Mesh grids protect loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta nests from red fox Vulpes vulpes predation

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 82; no. 1; pp. 109 - 111
• Main Authors: Yerli, S., Canbolat, A.F., Brown, L.J., Macdonald, D.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.10.1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Caretta caretta; conservation; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine; nesting; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; predation; red fox; turtle; Vulpes vulpes; Asia; Turkey; red fox; predation; conservation; nesting; turtle; Fissipedia; Carnivora; Endangered species; Caretta caretta; Grid; Beaches; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Chelonia; Efficiency; Reptilia; Predation; Nest; Animal conservation; Protection; Vulpes vulpes
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(97)00003-7

The efficacy of protecting loggerhead Caretta caretta turtle nests from red fox Vulpes vulpes predation was examined at Dalyan beach, Turkey. Twenty-five nests were protected using individual wire mesh grids. Predation occurred at 63% of the 88 unprotected control nests. In contrast, no protected nests were predated. As a consequence, hatching success was significantly higher at protected nests than at control nests. The feasibility of adopting wire mesh grids as a routine method for turtle nest conservation is evaluated.