Spatial ecology of translocated and resident Amur ratsnakes (Elaphe schrenckii) in two mountain valleys of South Korea

Published source details Lee J.H. & Park D. (2011) Spatial ecology of translocated and resident Amur ratsnakes (Elaphe schrenckii) in two mountain valleys of South Korea. Asian Herpetological Research, 2, 223-229.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Snakes Action Link

Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Snakes

A replicated, controlled study in 2008–2009 in two areas of montane mixed oak forest in central South Korea (Lee & Park 2011) found that some translocated Amur ratsnakes Elaphe schrenckii survived 10 months after release. Five of 11 translocated ratsnakes and two of two resident ratsnakes were alive 10 months after release. Within 10 days of release, three translocated snakes died (two were killed by predators) and two translocated snakes lost transmitter signal. One further translocated snake was lost later in the study. In July 2008, thirteen ratsnakes were surgically implanted with radio-transmitters and released into two valleys in a national park (288 km²). Two ratsnakes were locally-captured resident females that were released back to their original location (one/valley). Eleven ratsnakes had been illegally collected at least 9 km away from the release sites in April–July 2008 and, after being requisitioned by the police and park rangers, were kept in captivity prior to being translocated (five were released in one valley, six in another). All snakes were radio-tracked July 2008–May 2009: weekly in July–December 2008 and April–May 2009, and monthly in January–March 2009. All translocated snakes that were still being tracked at the end of the study were recaptured and put into a captive breeding programme.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)