Study

Survival of the western pond turtle (Emys marmorata) in an urban California environment

  • Published source details Spinks P.Q., Pauly G.B., Crayon J.J. & Shaffer H.B. (2003) Survival of the western pond turtle (Emys marmorata) in an urban California environment. Biological Conservation, 113, 257-267.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

    A study in 1994–2001 in an altered waterway in an urban setting in California, USA (Spinks et al. 2003) found that some released head-started western pond turtles Actinemys marmorata survived for 1–5 years after release. Hatching success of artificially incubated eggs from wild-caught females was 53%. Twenty-one of 33 (64%) head-started turtles were recaptured at least once, 1–5 years following release. In 1994–1998, some wild-caught, gravid females were hormonally induced, and eggs were collected and incubated in moist vermiculite. Hatchlings were raised for six months (4 individuals) or two years (27 individuals) and then released. Turtles were captured by hand, dip net, basking net and baited traps, as well as collecting turtles in 1997 and 1998 from the drained wetland while maintenance was occurring.

    (Summarised by: Maggie Watson, William Morgan)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust