The efficacy of relocating wild northern bobwhites prior to breeding season
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Published source details
Theron M., Terhune D., Sission C. & Stribling H.L. (2006) The efficacy of relocating wild northern bobwhites prior to breeding season. Journal of Wildlife Management, 70, 914-921.
Published source details Theron M., Terhune D., Sission C. & Stribling H.L. (2006) The efficacy of relocating wild northern bobwhites prior to breeding season. Journal of Wildlife Management, 70, 914-921.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Translocate gamebirds Action Link |
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Translocate gamebirds
A controlled study between March 1997 and September 1998 in Georgia, USA (Theron et al. 2006), compared the survival and reproduction rates of 74 translocated and 166 resident northern bobwhite Colinus virginianus. No differences were found between the survival, nest production, or nest survival rates of relocated and resident bobwhites using direct observation and radiotelemetry data. Fifty percent of relocated and resident bobwhites died within 123 and 129 days of capture, respectively, with avian predation the greatest cause of mortality (53.3%). Home range size and distances moved from release sites were also all similar for relocated and resident bobwhites. Subsequently, in March and April 2000-2002, 202 wild bobwhites were translocated to three different sites identified as having low population densities relative to surrounding areas. Significant population growth was observed at two of three translocation sites relative to non-translocated areas (108% vs. 16.5% and 56.7% vs. 12.4%, respectively). The third site showed a non-significant increase in population at the relocation site compared to non-relocation areas.
