Giant tortoise Geochelone gigantea translocation to curieuse island (seychelles): Success or failure?

An experimental translocation of Aldabran giant tortoises Geochelone gigantea to Curieuse in the granitic Seychelles is evaluated. Between 1978 and 1982, 250 animals were released; 117 remained by 1990. Poaching occurs, and recruitment to five years is very low, probably due to feral predators. Some...

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Veröffentlicht in:Biological conservation 1994, Vol.69 (3), p.293-299
1. Verfasser: Hambler, Clive
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:An experimental translocation of Aldabran giant tortoises Geochelone gigantea to Curieuse in the granitic Seychelles is evaluated. Between 1978 and 1982, 250 animals were released; 117 remained by 1990. Poaching occurs, and recruitment to five years is very low, probably due to feral predators. Some adults are diseased, and low growth and reproductive rates suggest saturation of resources even at low density. Endemic vegetation has not suffered, but tortoises spread exotics. The ‘Curieuse Experiment’ has furthered tortoise ecology, but failed to establish a wild colony partly because the reasons for the original absence of tortoises were unclear. Reintroduction to the granitic Frégate Island has been comparatively successful.
ISSN:0006-3207
1873-2917
DOI:10.1016/0006-3207(94)90429-4