Conservation measures for a population of Hermann's tortoise Testudo hermanni in southern France bisected by a major highway

• Published in: Biological conservation Vol. 79; no. 2; pp. 251 - 256
• Main Authors: Guyot, Ghislaine, Clobert, Jean
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; conservation; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; motorway; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; relocation; Testudo hermanni; tortoise Testudo hermanni; Provence Côte d'Azur; France; Europe; Var; conservation; relocation; motorway; tortoise Testudo hermanni; Vertebrata; Testudo hermanni; Chelonia; Wildlife passage; Highway; Area planning; Population translocation; Reptilia; Fence; Perturbation; Animal conservation
• ISSN: 0006-3207; 1873-2917
• DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(96)00082-1

Between May 1989 and October 1990 a highway was constructed through the core area of one of the largest French populations of Testudo hermanni, a species seriously threatened by habitat loss and habitat fragmentation. Two general strategies were used to alleviate negative impacts of the highway on the tortoise population: first, 300 tortoises, that were directly affected by the highway construction, were temporarily maintained in outdoor enclosures and relocated after construction was completed; secondly, attempts were made to reduce traffic impacts on the tortoise population, including the use of fences to keep tortoises off the road and the construction of culverts and a tunnel under the road to provide for movements of animals between the separated habitat areas. The short-term outcome of this conservation exercise was a success: the annual survival rate of 78% observed in reintroduced tortoises was comparable to published results of translocation of other tortoise species into unfamiliar habitat; traffic mortality of tortoises in the 4 years following highway construction was low and mark-recapture results indicate a stable adult population and the use of the culverts and the tunnel by tortoises to cross the road.