Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Burger, M., & Branch, W. R. (1994). Tortoise mortality caused by electrified fences in the thomas baines nature reserve. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 24(1-2), 32–37.
Added by: Admin (27 Jun 2009 12:36:18 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Burger1994 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Chersina, Chersina angulata, Habitat = habitat, Pelomedusa, Pelomedusa subrufa, Pelomedusidae, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Stigmochelys, Stigmochelys pardalis, Südafrika = Southern Africa, Testudinidae Creators: Branch, Burger Collection: South African Journal of Wildlife Research |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Fifty-two tortoises, comprising 50 leopard tortoises Geochelone pardalis, one angulate tortoise Chersina angulata and one marsh terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa were found dead along 8,4 km of electrified fences in the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, eastern Cape Province. Sixteen of these mortalities occurred during a 132-day study period. Assuming reduced tortoise activity in winter, a conservative mortality rate of about 30 tortoises per year is estimated along the electrified fence in the reserve. Using regression curves based on detailed measurements of 109 leopard tortoises, the total length and shell height of 42 of the electrocuted animals were calculated from their plastron lengths. Most tortoises (93%) killed were young adults (200-400 mm total length). The height of the electrified wire measured at the point of electrocution of 30 dead tortoises was, with one exception, less than 200 mm above ground level. To reduce tortoise mortality in the reserve it is recommended that the electrified wire height be maintained at at least 250 mm above ground level, and that the fences be powered only at night.
Added by: Admin |