Study

Nesting ecology and conservation of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Published source details Lima E.P.E., Wanderlinde J., de Almeda D.T., Lopez G. & Goldberg D.W. (2012) Nesting ecology and conservation of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 11, 249-254.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Sea turtles

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Sea turtles

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Relocate nests/eggs to a nearby natural setting (not including hatcheries): Sea turtles

    A replicated, controlled study in 2004–2011, along 100 km of sandy beach in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (Lima et al. 2012) found that relocating loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta nests to nearby locations on the beach resulted in lower hatching success compared to nests left in situ. Hatching success was lower for relocated nests than for nests left in situ in six of seven seasons (relocated: 57–69%; in situ: 73–81%). In addition, hatching success was also lower for nests relocated to an on-beach hatchery in six of seven seasons (61–66%) compared to in situ nests. In the nesting seasons of 2004–2011 beaches were patrolled daily, and nests were transferred to a safe location on the beach (24–172 nests/season); moved to an on-beach hatchery (231–1,015 nests/season); or left in situ (8–316 nests/season). Those nests not taken to the hatchery were covered with a wire mesh screen. After hatchling emergence, nests were excavated to assess hatching success.

    (Summarised by: William Morgan)

  2. Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Sea turtles

    A replicated, controlled study in 2004–2011 along 100 km of sandy beach in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil (Lima et al. 2012) found that relocating loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta nests to an on-beach hatchery resulted in lower hatching success compared to nests left in in situ. Hatching success was lower for hatchery nests than for nests left in situ in six of seven seasons (hatchery: 61–74%; in situ: 73–81%), and similar in one season (hatchery: 65%; in situ: 79%). In the nesting seasons of 2004–2011 beaches were patrolled daily, and nests were either moved to an on-beach hatchery (231–1,015 nests/season) or left in situ (8–316 nests/season). After hatchling emergence, nests were excavated to assess hatching success.

    (Summarised by: William Morgan)

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