Comparisons of Lethal and Nonlethal Techniques to Reduce Raccoon Depredation of Sea Turtle Nests
Ratnaswamy MJ, Warren RJ, Kramer MT, Adam MD. 1997. Comparisons of Lethal and Nonlethal Techniques to Reduce Raccoon Depredation of Sea Turtle Nests. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 61(2):368-376
Depredation of sea turtle nests by raccoons (Procyon lotor) can hinder management attempts to increase recruitment of turtle hatchlings. We tested 3 techniques for their effectiveness in reducing raccoon predation on turtle nests. During 1993-94, direct comparisons of lethal removal, nonlethal conditioned taste aversion (CTA), and nest screening were conducted at Canaveral National Seashore (CNS), Florida. Lethal removal of 215 raccoons, at a level of about 50% of the population using the barrier beach, was not effective at reducing nest depredation. Nonlethal use of estrogen-laced eggs to induce conditioned taste aversion had no significant effect on nest depredation rate. Nest screening was the only treatment that significantly reduced nest depredation. Nest screening was labor-intensive and more expensive than lethal removal and CTA, but maintained raccoons as part of the coastal ecosystem while affording protection to sea turtle nests.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Ratnaswamy, Mary; Warren, Robert; Kramer, Monique; Adam, Michael
- Units
- CANA
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Depredation, Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Sea Turtles (Cheloniidae & Dermochelyidae)