Dramatic and immediate improvements in insular nesting success for threatened sea turtles and shorebirds following predator management
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Published source details
Engeman R.M., Duffiney A., Braem S., Olsen C., Constantin B., Small P., Dunlap J. & Griffin J.C. (2010) Dramatic and immediate improvements in insular nesting success for threatened sea turtles and shorebirds following predator management. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 395, 147-152.
Published source details Engeman R.M., Duffiney A., Braem S., Olsen C., Constantin B., Small P., Dunlap J. & Griffin J.C. (2010) Dramatic and immediate improvements in insular nesting success for threatened sea turtles and shorebirds following predator management. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 395, 147-152.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Remove or control predators using lethal controls: Sea turtles Action Link |
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Remove or control predators using lethal controls: Sea turtles
A controlled, before-and-after study in 2006–2008 on two barrier islands in Florida, USA (Engeman et al. 2010) found that eradication of racoons Procyon lotor and feral pigs Sus scrofa resulted in lower predation rates of loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta nests compared to sites with no predator control. Predation of sea turtle nests was lower following predator removal (0–16% of 2–143 nests) compared to before predator removal began (60–84% of 20–76 nests). Two study islands were established with no predator control taking place in 2006. Control of raccoons and feral swine began in 2007 on one island and in 2008 on the other. Raccoons and pigs were captured in baited traps, and free-roaming pigs were also shot with a noise suppressed rifle. Sea turtle nests were monitored by patrolling beaches in the morning during the turtle nesting season noting new nests and evidence of predation.
(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, William Morgan)
