Movement, spatial ecology, and habitat selection of translocated Gould's wild turkeys

Abstract

AbstractTranslocations have aided restoration of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) across North America and are used to help establish sustainable, local populations even now. Because successful restocking relies on individuals remaining close to the release site to reduce movement‐based mortalities, a close examination of behaviors and factors affecting site selection can improve survival of translocated birds and enhance translocation success. Therefore, we assessed movements and habitat selection following translocation of 16 Gould's wild turkeys (M. g. mexicana) radiotagged with GPS‐VHF transmitters in Arizona. We assessed daily distance traveled, range size, distance from release site, and habitat selection from release to 120 days post‐release. Turkeys increased space use ~35 days post‐release. After 70 days post‐release, individuals shifted their behaviors to exploitation and individual maintenance, which was characterized by decreasing movements and space use. Turkeys had high release site fidelity and remained 1,352.2 ± 318.7 m (x̄ ± SE) from the release site 120 days post‐release. Distance between daily roost sites stabilized around day 50, and turkeys were within 89.8 ± 49.9 m (x̄ ± SE) of the previous night's roosting site by day 120. Gould's wild turkeys selected for riparian areas throughout the study period and selected for pine (Pinus spp.)‐juniper (Juniperus spp.) woodland for the first 60 days post‐release; thereafter pine‐juniper woodland was used in proportion to availability. Gould's wild turkeys used open‐herbaceous areas and pine–oak (Quercus spp.) woodland in proportion to availability. Our results indicate that Gould's wild turkeys take about 70 days to integrate into a new local environment following translocation, and riparian areas are a critical component of Gould's wild turkey habitat within the southwestern United States. Managers should ensure riparian areas are protected and restored before translocating Gould's wild turkeys to facilitate translocation success and persistence of Gould's wild turkey populations.