Monitoring zandhagedis na translocatie

Monitoring of sand lizards after translocation The rigorous rejuvenation of a patch of heathland in the Dutch province Utrecht led to the translocation 146 sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) in 2009. The necessity of this translocation follows the regulations set by the Dutch Flora and Fauna legislation. A total of 146 lizards were caught in the source location, photographed, and relocated to a suitable reception site where other sand lizards were already present. After relocation, two locations were monitored, both during 14 visits; (1) one site between the source location and the relocation site, and (2) one site within the relocation site. Within the fi rst monitoring site, 33 unique lizards were seen and photographed. None of these individuals were part of the relocated population. During the monitoring within the relocation site, 63 unique individuals were seen and photographed, of which six were previously relocated from the source site. From the 146 relocated sand lizards, only a 10% was found in the relocation area. The ultimate fate of the other 90% translocated individuals is unknown. Other sand lizards were already present in the relocation area in high densities, competition for resources may have led to intraspecific competition which may have led to fi ghting with stress, death and possible migration of translocated individuals as a result. It’s questionable whether the relocation of sand lizards in this manner is indeed a viable solution. Suggestions and recommendations improving these prescribed translocations are described in this paper. Bij ingrepen in het leefgebied van de zandhagedis is een ontheffng van de Wet natuurbescherming noodzakelijk. Wordt het leefgebied geheel of gedeeltelijk vernietigd dan wordt door het bevoegd gezag bijna altijd in de onthe! ng opgenomen dat de aanwezige zandhagedissen gevangen en verplaatst moeten worden naar een geschikt terrein elders. Deze translocaties vinden meerdere keren per jaar plaats. Er vallen bij de ingreep in het leefgebied dan wel geen slachtoffers, maar hoe het de uitgezette hagedissen vergaat en wat het voor de populatie betekent is onbekend. Er bestaan daarover maar weinig publicaties. In 2010 was Bureau Viridis in de gelegenheid de effecten van het verplaatsen te monitoren