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Turtle Survival Alliance August 2008

Turtle Survival Alliance August 2008

TSATurtle Survival Alliance AUGUST 2008 An IUCN Partnership Network for Sustainable Captive Management of Freshwater & — www.TurtleSurvival.org M itc h k a l mans o n

Giant Yangtze Softshell , swinhoei (See article p. 4) 1 From the TSA Co-Chairs

As you read this eighth edition of the TSA newsletter, reflect back on how far this publication has come since 2001. It’s difficult to continue to call this a newsletter. Perhaps TSA magazine or annual report would be a better name. Regardless, we hope you like the new polished format and appreciate the extra pages. Putting this publication together takes more and more effort every year, and that is certainly a positive reflection on the growth of our organization. We have a lot going on around the globe, and our reputation for doing good turtle conservation work continues to grow. The TSA is becoming well known for taking decisive conservation action and being unafraid to take risks when situ- ations warrant. There can be no better example of this than our top story for 2008--the historic attempt to breed the last two Yangtze giant softshell turtles, Rafetus swinhoei, in .

Under the able leadership of Dr.Gerald Kuchling, and with superb support and assistance from Lu Shunquing of WCS-China, an agreement was reached to unite the only known living female Rafetus at Changsha Zoo with an ancient male at Suzhou Zoo. At least three workshops were held to reach this agreement. But once this happened, TSA began to raise funds in anticipation of an event we knew would be expensive, high profile, and risky. Our only comfort was the realization that doing nothing was riskier. By April 2008, all the preparations had been made, the final pieces were in place, and Team Rafetus arrived in China the first week of May. China Girl was transported more than 600 miles by van to Suzhou, and within two days, the Team was reporting exciting signs of interactions. On Day 3, an attempted breeding was witnessed, and remarkably, just weeks later, the female nested, depositing 45 . More and more, this event looks like something that was just meant to be, and if we are successful, it will be a lasting tribute to the careers of all involved. It will certainly be recorded as TSA’s proudest moment, so far.

Our programs in and continue to gain traction and attract the attention of the donor community, which reflects well on the success of those efforts. In addition to Batchelor Foundation funding for both of those programs in 2007, we received significant grants from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (India), the Beneficia Foundation (India), Natures Own (India), and the British Chelonia Group (India and Burma). In 2008, we kicked off a Madagascar program with funding from Batchelor Foundation and Natures Own, targeting two endemic tortoises, the phoughshare and the spider .

Also in 2008, we are coordinating a TSA-specific version of the Asian Scholarship Program. Targeting biologists who are actually working on TSA programs in range countries, this opportunity is designed to provide training in skills better suited to the work they do. This summer, two colleagues from the WCS-Myanmar turtle conservation program, Khin Myo Myo and Kyaw Moe, are in the U.S. undergoing a broad range of training opportunities that will conclude at the annual conference in Tucson.

We are making a serious effort to communicate more effectively with the TSA membership, and the new E-newsletter has become an effective vehicle for getting our message out and keeping you up to date on all that is going on. We were skeptical that there would be enough material to report every two weeks, but surprisingly we have not had a problem finding content. Our ultimate goal is to make the TSA web site the place to go for turtle and tortoise conservation news. We hope you are finding both beneficial. Thanks to Sandy Binns for her tireless work in keeping them timely.

As we write this, plans for the Sixth Annual Symposium on Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles are in full swing, as we return to the West in 2008, to Tucson, Arizona. This will be our third conference held in conjunction with the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, and it has already become the world’s largest gathering of non-marine turtle folks. We owe special thanks again this year to TSA Conference chairman Lonnie McCaskill for another great, repeat performance to pull this event together (with the enthusiastic support of the Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau), and to Program chairman Don Boyer who, with the various session chairs, has organized an outstanding conference program. To our many conference supporters and volunteers who help to make this event special, we sincerely thank you.

Finally we pause to reflect on the strength of the TSA and what keeps this organization at the forefront of turtle conservation. We continue to believe that our core strength comes from the partnerships that have always been our foundation. However, there is something less tangible that unites us and keeps us motivated. Recognizing that the turtle conservation community is composed of many strong and dominant per- sonalities who are bound to clash from time to time, we believe it is our shared vision that allows us to put those differences aside and move on together for the greater good--the greater good being turtle and tortoise conservation. Together, we can and must put our passion for turtles to work for their survival.

Rick Hudson and Dwight Lawson Co-Chairs, Turtle Survival Alliance

2 August 2008 turtle survival alliance In This Issue

Features

4 cover Story 8 Membership TURTLE SURVIVAL 10 Management and Husbandry ALLIANCE BOARD 12 • Significant Breedings 16 • Short Husbandry Articles Rick Hudson 18 • Behler Chelonian Conservation Center Co-Chair Executive Committee 20 • Maintaining Giant Asian Softshells in Captivity TSA US Co-Chair 22 tSA Europe Dwight Lawson Co-Chair Executive Committee Range Country Programs TSA US Co-Chair 26 india Kevin Buley 36 Madagascar Executive Committee TSA Europe Vice-Chair 43 44 Hans Dieter Philippen 46 Mauritis Executive Committee 48 Myanmar TSA Europe Vice-Chair

Hank Zwartepoorte exclusives, news, & announcements Executive Committee TSA Europe Chair 52 a Taste of Thai Anders Rhodin 52 1st TSA Training Scholarship Program Ex-officio Executive Committee 53 Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Hero Award IUCN TFTSG Chair 55 British Chelonia Group U.S. Steering Committee 56 the Turtle Conservation Fund Sheri Ashley 59 nature's Own Sandra Binns 60 Donor Recognition Don Boyer Kurt Buhlmann Andy Daneault Scott Davis For membership information, or to contact the TSA please visit: www. Orlando Diaz-Figueroa TurtleSurvival.org Or send your correspondence to: Turtle Survival Alliance 1989 Ray Farrell Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth TX 76110 Greg Fleming Greg George WWW. TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG Cris Hagen Brian Horne Heather Lowe Lonnie McCaskill Bill Ninesling Hugh Quinn Sam Rivera Chuck Schaffer Paul vander Schouw Darrell Senneke Brett Stearns Chris Tabaka Bill Zeigler

August 2008 TSA newsletter © 2008 TSA

Design & Layout: John Binns www.IRCF.org 48

international conservation foundation brian d . ho rn e turtle survival alliance August 2008 3 Cover Story

Historic Efforts to Save the World’s Rarest Turtle

Gerald Kuchling

t the TSA conference in 2005, Dr. APeter Pritchard reported that five live specimens of Rafetus swinhoei were known to exist in Chinese institutions. Since then, the specimen at Beijing Zoo died in late 2005 and the one at Shanghai Zoo died in late 2006. Fortunately, following a TSA-sponsored workshop in January 2007, Dr. Lu Shunqing and I identified an additional live female Rafetus swinhoei at Changsha Zoo. It was obvious that captive breeding had to be tried, but none of the three Chinese institutions then holding Rafetus were willing to offer their animal for a breeding loan (see TSA Newsletter August 2007). Instead, in 2007 an agreement was reached, signed, and stamped by Changsha Zoo, Suzhou Zoo, and WCS- China to perform artificial insemination in to try to propagate the last individuals. In the meantime, the last remaining specimen of Rafetus in the West Garden Buddhist G e ra l d Kuc hl in g Temple in Suzhou died in August 2007 (the Female Rafetus basking comfortably at theSuzhou Zoo, China. purported second Rafetus there has not been seen for many years). Suddenly, only two old individuals were left—both in Chinese institutions. following electro-ejaculation to collect his means seemed out of reach. The Chinese side The situation captured the attention of the sperm for artificial insemination, is still living considered natural breeding too risky, and TSA media, and in early December 2007, Jim memory. That has not been bred in threatened to pull out of the project if artificial Yardley reported in the New York Times that the United States since then. insemination was tried prior to an attempt the world’s last known female Yangtze giant at natural mating. However, for natural softshell turtle was living in one Chinese zoo, The very last male Rafetus in China was breeding attempts, TSA offered to fund the while the only known male in China was not a sound candidate to un-earth and try necessary modifications of a pond at Suzhou living in another—and this aging pair was this procedure. On the other hand, to use Zoo, to organize and pay for the transport of the last hope of saving the largest freshwater the Suzhou male for natural mating and the female from Changsha to Suzhou (about turtle in the world. To make use of this insemination was not without risk either. The 1,000 km), to organize an insurance policy for international attention, TSA sent me (GK) last time a Rafetus specimen had been moved the female, and to cover the insurance costs to China to negotiate an agreement with into his pond in order to attempt breeding, for her transport and a two-months period Chinese stakeholders for the captive breeding about 15 years ago, an epic battle started afterward during which she would be paired of Rafetus at a workshop organized by WCS- immediately and he killed his intended with the male. This last aspect finally allowed China in late 2007. A major hurdle was to partner the same day. His battle scars are still Changsha Zoo to agree to a compromise: to dissuade the Chinese delegates from executing evident today—he lost about half the leathery attempt natural breeding first in the spring of their already signed and stamped agreement back flap of his carapace. 2008 and to try artificial insemination only to perform artificial insemination. With later if natural breeding failed. To make this only one very old male remaining, collecting These historic facts ensured animated project as safe as possible and to ensure the best sperm would simply be too risky. The demise and lively discussions at the workshop in timing for successful breeding, the following of the male ploughshare tortoise, December 2007. Until five minutes to its end, rational was used and the following strategies yniphora, at Honolulu Zoo 24 years ago, an agreement for captive breeding by natural and timetables were developed:

4 August 2008 turtle survival alliance • Both male and female are allowed to killer three times the body mass of the the window of opportunity to pair her with hibernate undisturbed in their respective female, would think of “making love rather the male prior to ovulation had narrowed ponds in Suzhou Zoo and Changsha Zoo than war.” It would also offer the best chance considerably. The two vans organized for during the winter of 2007/08. that the female, an 80+ year old presumed her transport proved to be too small for the virgin (see TSA Newsletter August 2007 for wooden box. Mitch had to organize a third, • In the meantime, a separate but adjacent her history), would be receptive and would larger, air-conditioned van from Shanghai, pond at Suzhou Zoo is modified with a welcome advances of the male. which arrived in Changsha in the early dividing fence and gate and beach areas in afternoon of 05 May. A convoy of cars left both compartments. Changsha soon after. The entourage also included Chinese media and a PBS Nature • A tunnel is constructed between the film crew to document this event. male pond and the breeding pond through

which turtles can swim when the gate is mitc h k a l mans o n open.

• The female is transported from Changsha to Suzhou after she emerges from hibernation in mid-April, but prior to ovulating her first clutch of eggs (as Gerald Kuchling performs a reproductive assessed by ultrasound scanning). In 2007 evaluation of the female Rafetus at the Changsha prior to moving her to Suzhou. This exam helping to she ovulated in mid-May. pinpoint her ovulatory cycle and determine when she should be introduced to the male. • After transport to Suzhou, the female is first moved into one compartment of the breeding pond on her own.

• Only after the female settled down (a The countdown started in early 2008. TSA few days later), would the male be allowed and WCS did not take their responsibility to swim through the new tunnel from his lightly and assembled a formidable team of old pond into the compartment of the foreign experts to assist with the transport breeding pond adjacent to the female, but of the female and with her introduction to separated from the female by the dividing the male: Paul Calle, VMD (), Dr barrier. This way the male has to leave his Scott Davis (manager of the largest collection of giant softshell turtles outside of Asia),

territory of the last 50+ years and has to mitc h k a l mans o n swim into a new area to the female. Nimal Fernando (Ocean Park Hong Kong Scott Davis inspects the female in her specially veterinarian), Alex Grioni (Kadoorie Farm designed transport box, built by Kadoorie Farm and • The two turtles would be observed for and Botanic Garden veterinarian), and Mitch Botanic Garden. a few days as to how they respond to each Kalmanson who was contracted to insure other and behave while separated by the the female and to handle transportation grid through which they can see and smell logistics. The Chinese team included Dr Lu At least once every hour during the transport, each other. Shunqing of WCS-China and veterinarians the box was opened to check the female’s and staff from the Changsha and Suzhou temperature and water was sprinkled over • The sliding door between male and zoos. A large, foam-padded wood box was her. The female was fine during the 14-hour female is only opened if the presence of built for her transport at Kadoorie Farm and night drive to Suzhou, but the journey was large vitellogenic follicles in the female is Botanic Garden in Hong Kong, according not without drama: The driver of the big van confirmed by ultrasound scanning. to specifications by Scott and shipped to with the female had already come all the way Changsha Zoo. from Shanghai to Changsha before departing • In case of aggression and fighting, the to Suzhou. It is not surprising that during turtles are separated immediately. The first hurdles were delays in the the rainy night, he fell asleep at the wheel. construction of the breeding pond in To avoid a crash, Paul shouted and shook Timing of these events was obviously critical. Suzhou Zoo. China had an unusually harsh his shoulders while I grabbed the wheel. The most important aspect was that the and cold winter in 2008 with a lot of snow. The driver woke up with a start, and the van female had to have large vitellogenic or pre- Thus, the transport of theRafetus female had swerved perilously close to the guardrails. ovulatory follicles in her ovary at the time to be delayed from mid-April (as originally Another driver took over but we were on of her first introduction to the male. Due to planned) until early May, and all airline guard. We had to watch the drivers more her ovarian cycle as assessed by ultrasound tickets of the foreign experts had to be re- than the turtle. In the early morning, after a scanning in 2007 (see TSA Newsletter issued. My ultrasound examination of the sleepless night, a Suzhou cafe served us coffee August 2007), this occurs in late April/early female on 05 May showed large vitellogenic an hour before their opening time, after May. This would offer the best chance that follicles in her ovary and no signs of ovulation which we were ready to release the female the male, an old warrior and proven Rafetus yet, so the transport went ahead. However, into the breeding pond. turtle survival alliance August 2008 5 incubation, the TSA hired Emily King, a Chinese-American biologist who studied gopher tortoises in Florida for her masters and is fluent in Chinese. Emily will stay in Suzhou until incubation is completed. On 23 June, we dug up the nest and found 45 eggs. Probably due to the cool and rainy weather in June, they showed no signs of development (white patches). Thirty-two eggs (including five with cracks) were moved into the incubators and 13 were left in the nest together with a temperature data logger. After a few days in the incubators, most eggs showed white patches that continued to grow larger. We had fertile Rafetus eggs! By a hair’s breadth we barely missed the critical G e ra l d Kuc hl in g Female Rafetus basks with male in close attendance.

From then on, everything worked perfectly a proper nest hole in the sand, laid a clutch of and according to plan. Due to the earlier eggs, closed the nest, and concealed the place. delays this was also our only chance for In anticipation of this event, TSA had shipped success - the female had to be inseminated three incubators to China, but they were still prior to ovulation in order to produce fertile held up with customs at Shanghai airport. Lu eggs, and we could not control the time of Shunqing and I returned to Suzhou on 15 ovulation. We could not afford to loose June, the incubators arrived at the zoo on 20 more time and had to rush through the June, and they were set up with temperatures G e ra l d Kuc hl in g next steps. On 06 May, the female settled of 29, 31 and 33ºC. To help with monitoring The clutch as it first appeared after uncovering. in her pond without problems and seemed relaxed. On 07 May, the gate of the tunnel was opened and the male swam through into the breeding pond (he had obviously smelled the female and was keen to get there). After the male paced up and down the dividing fence without showing aggression, the gate was opened in the afternoon of 08 May and the pair met for the first time. All their interactions were friendly and they showed interest in each other. In the afternoon of 09 May, we observed for the first time the male mounting the female. Courtship and mating continued, on 14 May a possible copulation was observed. On 18 May, I left China, and on 19 May, Changsha and Suzhou zoos decided to separate the pair again out of fear that the turtles could damage each other.

Although the female had laid eggs in previous years, despite never having seen a male, she never had a nesting beach and always used to drop her eggs in the water. We were not sure what she would do now. However, on 06 June G e ra l d Kuc hl in g she walked up the beach just after lunch, dug Female Rafetus begins exploratory test digging at the nest site.

6 August 2008 turtle survival alliance G e ra l d Kuc hl in g G e ra l d Kuc hl in g Vice Director Yan Xiahui (Chnagsha Zoo) marking eggs. Recovering the first clutch of 45 eggs laid at the Suzhou Zoo.

time when we rushed to open the gate to let decades, the diet of the adults has been affect the viability and hatching success of them mate on 08 May. Due to the date of largely pieces of frozen and thawed meat the eggs. Some of the eggs had thinner shells her nesting she must have ovulated shortly without bones (beef, pork, chicken) and and cracks when we removed them from the afterwards, in mid-May. liver. The diet of the female was improved nest, indicating a calcium deficiency in the during 2007 and she now eats a lot of whole female. Although the two old turtles seem The breeding project is going as well as we freshwater crayfish, whole fish, and chicken to have done everything right so far, several could have possibly wished. However, success necks or other pieces with bones, but the diet management aspects of the project still have is still not guaranteed and not everything of the male is only slowly being improved. to be addressed including set ups for raising seems to be optimal. For many years or The nutrition of the female can obviously hatchlings and juveniles and improved adult nutrition.

This historic event has been costly but the turtle conservation community has responded generously to make this possible. For their support we sincerely thank the Wildlife Conservation Society, Turtle Conservation Fund/EAZA Shellshock, Batchelor Foundation, British Chelonia Group, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Walter Sedgwick, David Shapiro, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Karrie Chen and Allesandro Fornetti.

Gerald Kuchling Email: [email protected] CHELONIA ENTERPRISES 154 Bagot Road, Subiaco, WA 6008, Australia G e ra l d Kuc hl in g Vice Director Chen Daqin (Suzhou Zoo) and Lu Shunqing (WCS China) weighing Rafetus eggs.

turtle survival alliance August 2008 7 Membership

Members Make the Difference!

Heather Lowe, TSA Membership Coordinator

here has never been a more exciting time contribute to turtle conservation, regardless Tto be a member of the Turtle Survival of background or experience. Each and Alliance! In addition to the incredible every member has the ability to become an conservation success stories featured advocate for turtle conservation in their local throughout this publication, there are new community, increasing TSA’s presence around benefits available to members. The improved the world. The diversity of our membership TSA website features web forums to foster contributes to our success, and our next communication and sharing of information. initiative will be to highlight individuals that Public forums include a document and make the TSA the organization it is today— image library and a place to discuss the you! We have kick-started this initiative by latest TSA news. Members-only forums are featuring two members here – David Shapiro designed to share information about special and Michael Rapley. We hope you enjoy announcements, animal placement, and getting to know them and encourage you user-submitted updates to the website. to respond to an e-mail questionnaire you will all be receiving in the near future asking While exploring the new features of the you to introduce yourself to the group. We Name: David Shapiro TSA website, you are encouraged to log in want to meet you! Member profiles will be Hometown: Hong Kong and visit your account page. There, you can included in the weekly e-newsletter as well as update your contact information to ensure future publications like this one. Occupation: I work for my business. that you continue to receive both electronic We design, manufacture, and sell school  and mailed correspondence. Our newest supplies internationally. I recently moved to addition to our member benefits is our Hong Kong to manage our office here. It's weekly e-newsletter that features the latest in been a challenge, but I'm really happy and conservation news, event updates, and special enjoying my new life. Plus, I'm learning offers. This newsletter has received a wealth Cantonese which helps a lot. I miss my of positive feedback, and we hope that you family and friends - especially my nephews are all enjoying reading it each week. and niece but I wouldn't trade my new life for anything right now. I was at a point where This year, the membership has consistently I needed a change and I'm fortunate that my numbered more than 200 individuals, company gave me that opportunity. organizations, and institutions representing 12 countries. However, we’d like number Do you keep turtles at your home? I have a to be even higher! Funds generated by named Finn. Some friends membership dues help to offset the operating gave him to me as a gift this year. Finn and I costs of the TSA and allow access to non- are best buds. He's very content to sit with me restricted funds that can be used in the event on the couch and likes when I pet his head. of unexpected costs related to conservation Also, I take him to the park on the weekends projects around the world. In essence, your and let him roam around. Kids really gravitate support is essential to our success. Our most towards him and that’s fun to see. powerful recruitment tool is word of mouth from members like you. Please consider Membership has its privileges: TSA What first sparked your interest in turtles and forwarding your next e-newsletter to your members with special skills are sometimes tortoises? This is a question I get asked a lot. family and friends along with a personal note invited to participate in TSA field projects. In When I was a little boy my older sister wrote encouraging them to join and help the TSA 2007 Dave Manser (Ponds and Plants) traveled a paper on "How the turtle got its shell." I move into 2009 bigger and better than ever. to Myanmar and India to work on filtration and must have been about eight years old and pond design at headstarting facilities. she would have been 11. I remember that Our members are truly our greatest asset. As Dave is shown here carrying sand to for the I loved her story and since then I've been an an organization, we believe that anyone can Burmese roof turtle nesting area. obsessive turtle lover. 

8 August 2008 turtle survival alliance What do you enjoy about being a member of Colorado to Houston that my interest really the TSA? The thing about the TSA that is started to take shape. One nice thing about most profound to me is the overwhelming Houston is that its climate is conducive to successes. Every time I open the newsletter keeping many species of turtles outside year or visit the website it's more and more good round. A friend of mine in Colorado had news. Sometimes I'm just amazed by the a number of turtles that he thought would pictures and stories. The TSA is really making do well in Houston and to make a long story a difference and that makes me feel like, in short, a box of Cuora flavomarginata arrived my small part, I'm making a difference, too. a few days later. It was during my research I’m also learning a lot. My involvement with of this species that I learned of the plight of the TSA has taught me about many different Asian turtles and the direction for the next and interesting types of turtles from all over ten years of my life was set. There are days the world that I never knew existed. that I blame him for that, but mostly I thank him. j oe f l ana g an How did you first learn about the TSA? About five years ago someone forwarded me a press Name: Michael Rapley What is your most memorable encounter with release from the TSA highlighting some of Hometown: I was born in Alberta, Canada a turtle in the wild? Once on my way home the world’s most endangered turtles. After and grew up in Parker, Colorado from work I found a large snapping turtle reading it, I decided to send a donation to that had been hit by a car. After a bit of a help the cause. From there, I started to really Occupation: I am a Countermeasures struggle, I took it home to an empty stock discover all the things the TSA did. The Operations Manager for NASA, supporting tank in my garage where it could stay until it more I learned, the more I realized the group the health of the astronauts aboard the was “better”. I woke the following morning was truly making a difference and I knew I International Space Station (ISS) and Shuttle. around 3 a.m. to my dogs barking relentlessly wanted to help. Working for NASA is truly fantastic in that in the kitchen. The “injured” snapper had the work that is being done will at some point managed to climb out of the stock tank, Have you ever tried to educate others about be written about in history books. There through a doggy door, and was proceeding turtles and turtle conservation? Yes I have, is something very satisfying and patriotic to claw its way through the French doors of in several ways. One of the things that I’ve about being part of the team who is putting my kitchen. Needless to say, at that point he observed in Hong Kong is the way turtles humans into space, keeping them up there was deemed “healed” and was released a few are perceived and treated here. They are for long periods of time and taking them to hours later. very common as pets and yet proper care is the moon, Mars, and beyond. not understood. My friends who bought What do you enjoy about being a member of the me Finn also bought a turtle for themselves Tell us about your family. My wife and I have TSA? What do you get out of it on a personal (named Olivia). They were surprised when I been married for ten years and have two level? The benefit of participating in the TSA explained all the things they needed to do to amazing kids. We met in college and I love is the knowledge that we are all working care for her – the pet store had not provided her more today than the day we met. My together in an effort to prevent the them with any of that information. Now they six-year-old son loves spending time outside, of turtles and tortoises. Stepping back and know and she is treated like a queen. building with Legos and watching Star looking at the big picture you realize just Wars. My two-year-old daughter is fiercely how vast and complex this crisis is and it is I have another friend here in Hong Kong independent, loves “helping”, painting and only by working together that we can truly whose family has always had turtles in their digging for worms. The fact that I have a have a chance at preserving these amazing home for "good luck." She said she never number of spengleri who could benefit from creatures. paid any attention to the turtle in her home a weight-loss program is a tribute to her How would you describe your personal until she met me and now she says "hello and enthusiasm. conservation philosophy? Do as much as you good bye" every time she sees it. That may can with what you've got. seem like a silly thing to note as a success, but What first sparked your interest in turtles and it's actually a major change in mind set. For tortoises? Like many people the seeds that  her to see the turtle as a living animal and have ended up defining who I am today not just a "good luck charm" is an important were planted during my childhood. I grew step. up chasing and reading about snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles and whatever else I could Lastly, I've been writing to friends and family find. My favorite book was titled “Strangest about the Rafetus efforts and everyone is Creatures of the World.” I must have read fascinated, anxious and excited. I've been it a couple hundred times and still have it blown away by how the story has touched so today. The deepened appreciation for turtles many people who had not previously had an probably started about 15 years ago when Questions about membership? Contact: interest in turtles. a friend sent me two baby turtles that he Heather Lowe, Membership Coordinator  had hatched from a raccoon-raided turtle 817/239-8981 [email protected] nest. However, it wasn’t until I moved from turtle survival alliance August 2008 9 Animal Management and Husbandry

Animal Management Update

Dwight Lawson, TSA US Co-Chair

SA’s animal management policies, that fall into this category, you won’t to interested members. This questionnaire Tpractices and goals have evolved and be subjected to another fee, but do expect helped facilitate the placement of the animals changed since the organization’s inception – to hear from us soon regarding permanent with individuals having species specific and 2008 and beyond will be no exception. adoption. You may have already noticed a experience, ideal housing accommodations We have constantly struggled to track and number of specimens coming up for adoption for multiple age classes, veterinary care, and a manage a diverse and ever-growing turtle via the new email list serve. Look for more willingness to participate with the TSA species and tortoise collection numbering in the streamlined communication and regular coordinator (Andy Daneault) in population thousands and spread over an almost equally animal management updates and animal management plans. Animals were then diverse group of recipients. At the same availability as part of these notices. divided into appropriate breeding groups and time, the TSA has made several attempts to  placed with 17 private TSA members and one forge closer ties between its captive colonies TSA/AZA Institutional member. and field initiatives as well as to focus our management efforts on those species that African This group of tortoises will increase the genetic would benefit from ex situ colonies. During Confiscation Update diversity of the U.S. African Pancake tortoise the 2008 Steering Committee meeting, the population, which is essential for long-term Animal Management Committee made Andy Daneault captive management. For this reason, the several decisions focused on these efforts. Assistant Curator of Ectotherms TSA pancake tortoise population will be Some have already begun to be implemented, Disney’s Animal Kingdom included in the upcoming second edition of and some you will notice over the next several the AZA African pancake tortoise studbook months. and Population Management Plan. Each n March 2006, the TSA received a individual in the TSA population represents As part of an on-going evaluation of priority Iconfiscation of 83 African pancake a potential founder for the U.S. population, species, we now group species into three tortoises, Malacochersus tornieri. For many which will now include the TSA managed High priority basic categories. species logistical reasons, these tortoises could not be animals and the AZA managed animals. The are those being actively managed as an released back into their native habitat. The partnership between the TSA and AZA is a assurance colony and/or a species for which TSA took on the challenge to manage and valuable asset in successfully managing these there is little hope for in situ efforts in the place the animals in captivity. animals in captivity. near future. Turtle placements will be open to all currently active TSA members, but placements of high priority specimens will be made with qualified recipients through an application and evaluation process overseen by the Animal Management Committee and/or the designated species coordinator t (formerly TMG coordinator). TSA will maintain ownership of the specimens, but share offspring through a standard loan agreement. The Committee tested the new and y dan e au l process by reviewing applications and placing seven recently-purchased Cuora mccordi Upon arrival in Florida, members from the To this end, the first breeding success from among one private and three institutional TSA Animal Management group and TSA confiscated animals was reported by TSA members. Lower priority specimens will be members assisted in triaging the tortoises. member Bill Holmstrom at the Bronx Zoo, placed on loan in a similar fashion, but are During this time, tortoises were marked and New York. Bill has successfully hatched three subject to less stringent control. The lowest implanted with transponders for permanent pancake tortoises from the 2006 confiscation priority species will be permanently adopted identification. and reports that more eggs are incubating. or donated to recipients for a minimal fee Several other members have reported eggs without any future reporting obligation on Prior to transferring the pancake tortoises to being laid and are anticipating successful the recipient. If you are currently holding TSA members, a questionnaire was distributed hatchings in the future.

10 August 2008 turtle survival alliance If you are interested in becoming involved them either semi-aquatic or totally terrestrial. with this project, please contact: It is interesting to note that breeding has occurred in all three setups. Andy Daneault Disney’s Animal Kingdom The monthly temperature data from Guangxi [email protected] Province indicates that temperatures start  dropping below 15° C in October and continue to drop below 10º C in January. By late February - early March, temperatures Taxon Management Group Plan begin rising to a high above 15º C . Based on for McCord’s In order to prepare a Taxon Management this data, it appears that C. mccordi becomes Plan (TMP), it was necessary to determine inactive between October and March and Ray Farrell may hibernate for part of this time. [email protected] how many C. mccordi are currently in private 31 Fagette St., Staten Island, NY 10305 and zoo collections in the U.S. and Europe. In 1999, Jim Barzyk estimated there were Three of the TMG members put their turtles 350 specimens worldwide in captivity, through a hibernation period at temperatures , cCord’s box turtle, Cuora mccordi and in 2000, Elmar Meier estimated that ranging from 7 -13º C, for two to four Mwas first described by Ernst in 1988, approximately 70 specimens were in the U.S. months during the winter, with no negative based on a series of 12 individuals obtained and 100 specimens in Europe. A review of effects. I recently met an individual who lives from a Hong Kong turtle dealer in the early the ISIS database indicated that three U.S. in New Jersey and has had several adult C. 1980s. The turtles were reported to have been zoos have this species in their collections. mccordi living outdoors year-round since the purchased near the city of Baise/Bose/Paise The TSA membership inventory indicates 1980s. This is very similar to my experience . in southwestern Guangxi Province, China. that two members have C. mccordi in private with C. flavomarginata Visits by a number of researchers since that collections, and several individuals who are Nesting has been reported to occur time have failed to confirm their presence in not affiliated with TSA are also known to throughout the year, and females can double this area. The origin of this species remained have mccordi in their collections. Attempts clutch. Average clutch size is 2.5 (range 2-4 unknown for more than twenty-five years. are being made to contact these individuals eggs). Incubation period varies depending Despite our lack of knowledge on this to determine the turtles’ status. species, it appears clear that Cuora mccordi is on temperature. Those who hibernate their critically endangered and in all probability is Currently, there are 91 (18.41.32) C. mccordi turtles up to four months (November- biologically extinct in the wild. reported in the U.S. and represented in the February) report nesting occurring as early as TMG. Thirty-five of these are offspring from March. However, nesting can occur as late as Early this year, a paper was published by the original wild-caught founders. The good October. This late nesting might be due to Zhou, Blanck, McCord & Li in the journal news is that there appear to be 56 (17 males double clutching. Hamadryad (Centre for , Madras and 39 females) of the original adult founders Within the next year or two, we plan to Crocodile Bank Trust). This paper identifies still in collections, which were wild caught incubate eggs at 25º C to determine if the province where C. mccordi was collected and may represent different bloodlines. males are produced. If so, this will have a and answers a number of questions dealing This will have a positive impact on genetic positive impact on survival of this species. An with the turtle’s natural history. The authors diversity, assuming that breeding increases additional goal is to obtain USFWS permits recommended further fieldwork to clarify and members agree to exchange offspring to exchange F1 offspring with TSA Europe distribution and current population status, (F1s). In addition, TSA Europe reports 34 members. as well as improvements in captive breeding turtles in their studbook (5.19.10). We are programs to safeguard the future of this working to exchange several TSA C. mccordi species. (F1 offspring) with TSA Europe to improve genetic diversity. Although this species does well in captivity, only a few people have been able to breed this A questionnaire was distributed to all of the turtle consistently and have produced only TMG members to gather information on the females. It is possible that sex in this species husbandry, breeding, and the origin of the is determined by incubation temperature turtles. A brief summary of the data received (TSD), as is the case with a related species follows: Cuora flavomarginata (Farrell, unpublished data). The responses from the TMG members indicate that their turtles have been in Though is a significant amount of work will Earlier this year, TSA acquired seven captive captivity from 2 to more than 25 years. be necessary to ensure the survival of this hatched Cuora mccordi, five juveniles and Breeding success has been reported by three species, I remain confident we can meet this two sub-adults. Sex was determined by an TMG members. Some individuals maintain goal. This is, after all, what the TSA was endoscopic procedure. The results indicated C. mccordi in an aquatic environment with organized to do. that all are females. nesting and small land areas. Others keep  turtle survival alliance August 2008 11 Significant Breedings − The Next Generation

The Fort Worth Zoo reports that three Forsten’s Tortoises, forsteni, hatched on 2 April, 21 May and 5 July, 2008. Though exact laying dates are unknown, the eggs were retrieved from the nest in December 2007, January 2008 and March 2008. Incubation periods were 108, 114 and 121 days, at 29 °C, and two eggs from other clutches are still incubating. The Zoo’s group of 4.2 was assembled in late 2005 for inclusion in the conservation based chelonian and iguana collection at the Animal Outreach and Conservation Center (ARCC) that opened March 2006. ric k h uds o n

The Fort Worth Zoo also reports the hatching of 28 Roti Island Snakenecks, mccordi, between 5 March and 2 June 2008. This species is also managed in the ARCC collection along with Burmese Star Tortoises, platynota. g r eg c o s e ntin

Mike Rapley announced the hatching of two Four-eyed Turtles, quadriocellata, on 20 and 25 August 2007. The first turtle hatched after 79 days of incubation at 27° C with the second hatching a few days later using the same temps. An interesting observation was how different the two eggs looked. The eggs were laid around the same time, spread throughout the month of May 2007, from two separate breeding groups, each comprised of 2.4. The first group laid a total of six eggs that were relatively short, ~19 mm (3/4 inch) in length and ovoid in shape. The second group laid a total of seven eggs that were ~38 mm (1.5 inches) in length and noticeably narrower. Hatchlings have been set up outdoors under similar conditions as the adults. mi ke rap ley

12 August 2008 turtle survival alliance Ron de Bruin (Netherlands) reports on the first F2 breeding of the Chinese Golden-headed Box Turtle, Cuora aurocapitata. A captive bred female from1992 (see de Bruin and Zwartepoorte, Herp Rev 1994; 25 (2): 58-59) mated with a captive bred male (1996) from Elmar Meier, and laid a clutch of four eggs on 19 May 2007. A second captive bred female, also from 1992, laid a clutch of six eggs on 7 June 2007. From the first clutch, one egg hatched after 70 days incubation in vermiculite at 27.50 C. Two eggs from the second clutch hatched after 72 days at 290 C. One hatchling died after a week. The two hatchlings had a straight line carapace length of 3.5 and 3.8 cm, and weighed 11 and 12 grams, respectively. Ro n d e bruin

Brad Moxley reports that the Knoxville Zoo has hatched four more Asian Spiny Turtles, spinosa, since its last TSA update. The first three hatched in 2007 on 20 August, 4 December, and 13 December. The most recent addition hatched on 2 April 2008. Post-oviposition mass revealed that this newest hatchling came from a previously non-reproductive female. Incubation temperatures were a fairly consistent 27-28° C with one notable exception; the egg hatched on 13 December was not discovered immediately in the outdoor enclosure and therefore experienced temperatures as low as 6° C. All hatchlings are healthy and growing well. brad m oxley

Mrs. Lies Niessen in Belgium has reproduced the Southern Vietnamese Flowerback Box Turtle, Cuora picturata, for the past two years. Her breeding group consists of 2.4 animals and all females produce fertile eggs. In 2007 five hatchlings were produced from 13 eggs, and thus far in 2008 seven eggs have been laid of which have three have hatched. The eggs are incubated in vermiculite at two different temperatures (26 and 29° C). Incubation period varies between 94 days at 29 °C and 109 days at 26° C. l i e s ni ss n

turtle survival alliance August 2008 13 Significant Breeding - Continued

In the Netherlands, Richard Struijk reports that he hatched two Central Vietnamese Flowerback Box Turtles, Cuora bourreti. On the 19th of March 2008 a clutch of two eggs was produced. Eggs measured 54.2 x 30.0 mm and 55.1 x 30.0 mm and weighed 28 and 32 grams, respectively. Both eggs were incubated while buried up to 45% of their height in a damp mixture of cocopeat and sand, at temperatures ranging from 25-27º C. After 93 and 94 days both eggs hatched successfully. The hatchlings measured 50.0 mm and 45.9 mm and weighed 18 grams. These juveniles are the first bourreti ever hatched in the Netherlands. ric h ard stuij k

Richard Struijk reports one Southern Vietnamese Flowerback Box Turtle, Cuora picturata, hatched at his facility in 2008. A single egg was laid on 5 April 2008. The egg measured 57.9 x 31.0 mm and weighed 26 grams. Incubation technique was exactly the same as described above for C.bourreti. After 96 days, a 51.8 mm long and 20 gram heavy hatchling appeared. This juvenile is the first picturata ever bred in the Netherlands. Richard is the European Studbook Foundation (ESF) keeper for the galbinifrons complex of Asian box turtles including C. bourreti, C. galbinifrons & C. picturata. ric h ard struij k

Richard Struijk also reports that six Forsten's Tortoises, Indotestudo forsteni, were hatched between 2005 and 2007. 80% of the recorded clutches (n=10) contained only one egg with the remaining 20% consisting of two. Mean egg size was 52.2 x 35.9 mm (n =10) and weights ranged between 31 and 46 grams. Eggs were incubated in (slightly) damp vermiculite at 29-30º C. Hatchlings measured between 43.6 and 48.2 mm in size and between 26 and 31 grams in weight. In most cases hatchlings still had an incompletely resorbed yolk sack and stayed in the egg for 1-2 days before emerging completely. ric h ard struij k

14 August 2008 turtle survival alliance The Saint Louis Zoo reports that one McCord’s Box Turtle, Cuora mccordi, hatched on 19 June 2008. The incubation period was 67 days at ~ 25.0° C. This could be the first male hatched in captivity. At the current time five eggs from other clutches are still incubating. The Zoo’s original group of 3.6 was assembled in 1995 and 1998. Prior to the current hatching the Zoo had a single female hatch on 31 May 1997. ann e r mar k w

The Saint Louis Zoo also reports the hatching ofone Northern , arachnoides brygooi, on 20 June 2008. The egg was laid on 17 November 2007 and was initially incubated at 30° C for 10 weeks. A diapause was simulated for 8 weeks at temperature of 22.2° C. The egg was then returned to 30° C for the duration of the incubation. ann e r M ar k w

The Fort Worth Zoo celebrated continued success with the hatching of five Pan’s Box Turtles, Cuora pani, on 10 August 2008. This marks the third consecutive year the Zoo has reproduced this species, with four hatched in 2006 and 2007. This year’s clutches of eggs were found on 16 and 23 June respectively. The eggs were set up on vermiculite at 2:1 with water, and incubated at 28.8° C. The hatchlings emerged after 55 days of incubation. ric k h uds o n

turtle survival alliance August 2008 15 Short Husbandry Articles

San Zoo breeding behavior, and egg laying started level of water, it is directly plumbed to a fill to occur about 10 years after their arrival. line with a carbon filter to remove chlorine Thomas C. Owens and Brandon Scott For the first time, 6 fimbriatus were from the make-up water. Heat is provided hatched in 2008. There were 12 eggs laid with an Ebo Jaeger™ titanium heater with on 24 April 2007 and all were incubated at thermostat. Full spectrum fluorescent Significant Firsts Hatch at the San Diego 30°C. A long time period occurred between lighting is provided. Each polypropylene tub Zoo While Maintaining Key Programs the first hatching and the last: The first has a concave bottom, a double standpipe, hatchling emerged on 04 January 2008 at and an independent flow control valve. This hroughout the past ten years, the San 276 days; the last one hatched on 05 April system has contributed to the successful Diego Zoo has added many new species T 2008 at 348 days. rearing of many species of aquatic turtle. The of chelonians and maintained an already large will continue to merge new collection, including many key species. In this technology and proven husbandry techniques same time period, there has been a merging to ensure longevity of all species of chelonians of tried-and-true husbandry techniques with it maintains. newer ideas and technology. This has led to  many new successes and improved degrees of success with other species.

Charlie Innis, DVM To mm y O we ns Another Successful Captive Breeding of In 2008, the San Diego Zoo continued the Sulawesi Forest Turtle. to have success with many important programs, including successful hatching Sulawesi Forest Turtle (Leucocephalon of Pyxis planicauda, Pyxis a. arachnoides, Ayuwonoi ) hatched at the facility of and Chelodina mccordi. Some important Dr. Charles Innis on June 30, 2008. To mm y O we ns husbandry changes were made with both The incubation length was 176 days at juvenile tortoises and juvenile aquatic turtles. temperatures fluctuating daily between an In the spring of 2004, 2.2 adult Burmese Star All hatchling and juvenile tortoises were evening low of 23° C and a day time high Tortoises, Geochelone platynota, were donated moved to a Doskicil Reptile Complete rack of 28° C. Ambient humidity was 80-90%. to the San Diego Zoo from the Como system built by Freedom Breeder™ (2306 The single egg was deposited 1 cm deep in Zoo where they had been quarantined and S. Daubenberger Rd., Turlock, CA 95380), a nest box containing dry sphagnum peat stabilized. These animals were part of a United which have plastic sliding drawers with moss, and was left in place for the duration States Fish and Wildlife Service confiscation hardware cloth screened tops but still provide of incubation. A flat stone was placed over and tender a crucial genetic endowment to room for UV light and basking spot lamps. the egg to prevent disturbance by the adults the captive population of Geochelone platynota The powder-coated metal rack is on rolling in the enclosure. Although the peat moss was in the United States. After some time to get casters so it can be taken outside for natural generally dry, small amounts of water were established and a couple of small infertile sunlight. This modification was made to likely added as adults turtles moved between clutches, a large clutch of 11 eggs was laid by prevent loss or injury to the tortoises due the water and nest box. a 4.5 kg female on 4 December 2007. This primarily to rodent predation. The screened large female lost 1.0 kg after the deposition tops limit the spread of pathogens through Fertility of the egg was apparent after of eggs and nesting activities. The clutch vectors such as cockroaches. An important one week of incubation when an opaque, was put through a one-month diapause at change in the husbandry of aquatic turtles transverse, white band developed. A blood 18˚C and then incubated at 30˚C. The first has been the addition of an aquatic rack ring became visible by candling within one hatchling emerged at 128 days, and 2 more system from Aquaneering, Inc.™ (7960 month, and larger blood vessels developed followed at 135 days. The mean hatch weight Stromesa Court, San Diego, CA 92126). throughout incubation. In the last month of the juveniles was 24g. No other eggs in the This modified Xenopus frog research tank of incubation the dorsal surface of the egg clutch developed at all. system features a self contained filtration became yellow, raising concern about the system sequentially consisting of a pre-filter viability of the embryo. However, blood A pair of adult Matamatas, Chelus fimbriatus, floss, settling weir tank with a fluidized vessels remained intact, and incubation was has been housed at the San Diego Zoo since bed biological filter, carbon filter and a UV continued. Approximately two weeks prior to 1993 in an exhibit enclosure. Courtship, filter. To ensure there is always an adequate hatching blood vessels were no longer visible

16 August 2008 turtle survival alliance as the embryo filled the entire egg. Ten days began nest construction in mid-June, but prior to pipping, a fine crack developed on dropped off nesting activity until first week the ventral surface of the egg, and the egg of July when nest building (and local rains) was removed to a hatching box containing Dwight Lawson began in earnest. Nineteen eggs were laid moist sphagnum moss, at a temperature of around July 9 and the majority are being 28C. The hatchling pipped on June 30, and incubated at 30° C in an attempt to produce was fully emerged on July 1. A small yolk sac Captive Reproduction of the Impressed females. remnant was present. The hatchling weighed Tortoise – Sustained Success 35g, with SCL of 56mm, SCW of 43mm, ast year at this time we were expectantly SPL of 50mm, and SPW of 29mm. One Lreporting that things might be looking up supernumerary vertebral scute was present, for Impressed Tortoises, impressa, which has also been noted in at least two in captivity. As the 2007 newsletter came out, other captive-bred L. yuwonoi. I had just begun to incubate a clutch of 21 eggs from a pair of wild-caught Impressed Tortoises that had been in captivity for about 3 years. The eggs were divided and incubated at either 27C or 29C. All proved fertile and hatched after 72 – 79 days. Hatchlings were fed a finely chopped mix of oyster and button mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, tomato,

slightly cooked sweet potato, and bok choy. w s o n Moistened Mazuri tortoise chow was added periodically throughout the first six months d w i gh t La c h ar l i e I nnis and is now added in greater proportion. The juveniles are clearly less finicky than Impressed Tortoise, breeding. The dam and one possible sire were imported their wild-caught adult counterparts and as wild-caught adults by Dr. Innis and the have grown rapidly. At almost one year of late Dr. Barbara Bonner in 1998. The other age, the group maintained by the author has possible sire was imported as a wild-caught experienced no mortality. A subset of three adult in 2001, and is on loan to Dr. Innis individuals from each incubation temperature from the Fort Worth Zoo. This is the second was endoscopically sexed at 10 months of successful breeding of this trio in the past five age. All were male. Additional details on the years, with the previous hatchling being the husbandry and growth of these juveniles will first captive breeding of this species. be presented at the TSA conference in Tucson

this September. w s o n The Sulawesi forest turtle is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, and remains

threatened by collection for the food and d w i gh t La global pet trade. The species has yet to be Impressed Tortoise, female on nest mound. found in any protected habitat in Sulawesi. The TSA Taxon Management Plan for this species seeks to improve captive breeding efforts for the species, but this has been w s o n hindered by egg infertility and unsuccessful incubation attempts. For example, the adult d w i gh t La female cited in this report has produced 25 Impressed Tortoise, 2007 offspring. eggs in ten years, but the majority have been

infertile, while several fertile eggs have failed w s o n early in embryonic development. Several Now, as the 2008 newsletter goes to press, I am hatchlings have been produced by a private happy to report that the second clutch of eggs breeder in California, and one hatchling from this pair was just put into the incubator. d w i gh t La was produced at the Muenster Zoo in 2006, The adult pair, kept separately through the Dr. Sam Rivera uncovers the July 2008 nest. winter (Oct – May), was introduced again but died several weeks after hatching. Zoo At least one other pair of Impressed Tortoises Atlanta reported late embryonic death of in their shady, heavily planted 3m x 7.5m outdoor pen in late April. The male began is reproducing regularly in the U.S., and one specimen in 2007. At this time, several a European pair also produced in 2007. additional eggs are under incubation at Zoo courting the female almost immediately and copulation appears to have occurred at about Hopefully, this signals a turn-around in Atlanta and Dr. Innis’ facility. the captive management of this historically  that time. The male has largely ignored the female after this initial courtship. The female problematic species.  turtle survival alliance August 2008 17 Behler Chelonian Center

BCC Reports Notable Achievements

Maurice Rodrigues

ver the past year the Behler Chelonian E. madagascarensis that a local woman was In February, the BCC hosted the annual OCenter (BCC) has achieved much pulling out of Lake Sariaka on the end of her Turtle Conservation Fund and TSA Steering success with its captive breeding and fishing line. Committee Meetings at The Maritime Hotel management program and has embarked in New York City. on three significant in situ conservation projects. This spring, the BCC erected a new tropical greenhouse in which it will house primarily P. In January, co-directors Eric Goode and planicauda. The new greenhouse is equipped Maurice Rodrigues were invited to Madagascar with automated heating, rain, and humidity to participate in the IUCN Red Listing systems, creating seasonal active and dormant workshop. All five of Madagascar’s endemic periods for the specialized needs of this species—, Astrochelys . radiata, Spider Tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides, Flat-tailed Tortoise, Pyxis planicauda, Group Photo Madagascar (from left) Richard Lewis, Madagascar Big-headed Turtle, Erymnochelys Eric Goode, Anders Rhodin, Russell Mittermeier, Gerald Kuchling, Peter Paul van Dijk, Maurice madagascarensis, and the Ploughshare Rodrigues, Malagasy Guide. Tortoise or Angonoka, Astrochelys yniphora-- were proposed for reclassification as critically The BCC, the Andrew Sabin Family endangered. During this meeting, the BCC Foundation, and the Council committed $70,000 over the next five years currently are working toward purchasing to implement the proposed Action Plan for a 17,000-acre parcel of land in Durango,

the conservation of A. yniphora. Mexico to protect the core habitat for the l u k as z p ogo r zel s i endangered , Koulang Chey Unfortunately, after the meeting Eric and flavomarginatus. The project is led by Myles Maurice witnessed the consequences of the Traphagen, with additional scientific support In May, the BCC played host to two students intensive of these species for the from Ross Kiester and Jim Juvik. The from Asia. Pelf Nyok traveled from Universiti illegal trade. In Antananarivo, they saw more purchase of this 17,000-acre property will Malasia Terengganu in her homeland of than 200 A. radiata individuals and eight A. substantially increase the protected habitat for , where she has studied the Mangrove yniphora that had recently been confiscated the tortoise. Surveys have indicated that this , Batagur baska and , from poachers. With recent population property likely contains the greatest known Callagur borneoensis. Koulang Chey arrived at estimates indicating that the wild population densities of the tortoise, possibly representing the Center the following week and exchanged numbers no more than 400 individuals - 200 as much as 25 to 50 percent of the remaining information about Impressed Tortoises, adults and 200 juveniles (Pedrono, pers. total population. Manouria impressa, the species he studies in com.) – and with an estimated 200 specimens his native Cambodia. Koulang saw for the having been poached from the wild since first time M. impressa constructing a nest 2001, this confiscation demonstrates the and laying eggs at the BCC. Both students impact that the illegal trade has had on this assisted BCC staff with the daily care of the species, further reinforcing the urgency of animals at the Center and conducted surveys implementing the Action Plan. of Western Pond Turtles in the wild.

Goode and Rodrigues then traveled with For the months of June and July, Peter Russell Mittermeier, Anders Rhodin, Peter Praschag has taken up residence at the Center Paul van Dijk, Gerald Kuchling, and Richard to apply his expertise in captive husbandry Lewis to the Kirindy Forest and Cap Sada on and exchange information with BCC staff. the west coast of Madagascar, where they were Peter is conducting general health assessments along with developing detailed protocols fortunate to see A. yniphora and P. planicauda m yle s trap h a ge n covering the captive husbandry and biology in the wild. Rodrigues even happened upon Roberto Limon, Desert Institute in Durango, and an A. yniphora hatchling. They also saved an Myles Traphagen in Bolson Tortoise habitat. for each species at the Center.

18 August 2008 turtle survival alliance l u k as z p ogo r zel s i Peter Praschag in one of the tropical greenhouses at the BCC.

This past year, the BCC added some notable new species to its breeding successes, including P. planicauda, Mexican Spotted , Rhinoclemys rubida rubida, Forest Hingeback Tortoise, erosa, Forsten’s Tortoise, Indotestudo forsteni, and , Geochelone elegans, as well as more than 25 P.

arachnoides (all three subspecies). Over the mi ye mccu llo u gh past three years (2005 – 2008) the BCC has Mexican Spotted Wood Turtle, Rhinoclemys rubida rubida successfully hatched the following species:

• Astrochelys radiata • Chersina angulata • Geochelone elegans • Geochelone platynota • Geochelone sulcata • Geoclemys hamiltoni p e t r prasc h an g p e t r prasc h an g • signatus signatus Forsten’s Tortoise, Indotestudo forsteni Flat-tailed Tortoise, Pyxis planicauda • Indotestudo forsteni • Kinixys erosa Finally, the BCC is proud to announce the • Malacochersus tornieri launch of its website. We will constantly update it with the latest developments at the • Manouria impressa Center and our conservation projects in the • Pyxis arachnoides arachnoides field. Please visit the BCC website at: • Pyxis arachnoides brygooi http://www.chelonianconservation.org • Pyxis arachnoides oblonga & • Pyxis planicauda support turtle and tortoise conservation

• Rhinoclemys rubida rubida p e t r prasc h an g Forest Hingeback Species, Kinixys erosa

turtle survival alliance August 2008 19 Maintaining Giant Asian Softshells in Captivity

Scott K. Davis

he six species of giant Asian softshell to their extremely powerful feeding strike, Tturtles in the genera and each individual must be hand fed to avoid are among the largest of all turtles. Adults accidental bites. Pairs are placed in tanks with often exceed 100 cm in carapace length, and a 1.5 m wide, sand-filled land area between there are several reports of Pelochelys cantori them to provide nesting and basking areas. and Chitra chitra reaching 200 cm. Large Metal halide lights above each beach provide adults often weigh more than 100 kilos, and full spectrum lighting, including UVA and reports exist of animals weighing over 200 UVB levels equivalent to the equatorial sun kilos. at noon.

Their large size has not prevented these Under these conditions, 10 cm juveniles of animals from being among the most both genera are capable of growing to 80 cm endangered chelonians on the planet. Two breeding adults in 7-10 years. Young animals species, Chitra indica and Pelochelys cantori, (<30 cm) can be housed together with historically had natural ranges across much minimal inter- or intraspecific aggression. of Asia, but their populations have been As animals approach 40 cm, they must be heavily exploited for their meat and eggs. The housed as individual pairs, or male-male remaining four species, C. chitra, C. vandijki, and female-female interactions will reach P. bibroni and P. signifera, have much smaller critical levels as each animal tries to defend ric k h uds o n ranges in Southeast Asia and New Guinea and a territory. Interspecific aggression appears Both Pelochelys and Chitra co-exist in the same are not abundant. All species are threatened limited, and a pair of Pelochelys can be tanks. both by hunting and by the logging and housed with a pair of Chitra in each 10m mineral development of land surrounding their habitat. Consequently most are either currently listed, or have been proposed for listing, as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.

Captive breeding operations are underway in and Malaysia for Chitra chitra and a rescue center for C. indica is just getting started in India. However, only limited numbers of animals are being held in assurance colonies elsewhere. In part, the lack of captive breeding activity is due to the space requirements of adult animals. In order to address the need for assurance colonies and to advance husbandry techniques for these animals, a new softshell breeding facility has been constructed in Texas. Animals are maintained in 10m x 4m x 1.5m fiberglass raceway tanks containing .4m of washed sand substrate. Water quality is maintained through biological filtration and UV sterilization, with a tank volume of water filtered and sterilized twice per hour. Animals are fed individually ric k h uds o n quick frozen whole fish three times a week Scott's six large raceways; each pairof tanks is joined with a central basking and nesting area. with weekly vitamin supplementation. Due

20 August 2008 turtle survival alliance x 4mtank. A few miscellaneous turtles in as well as video of mating behavior, will be the genera Chelodina, , and shown at the TSA Conference in Tucson. See have coexisted with the giant softshells for you there. several years without incident. Interestingly,  although the other genera frequently use the beach areas for basking, the giant softshells prefer to bask in a few inches of water and use the beach solely for nesting.

The entire collection was moved into a new facility in December 2007 and settled in nicely without a single loss. Copulations of three female P.cantori, ranging from 75-90 cm carapace length, were observed in April 2008. Several clutches of eggs have been laid and are currently incubating in the sand on the nesting beaches.

The maintenance and breeding of these ric k h uds o n ric k h uds o n Scott displays some recently laid Pelochelys eggs. genera appears to offer no unique challenges provided that the scale of their tanks is appropriate. More details on the facility, ric k h uds o n ric k h uds o n Scott's six large raceways; each pairof tanks is joined with a central basking and nesting area. Water quality is maintained through biological filtration and UV sterilization. Ramp leading to the basking and nesting area.

turtle survival alliance August 2008 21 TSA Europe

Egyptian tortoise - linking captive population management with wild population protection

Henk Zwartepoort, TSA Europe Chairman, EAZA and ESF coordinator for the Egyptian tortoise

he Egyptian tortoise, kleinmanni, Tis ranked Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. It suffers from a range of serious threats, including habitat loss, predation, and collection for the pet trade. It is listed among the Top 25 Most Endangered Chelonians by the Turtle Conservation Fund.

The situation in the wild has grown even worse over the last few years. In Egypt, the species is virtually extinct. Only a few very small populations occur in the Omayad Reserve and the Zaranik Protected Area. In Israel, a few scattered populations exist in the Negev desert, but even there, pressures are increasing due to military movements. e p oo rt art The situation in Libya is uncertain. Over the past decades, trade from that country has H e n k zw increased, and large numbers of tortoises are seen in markets in big cities in northern Africa. movements monitored with radio tracking. studbook began in 2000, 40 specimens were Many are illegally exported to Europe (see Later, the rangers each track one tortoise for recorded as captive born between 1990 and accompanying report from Italy by Fornetti), 10 days a month. Information on movement 2000; subsequently, 160 were born between and there have been some recent confiscations and activity patterns, nutrition, and breeding 2000 and 2008 at 7 EAZA institutions. Of on the Libyan/Egyptian boarder. behavior is collected, and the tortoises are the initial studbook group of 144 wild caught measured and weighed. Eventually, radio specimens, 73 died between 2000 and 2008. The project in Egypt: tracking becomes unnecessary, and the rangers In the same period, 74 of the 200 captive develop responsibility for “their” tortoises. born specimens died. The high mortality of Some years ago, a project to promote the in The area in which the rangers operate is 250 the wild caught specimens is significant. The situ conservation of the Egyptian tortoise was square kilometers (96 sq miles). survival rate of the offspring of the last few launched in Egypt. Key players in this project years is much higher than before 2000 due to are Sheriff Baha El Din who has published Funding for this project is mainly coordinated improvements in husbandry. several papers on T. kleinmanni, and Omar by Purdue University. The Dutch/Belgium Attum (Purdue University). A so-called “soft Turtle and Tortoise Society (NBSV) and the This year, the total living Egyptian tortoise release project” was started in the Zaranik European Studbook Foundation (ESF) hope studbook population will increase significantly area and involves local Bedouin people of to collect 10,000 euro by the end of 2008, a through the donation of 144 Libyan tortoises the Sweirki tribe. The 1,400 members of significant portion of which will be used for confiscated by the Italian CITES authorities. this tribe who live within the reserve subsist this important in situ project. Of the initial 256 surviving tortoises, 150 are by raising cattle and agriculture, but they currently housed at Bioparco in Rome. They once collected tortoises destined for the pet The European captive population were offered to TSA Europe on the condition trade. By training some of them to become that they would be housed at EAZA rangers and involving local people, the The ex situ captive population in Europe has institutions that have reproduced the species project benefits from local management. The increased dramatically. Within five years the and/or have skills to keep Testudo species. ranger jobs provide income, and the people EAZA managed population tripled in size. Seven EAZA zoos were selected as well as the have the opportunity to become involved By December 2007, the studbook population Amphibian Reptile Conservation (ARCO) in conservation of wildlife. Since 2003, a numbered 346 specimens. As normal in centre in Almeria in southern Spain. The limited number of confiscated tortoises have studbooks the total living population, seven EAZA zoos offered to “sacrifice” their been released within a fenced area and their however, is much smaller. When the EAZA current stocks of unknown origin animals,

22 August 2008 turtle survival alliance Egyptian tortoise - linking captive population management with wild population protection

including the offspring, in favor of the soon- to-arrive Libyan stock. This way a completely new studbook group of known Libya origin stock was created. The current EAZA stock of 85 from these 7 zoos will be transferred to a few other EAZA collections, but the majority--65 specimens--will go to carefully selected private ESF locations.

The current ESF living studbook population numbered 126 specimens at December 2007, and 108 births were reported between 2004 and 2008 at 6 ESF participants. The majority of the studbook population is captive born. During that period, 21 deaths were reported, of which 12 were captive born and 9 were wild

caught or unknown birth specimens. Through e p oo rt art the transfer of the 65 EAZA specimens, the

total living ESF population will increase to H e n k zw almost 200 specimens.

This year several dozen births have been reported by both EAZA and ESF breeders. Through improved husbandry within both the EAZA and ESF collections and the arrival of 114 Libyan specimens, the total ex situ European population will rise to almost 500. Another 130 Libyan specimens are still in Bioparco in Rome. If this upcoming transfer of 144 to EAZA works out to everyone’s satisfaction, these 130 will also become available for the European studbook population.

TSA Europe’s program for the endangered Egyptian tortoise is an outstanding example of making good use of confiscated wildlife, successfully integrating them into a cooperative management program, and providing a conservation benefit for the species. The future of T. kleinmanni in nature may appear e p oo rt art bleak, but efforts to protect remaining wild H e n k zw populations must continue. TSA Europe is answering the call there as well. This is an exemplary program that blends both wild and captive management and provides an important safety net against the extinction of this highly at-risk species.

turtle survival alliance August 2008 23 TSA Europe

Trafficking in Egyptian Tortoises and the Italian Connection

Alessandro Fornetti, Bioparco, Roma

hough Italy has no wild populations of the TEgyptian tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni, the country has become a focal point in the illegal trade of the species in the last few years. The reason is easy to understand: with the national laws becoming tighter on the commerce of autoctone species (T. hermanni, T. marginata, and, to some extent, T.graeca), traders have turned their attention to the Egyptian tortoise, which to the untrained eye of the buyer, represents a good alternative. T. kleinmanni are smuggled from North African countries by the hundreds, and this has resulted in a few major seizures by Italian Law Enforcement Agencies. Several proposals to the authorities in the countries of origin failed to prompt any interest in having the tortoises sent back, so the “Italian Stock” has continued to grow and will likely continue o - r ma bi o parc Emergency enclosures for a group of confiscated Egyptian tortoises at the Bioparco. to do so.

A large group of T. kleinmani were seized important, the death rate has been minimal Though legal times are unpredictable, I’m in October 2005 at an airport during a over the years, certainly exceeded by the confident that the first group can be placed smuggling attempt from Libya and put into remarkable hatchling success. At the request within a few weeks. custody at the Bioparco (formerly the Zoo of of Henk Zwartepoorte, a significant part of Roma). It consisted of 274 animals, roughly the group was tested for both mycoplasma The importance of having good numbers 27 percent of which were juveniles, with and herpesvirus, the results being negative. of these wild-caught, unrelated animals the rest equally divided between males and introduced into breeding programs cannot females. The average weights were 100 gr Dr. Rocco agreed to the project on the be underestimated. I hope this action will set for the juveniles, 157gr for the adult males, condition that only qualified institutions a precedent in Italy for the management of and 260gr for the adult females. In late would receive the animals. This is seized tortoises and turtles and will result in a November 2006, I contacted TSA Europe understandable, given that the relationship standardized procedure. Chairman Henk Zwartepoorte, asking if the between the authorities and private breeders TSA would be interested in receiving part of in Italy is very poor at the moment. This the seized tortoises. Upon his positive reply, I situation is due to a number of reasons, the approached Dr. Massimiliano Rocco, Deputy primary being the weak dividing line between Chairman of the CITES Italy Scientific “breeder” and “trader.” It is hope that this Commission, and following negotiations, we situation can be rectified in the future by were offered a group ofT. kleinmanni. bringing the strict guidelines required by the Ale ssandr o f rn e tti TSA and other associations to Italy. So far, Adult T. kleinmanni from the seized group. The Bioparco handled this emergency 11 institutions from 7 European countries situation very well. The tortoises were housed have answered the call, offering to house a under slightly modified EAZA guidelines, total of 144 specimens. The project was made and the excellent work carried out by the public at the Prague Turtle Symposium on 19 Curator of the , Stefano Micarelli, April 2008, and further interest was shown and his staff is underscored by the fact that the by several parties. At the time of writing (late tortoises started to reproduce even with no May 2008), we are awaiting final approval Ale ssandr o f rn e tti special provisions for captive breeding. More from the judge in charge of the seizure. Hatchlings from the 2007 season.

24 August 2008 turtle survival alliance The Golden Coin box turtle status in EAZA institutions

Henk Zwartepoort, TSA Europe Chairman, ESF Chairman

orphological studies of golden coin expected that the studbook breeding program Mbox turtles, Cuora trifasciata, held in will grow to 60 specimens during the course European Association of Zoos and Aquarium of this year. As a result of this research, (EAZA) collections provided clear evidence in 2008 the Rotterdam Zoo achieved a that different genetic clades were being significant breeding when two females, maintained and sometimes bred together. paired with a male of the same genetic clade, Captive reproduction recently occurred in produced fertile clutches of four and five eggs. Munster, Rotterdam, and Chester, and earlier At the Munster Zoo, a large number of eggs in Hamburg Zoo, though possibly from from the different clades are currently being “genetically dissimilar” breeding pairs. Hence, incubated. The zoos contributed to the costs it was decided to initiate genetic screening of the genetic research of their turtles, and on all known EAZA specimens. The zoos of the costs for the private animals were covered Hamburg, Munster, London, Whipsnade, by a small private donation. Further genetic Chester, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, plus research on the whole Cuora is needed, one private keeper, participated in this study. and funding is currently being sought to e p oo rt art In 2007 – 2008, a research project was support this research. carried out by Dr. Jens Poschadel at Hamburg H e n k zw University to identify the various genetic Finally, Elmar Meier of the Munster Zoo- lineages and sort the turtles accordingly for based International Center for Conservation captive breeding. Of 36 turtles tested, three of Turtles (ICCT) reports that 19 eggs distinct clades were detected. Based on have been laid by 4 C. trifasciata females these results, recommendations were made this year. Eleven of these eggs are fertile, to relocate and exchange several specimens to including both C. trifasciata and the recently create optimal genetic combinations. described C. cyclornata meieri. In addition to these clutches, another 26 fertile eggs have This genetic work rejuvenated the previously been laid by some of the other endangered

inactive studbook/breeding program for C. Cuora species, including C. aurocapitata, e p oo rt art trifasciata, and Torsten Blanck and Elmar C. flavomarginata evelynae, C. (galbinifrons)

Meier are co-managing the program for the bouretti, C. mccordi, and C. zhoui. H e n k zw European Studbook Foundation. It is to be e p oo rt art E l mar m e i r H e n k zw

turtle survival alliance August 2008 25 Range Country: India

Project Kachuga: India Program Expands Initiatives in Year Three

Brian D. Horne and Shailendra Singh

ncredible India. This national slogan Iaptly describes the many unique cultural experiences that comprise India. Consequently, conducting Indian turtle conservation necessitates an understanding of the complex needs of more than one billion Indian citizens, which at times, can conflict with needs of the country’s turtles. India’s turtles face an unprecedented onslaught of pressures, ranging from intensive harvesting to large-scale habitat loss, endangering nearly 60 percent of the populations of the 28 native turtle species. Additionally, with the rise of the modern global economy, India has seen the respective economic value of its turtles dramatically increase in the past two

decades. Sadly, India’s long cultural history e of traditional turtle consumption is no longer rn . ho d sustainable, as its turtles and turtle products have become international commodities, brian especially in Southeast Asia. A Crowned Roof Turtle, Hardella thurjii, found nesting in the lower Chambal River, a first in the four-year history of the project. The main goal of the joint TSA - Zoological Society of San Diego - Madras Crocodile Bank Trust project is to prevent the extinction of the red-crowned roof turtle, Batagur kachuga, in the Chambal National Sanctuary (CNS). With fewer than 500 adult females remaining in the wild, decisive conservation actions that have immediate impacts are warranted.

In three field seasons (2006-2008), our program has been highly productive. More than 200 nests of B. kachuga and 1,500 nests of the three-striped roof turtle, Batagur dhongoka, have been protected from jackals, Canis aureus. The majority of resulting hatchlings were released within 24 hours of hatching. A select few were reserved for headstarting—rearing juveniles in captivity until they reach a size assumed to afford them greater survivorship when released into the wild. In 2008, due

in part to the generous support of Nature’s brian d . ho rn e Own, we tagged more than 3,500 hatchling Ashutosh Tripathi holding a juvenile Indian Narrow Headed Softshell, Chitra indica, from the Chambal River turtles (the majority were the enigmatic B. that was captured by hand, near the village of Baswra. Ashutosh is beginning his first year of field research on the abundance and distribution of Chitra indica thanks to a grant from the Cleveland Metro Parks. dhongoka) produced in our two Uttar Pradesh riverside hatcheries prior to their release into the sanctuary. In early November, after the

26 August 2008 turtle survival alliance monsoon floodwaters recede, we plan to begin Therefore, several new initiatives were riverside agriculturists, thanks to the Benefica recapture surveys using seine nets that require launched this year, including the construction Foundation. This small-scale agriculture has 20 plus people and several small country boats. of a model “green” headstarting facility to devastating impacts on prime sandbars for By surveying for marked turtles, we hope increase capacity, construction of an education turtle nesting, rendering these areas unsuitable to document rates of hatchling survivorship center, implementation of wide-ranging for nests. This agriculture is also a point source and dispersal. It is crucial that we have a environmental education programs, and of pesticide pollution. standardized means of gauging the success of planning for a modest alternative livelihood our hatch-and-release program. program for riverside agriculturists. Riverside agriculture offers employment for only four to five months a year and a net pay Yet, the goal is to do more than conserve Furthermore, we have begun collaborations of $100 US a month. The majority of the a single species. The aim is to improve protection of a significant portion of the turtles’ habitat as well as reduce the human demands on resources that the turtles depend upon for survival. Previous conservation projects in India (such as Project Tiger) have been less than successful because social and educational programs for rural communities, often within protected areas, have not been incorporated in species-specific conservation actions. Thus, there continues to be substantial poaching and incidental capture of wildlife due to impoverished people being dependent on wildlife and wildlife products as a source of income.

Long-term success is dependent on formation of strategic partnerships with local communities to find mutually beneficial, eco- friendly livelihood options that will conserve

the sanctuary’s natural resources. Our project v i ba h adur ra must enlighten communities to the perilous Brian D. Horne, Shailendra Singh, Matt Milnes, and Ashutosh Tripathi at the Chambal River Field Station. situation of the sanctuary’s wildlife and the entire ecosystem.

with the Center for Environmental Education (a well known and highly respected Indian NGO) to develop our education material (mobile information kiosks, teacher curriculum planning, bi-lingual course books, etc.). The center will also help design our new environmental education center in the village of Garhaita (located within the CNS) to increase environmental awareness within the sanctuary. Construction of the new education center and the launch of a wide- ranging education awareness program for communities living within and on the border of the CNS are made possible by a grant from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. The program will help create better awareness of the unique biodiversity of the CNS and the importance of turtles and other mega-fauna in the river ecosystem, as well as garner greater brian d . ho rn e s h ai le ndra sin gh Shailendra Singh releasing hatchling Three-Striped community support and participation in turtle Jeff Lang speaks with members of the Center for Roof Turtles, Batagur dhongoka, into the Chambal nest protection, rearing, and headstarting. Environmental Education, a highly respected Indian River after the turtles are weighed, measured, and NGO that the conservation team is partnering permanently identified with a decimal coded wire with. tag. We have initiated investigations into how to provide alternative livelihood options to

turtle survival alliance August 2008 27 the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust so that we can perform constant temperature incubation experiments for determination of Temperature Sex Determination (TSD) patterns in B. kachuga. Those data will be compared to our field data (nest temperatures and endoscopic sex determination) so we can verify that an unbiased sex ratio of hatchlings is produced in our riverside hatcheries. We are also renovating former crocodile enclosures at both the Deori EcoCentre and the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Center for additional capacity to headstart B. kachuga juveniles as well as to enhance the breeding potential of captive adults. The Zoological Society of San Diego has provided the program with a new four-door pickup truck and an inflatable run- about. These generous contributions will enable us to access far more of the Chambal River than previously possible. h i as h ut o s tripat Shailendra Singh and Brian D. Horne atop camels in the National Chambal Sanctuary. Camels are used during the dry season to search for nests along the expansive sandbars of the Chambal River.

of local handicrafts, which could be sold at fair-market prices via the Internet or small boutique shops at areas with high volume of tourists, such as Delhi, Agra, or Jaipur.

With funding from the Turtle Conservation Fund, the British Chelonian Group, the Benefica Foundation, and the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, we broke ground on new, green nursery facilities at the

Garhaita Turtle Rehabilitation Center. These Joh n t ho rbjarnars o facilities will include solar powered water Brian D. Horne confiscating an illegal fishing net in pumps and bio-filtration, a true necessity the National Chambal Sanctuary. in a region with both electricity and water shortages.

Additionally, we are coordinating our efforts with the Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Although we will probably never master all Forest Departments to provide greater the intricacies that define India, we have now enforcement of the fishing and sand mining built a strong foundation of broad-based ban in the Chambal National Sanctuary. conservation initiatives that we strongly brian d . ho rn e We hope that increased presence of Forest A pair of drowned Three-striped Roof Turtles, Batagur believe will reverse the downward spiral in the dhongoka, unfortunately this is not a rare site as Department Staff will reduce the number of population of one of India’s most charismatic there is limited enforcement of the fishing ban within illegal fishing nets in the river. Reducing the turtles, B. kachuga, and set it on a trajectory the National Chambal Sanctuary. adult turtle mortality is a critical next step for toward self-sustaining population levels. our conservation program. In the near future  we hope to begin dialogues with the Forest Department officials in Rajasthan, as we Acknowledgements: For their tremendous farmers we have interviewed have expressed know very little of the B. kachuga populations help and dedication to the project we a strong desire to be gainfully employed in the headwaters of the Chambal River would like to thank Mr. D.N.S. Suman throughout the year. We hope that a modest (Uttar Pradesh Principle Chief Conservator program of skill training will have tremendous Thanks to funding from the Zoological Society of Forests & Wildlife), Mr. S.P. Sharma impact on the turtles’ conservation. Some of San Diego’s Division of Conservation (Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Morena) farmers may be hired as field assistants and Science, we are moving ahead with renovating and Mr. Neeraj Kumar (DFO, National trained to protect turtle nests from predators. the incubation facilities (a new dedicated Chambal Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh) and Others may be trained in the production generator and new Lyon© incubators) at Mrs. Eva Sharma (DFO, Endangered Species

28 August 2008 turtle survival alliance brian d . ho rn e Shai Singh (right), Ashutosh Tripathi (center) and a field assistant dig up nest at the end of the hatching season to count unhatched eggs.

Programme, Uttar Pradesh). We would like to thank the Bachelor Foundation, the Turtle Conservation Fund, the Disney Worldwide Conservation, the Beneficia Foundation, Nature’s Own, Sedgwick County Zoo, the British Chelonian Group, and the Zoological Society of San Diego for helping fund our endeavors. Rick Hudson and Matt Milnes have untiringly reviewed our numerous grant proposals, which we greatly appreciate. Lonnie McCaskill, Dave Manser, and Greg George have provided much insight in the construction of the new turtle facilities. For logistical help we thank Rom Whitaker, Nikhil Whitaker, Payal Narain, and Dhruvjyoti Basu. Dr. Abdesh Gangwar and Dr. Rashmi Gangwar are thanked for their inputs in our ongoing and proposed education initiatives. And finally yet most importantly for help with the fieldwork with thank Dr. Rishikesh brian d . ho rn e Sharma, Ashutosh Tripathi, Ravi Bhadauria, A yearling Red-Crowned Roof Turtle, Batagur kachuga, at the TSA sponsored headstarting facility in at the and the people of Garhaita. Deori EcoCentre.

turtle survival alliance August 2008 29 Range Country: India

TSA Announces Two Major Grants for Indian Turtle Conservation

Rick Hudson and Brian D. Horne

he Disney Worldwide Conservation to find the most feasible economic options Finally, we need to expand this successful TFund (DWCF) recently announced a for reforming turtle poachers and illegal program to additional locales that may support $17,900 grant to the Turtle Survival Alliance fishermen. A large-scale education awareness remnant populations of B. kachuga, as well as for their Indian Turtle Conservation Program. program will be launched for communities initiate conservation actions for other turtles Spearheaded by the TSA, this is a partnership living within and on the border of the NCS of special concern. The Beneficia grant will program with the Madras Crocodile Bank that will help garner greater support and allow us to accomplish this goal by enlisting Trust/Center for Herpetology (MCBT/CFH) participation in turtle nest protection, rearing, the services of Dr. Peter Praschag. One of and the Zoological Society of San Diego’s and headstarting. The humble education the world’s foremost authorities on Indian Division of Conservation and Research for center in the riverside village of Garhaita will turtles, Peter has made some important recent Endangered Species (CRES). The flagship be expanded so that larger awareness meetings discoveries on Indian turtle distribution and species is the critically endangered Red- can be held and school groups can be better evolutionary relationships. It is Peter’s largely Crowned Roof Turtle, Batagur (Kachuga) accommodated. Over 200 village schools are volunteer efforts that have greatly increased kachuga. With less than 500 adult females in close enough proximity to Garhaita to be our knowledge of some of the rarest and most remaining in the wild, there is an urgent serviced by the expanded education center. endangered Indian turtles. Accordingly, it is need to implement conservation measures with his expertise and assistance that we will to prevent its extinction. Efforts are focused Beneficia Grant be able to initiate conservation programs for within the National Chambal Sanctuary four additional species targeted in the 2005 (NCS), a 400-kilometer tributary in the We are also pleased to announce a $25,000 Conservation Action Plan for Endangered River drainage and the last stronghold grant from the Beneficia Foundation to Freshwater Turtles of India - Batagur baska, for B. kachuga. Current conservation measures support our Chambal River-based Indian Aspideretes nigricans, A. leithi, and for this species include protection of field- turtle conservation program. This is the sylhetensis. collected nests from predators at in situ and ex second year that Beneficia has supported the India project, and will allow the program situ hatcheries. A portion of the hatchlings are The Future retained at two modest nurseries until they to expand a number of new and important reach a size that will improve their chances initiatives. This grant will support the flagship The Indian turtle conservation program, now of survival when released into the wild – a recovery program for the Red- Crowned Roof in its fourth year, is steadily gaining traction Batagur kachuga, method referred to as headstarting. Turtle, based at the National and has produced some major conservation Chambal Sanctuary (described above) by impacts on a number of fronts. These Written by Brian Horne and TSA India providing funding for the construction of new successes are attracting new support from Program Coordinator Shailendra Singh, this hatcheries and headstart facilities at Garhaita major donor organizations. While securing grant provides funding for both a research and and the Deori EcoCentre (a state run gharial new funding is always important, there are an education component. Research activities headstarting center). other, more intangible, factors that contribute are aimed at determining TSD patterns to With illegal hunting as the foremost threat to to this program’s success. The friendship and insure both sexes are produced at the riverside the sanctuary’s wildlife, conservation actions collaborative relationship that has developed hatcheries, gaining a better understanding of on the Chambal will only be effective if some between Brian Horne and Shailendra Singh frequency and minimum size of reproduction, of the pressures on turtle population can be cannot be understated. With the strong and monitoring population trends and survival mitigated. Funds are now available to develop support of the Zoological Society of San by surveys and mark/recapture studies. The sustainable means to curtail these activities Diego, Brian is contributing tremendous research component of this program will by providing alternative income sources for resources (boat, vehicle, generator, incubators), improve the chances of conserving the turtles, the area’s impoverished people, such as the as well as bringing credible scientific oversight yet illegal fishing within the sanctuary must creation of an e-commerce free trade system to the program. It also must be noted that also be addressed. If turtles continue to drown of artisan products (e.g., wood carvings by administrating and managing many of in illegal nets, no amount of headstarting and ethnic textiles). In addition, the turtle the program’s logistical aspects the renowned activities will prevent the extinction of the conservation center’s community outreach Madras Crocodile Bank Trust is playing a species. Village meetings and local outreach and education activities will be expanded to key role. But, the true heart and sole of this activities to educate locals to the situation better serve the sanctuary’s estimated 30,000 program is Shailendra’s unwavering dedication within the NCS will be essential. Pilot school age children. to turtle conservation. Because of him, the alternative livelihood initiatives will attempt future of India’s turtles is looking brighter.

30 August 2008 turtle survival alliance Field survey for the river terrapin (Batagur baska) in East India and

Peter Praschag, Rupali Ghose, and Florian Wollinger

n recent genetic studies, the critically Iendangered river terrapin was split into two genetically distinct species: the , Batagur baska, from India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar; and the , Batagur affinis, from Malaysia and . Almost all our knowledge Rearing pond at Sajanakhali Interpretation Center at the Sunderbans Tiger Preserve. According to the about the river terrapin is based on B. affinis, staff, 17 Batagur baska are kept in this facility. and nearly nothing is known about the biology and ecology of B. baska. The last available remaining individuals in the Bangladesh data on the northern species goes back to the part of the Sunderbans. B. baska seems to be early 1990s, when a head-starting program extirpated in the Chittagong district, where was conducted in the Indian Sunderbans. fishermen used to poach them especially During our surveys in February and March around Kutubdia Island and St. Martin’s 2008—funded by the Turtle Conservation Island. Now and then, a specimen is caught in Fund (TCF)—we covered all major rivers the Sunderbans, but all fishermen confirmed in Orissa and West Bengal, the Indian and that the species is rapidly vanishing there. Bangladesh part of the Sunderbans and along Water pollution from heavy industry is one id the coast to the most southeastern corner of of the main threats, especially in East Indian h Bangladesh, bordering Myanmar. In spite of river systems. Along all surveyed rivers, sand extensively interviewing local fishermen and mining was going on. Furthermore, in East random boating along the Subarnarekha and India, the rivers are parceled to turtle poachers S.M.A. ras Brahmani rivers—two historical, well known supplying their catches to West Bengal. In the habitats of B. baska in Orissa—we found no Mafia-like, well-organized trade, black sheep evidence of ongoing occurrence. However among the state police as well as the forest we could record a hitherto unknown and department are involved. In Bangladesh, all vanishing population of B. baska in the Devi kinds of freshwater turtle species are still sold River, one of the branches of the Mahanadi openly in the markets. The collapse of Indian id

River. The mouth of the Devi River is one and Bangladesh freshwater turtle populations h of the three most important rookeries for the during the mid- to late 1990s was caused by olive ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea, in changing fishing techniques. Small rowboats S.M.A. ras India. A local boatman, living more upstream were replaced by motorized fishing trolleys Above. In the breeding season male Batagur baska on the edge of a nesting beach of the Devi, that set wide area nets in the rich fishing display distinct and contrasting coloration of a black harvested three nests of B. baska in 2006 grounds at the river mouths, sometimes head with reddish neck and shoulders. and one in 2008. In the Indian Sunderbans, reaching from one riverbank to the other. the situation seems to not be much more promising. Out of the last ten nesting females The northern river terrapin is one of the most reported by Bhupathy in 1995 only one still elusive turtle species. Hardly a photograph frequents the beach on Mechua Island. At the exists of a male in breeding color. Unlike least, several specimens of both sexes could B. affinis, the head of the male B. batagur is be observed in a big pond of the Sajanakhali jet-black and sharply contrasts to the orange Interpretation Center in the Sunderbans Tiger to crimson dorsal neck. The carapace is a Preserve. According to the staff at the center, red-brown and more similar to males of B. 17 turtles, originating from eggs collected in kachuga than to B. affinis. The northern river 1991, are still kept in this facility. terrapin is on the very edge of extinction, and p e t r prasc h a g Although not a single specimen could be immediate conservation actions are badly 3.5 kg Batagur baska from the of obtained from the excessive turtle trade, needed to save one of the most colorful river Bangladesh. chances are slightly better of finding some turtles. turtle survival alliance August 2008 31 Range Country: India

Turtle Conservation in the Terai Region of Northern India

Shailendra Singh¹, Brain D. Horne², and Bhasker M. Dixit³

he Indian foothills of the Himalayas, or are under severe threats from poaching and Tthe Terai region (6500 km2) of northern habitat degradation. Consequently, we Uttar Pradesh, is a highly threatened ecosystem organized numerous meetings with regional comprised of forests and a mosaic of wetland environmental organizations, local youth grasslands (much like the wet prairies of the programs, and nature enthusiasts to develop United State’s upper Midwest), swamps, their interest in turtle conservation initiatives. lakes, and tributaries. So rich is the diversity With their help, we commenced turtle that the World Wildlife Fund for Nature conservation and education activities on the (WWF) lists the Terai as one of top 200 most Sarju and Ghaghra rivers. We also enlisted important eco-regions in need of conservation. their help to survey the wetlands in an attempt Furthermore, the area supports a considerable to better quantify turtle diversity, abundance,

chelonian diversity, with more than 50 percent and the threats to the turtles’ long-term survival. s h ai le ndra sin gh The most common method that turtle poachers use of India’s freshwater turtle species having been During theses surveys, we positively identified to target softshell turtles is the “thousand hook’ trap, well documented. Hence, in addition to 14 species of freshwater turtle, notably the a long line (approximately 100 meters) that has literally thousands of unbaited hooks. These trap continuing our turtle conservation programs Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle, Chitra lines are strung in shallow water and are extremely in National Chambal Sanctuary, we expanded indica, crowned roof turtle, Hardella thurjii, effective at snagging turtles as they swim past our 2007-2008 efforts to include turtle Indian hill turtle, tricarinata, conservation within the incredible and unique three-striped roof turtle, Batagur dhongoka, known from 150 km east of the Dudhwa Terai. and , petersi. The Tiger Reserve. We also have great hope that occurrence of Morenia from the Pilibheet a population of red-crowned roof turtles, Shortly after initiating our fieldwork, we district of Terai was a western distribution Batagur kachuga survives, but this has yet to realized that all of the region’s turtle populations extension record. The species was previously be confirmed.

Turtle poaching and illegal fishing are rampant on both rivers. While the indirect threat to the turtle population is seasonal fencing of the river, which prevents fish and other aquatic animals from moving beyond a limited area, more serious threats include fishing with illegal-size fishing nets (>1 mm gap) and conversion of riverbanks into agricultural fields. More than 350 turtles— including C. indica, hurum, Nilssonia gangeticus, H. thurjii, Geoclemys hamiltoni, and M. petersi—were observed in the possession of poachers during the five- month field survey. In an effort to gain the trust of the poachers, we purchased an initial few C. indica, H. thurjii, and M. petersi turtles from the poachers, collected morphometric data, and released the turtles into the safer location of the river.

To further gain the poachers’ confidence, we hired several of them as field assistants. Once s h ai le ndra sin gh trust was established, they readily provided A turtle poacher displaying a large adult female crowned roof turtle, Hardella thurjii, which was caught in the fisherman’s large seine nets. These turtles are prized for the flesh and are generally consumed locally their knowledge of regional turtle abundance rather than being exported. and distribution. They shared a wealth of

32 August 2008 turtle survival alliance the turtle before it is killed, leaving the animal to suffer a painful death. One kilogram of dried cartilage fetches approximately INR 2000 (about $50 US). That amount can be obtained from two 18 kg adult softshells. With the average daily wage for eight hours of hard physical labor being a mere INR 100, or $2.50 US, one can easily reach the conclusion that it pays well to be a turtle poacher. With the help of our field assistants/former turtle poachers, we visited a few of the regional turtle trade collection centers. At one of the 15 reported intermediary warehouses in the Terai, we observed that approximately 80 kg of cartilage and 600 to 700 kg of live turtles (presumably for meat) are being exported monthly. Our field assistants also helped us identify local poachers and organize a meeting with them to understand their problems and their ideas on feasible economic alternatives to turtle poaching. b h as ke r m . di x it At first, the poachers were very reluctant to After months of negotiations the area’s turtle poachers agree to meet at an all day roundtable discussion on the plight of the turtles as well as how TSA can help in the development of alternative livelihood options meet with us. They declined our invitations for the poachers. three times before finally agreeing to meet with us along an isolated bank of the Sarju River information not only on the natural history H. thurjii is considered very good quality and on 2 October 2007. Twenty-one hardcore of the various turtle species but also on the also is in high demand. turtle poachers gathered with us for a full day scale and pace of the turtle trade in the of discussions concerning their backgrounds, region. Additionally, this relationship has As dried turtle cartilage is easier and more skills, practices, and feasible livelihood options yielded incredibly valuable information lucrative to transport than live turtles, in their region, as well as the ecological and regarding a few fragmented but large viable fishermen and trappers are targeting religious importance of turtles. populations of H. thurjii and C. indica, softshells. Generally, the cartilage is cut from Our efforts are beginning to pay off, as as well as confirming the presence of an additional six and eight species in the Sarju and Ghaghara rivers respectively. We believe that our recently “discovered” H. thurjii population on the Sarju River is possibly one of the largest populations of this species remaining in India, with more than 700 individuals of various size classes observed in a manner of days.

Many part-time poachers hailed from the numerous small rural fishing communities along the rivers. The more specialized turtle hunters originated from the towns of Kanpur and Unnao. Additionally, nomadic Kanjar tribes were observed poaching turtles for the commercial meat trade. These fishermen sell their catches to local middlemen, who smuggle the live specimens and products (mostly dried cartilage from shells of softshell turtles) through the underground black- market networks of West Bengal and Assam en route to Southeast Asia and China.

During our visits, we noticed that C. indica, b h as ke r m . di x it Shailendra Singh (center, dark blue shirt) with former turtle poachers displaying their certificates that they N. gangeticus, and N. hurum are in high have signed, which renouncing their past turtle poaching and pledging to no longer partake in this illegal demand for their cartilage, and the meat of activity.

turtle survival alliance August 2008 33 several of these turtle poachers have stopped trapping. Yet, we would be naive to believe that all turtle poachers can be convinced to stop harvesting turtles when we cannot offer them alternative livelihood options. This year, with help from Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and the Beneficia Foundation, we hope to develop some self- sustainable small livelihood options such as chicken farming, fish farming, apiculture, medicinal plant cultivation, goat farming, and artifact designing. We have enlisted the help of ten reformed poachers into our conservation program and have formed a “reformed turtle poacher conservation cooperative.” We continue to encourage and help them to adopt eco-friendly livelihood options, and our efforts are starting to make a difference. These reformed poachers recently alerted authorities to a consignment of more than 300 H. thurjii on the Katraghat bank of the Sarju River, near the town of Colonelganj.

We also receive daily phone calls to our Wildlife Week, a week long conference on the state of wildlife conservation throughout India. Shailendra field site office about turtle activities and Singh was there to highlight the TSA turtle conservation program. poaching.

Due to the increasing flow of information of the Public Works Department on the the Center for Environmental Education regarding the high level of illegal poaching Sarju River will be renovated as an education (CEE), a leading India environmental of the endangered C. indica, we initiated a center cum turtle population-monitoring education agency, to increase and evaluate the species-specific rescue and rehabilitation station This center will be very close to a river effectiveness of our conservation education program in the village of Kakraha of District pool with significant numbers of turtles. programs. We have been training five local Gonda. The program aims to convince the We also recently began collaborating with environmental organizations in order to turtle trappers, through reformed turtle poachers and stakeholder (e.g., village chiefs and community leaders) meetings, to stop turtle harvesting. We acquired the long-term lease of a two-acre community pond to serve as a repository for animals seized from the trade. Turtles will be kept on a temporary basis before release in an area not impacted by poachers. Currently, five rescued juvenile C. indica, 20 adult and sub-adult N. gangeticus and three adult female H. thurjii turtles are in the pond. Due to the aggressive behavior of the N. gangeticus, they will be released shortly, and modifications will be done to make the pond a more Chitra friendly captive environment. In addition, information panels have been erected close to potential turtle habitats, which appeal to everyone to conserve turtles. In addition to organized education programs using skits, we show the video “Turtles in a Soup” (Hindi language version), about the plight of turtles, in our campsites and at more than 30 riverside

villages and fishing hamlets. s h ai le ndra sin gh A previously unknown population of crowned roof turtles, Hardella thurjii, which was pointed out to us by In the near future, a defunct toll tax building former turtle poachers. This population of H. thurjii maybe the largest remaining in India.

34 August 2008 turtle survival alliance b h as ke r m . di x it Shailendra Singh (wearing hat, 2nd for the right) with villagers adjacent to the new Chitra indica rescue ponds. These ponds will be an important component of our community based conservation efforts for the Indian Narrow headed softshell.

develop their skills to achieve a broader reach. thanks to the Turtle Conservation Fund, Pradesh Forest Department, for all his Furthermore, we have started corresponding the Zoological Society of San Diego, the outstanding support and guidance. We thank with Nepal’s Forest Department, Crocodile Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & Cleveland Center for Herpetology/ Madras Crocodile and Turtle Rehab Center at Chitwan, and Zoological Society, the Beneficia Foundation, Bank, the Terai Environmental Group, Tribhuvan University of Kathmando in hopes the British Chelonia Group and the Disney and Uttar Pradesh Forest Department for of expanding our conservation programs in Worldwide Conservation Fund for their their help and support. We also extend the Terai region of Nepal. ongoing support of our turtle conservation our thanks to Mr. Pradeep K. Saxena (Terai programs in India. We extend our sincerest Environmental Group) for his tireless We sincerely acknowledge the Turtle Survival thanks to Rick Hudson, TSA Co-Chair, assistance to the program. Alliance in taking a leading position in Asian for his project suggestions and enthusiastic  turtle conservation, especially its efforts to encouragement. We especially thank Mr. conserve Indian turtles. We extend our DNS Suman, Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttar

¹ Shailendra Singh, Center for Herpetology/ Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, TN, India [email protected]

² Brain D. Horne, Conservation and Research for Endangered Species, San Diego Zoo, CA, USA [email protected]

³ Bhasker M. Dixit,Terai Environmental Group, Uttar Pradesh, India [email protected]

turtle survival alliance August 2008 35 Range Country: Madagascar

Supporting efforts to protect Madagascar’s endemic tortoises – TSA launches new program

Michael Ogle and Rick Hudson

n January 2008 a workshop was held in IAntananarivo, Madagascar to address the threats to Madagascar’s chelonians. The meeting--Turtles on the Brink in Madagascar: A Workshop on Current Status, Conservation Prioritization, and Strategic Action Planning for Madagascan Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles--was initiated by the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group as well as Madagascar’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Forest, and Tourism. Several other organizations helped to bring everyone together, and include the Wildlife Conservation Society, Conservation International, and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Other sponsors for the event included ANGAP, WWF, Turtle Conservation Fund, EAZA Shellshock Campaign, Chelonian Research Foundation, Turtle Survival Alliance, Behler Chelonian Center, Frankel Family Foundation, Moore Family Foundation, and George Meyer and Maria Semple. Rick Hudson (TSA Co- Chair) and Michael Ogle (Knoxville Zoo) represented the TSA at this event. Besides

being a co-sponsor of the event, the TSA was M auric e Ro dri g u s invited to present on current ex-situ breeding Ploughshare tortoise, Astrochelys yniphora. programs for Malagasy chelonians in the United States and Europe. Southeast Asia and other places around the The results of the action plan laid out specific world. No one knows what the current level conservation recommendations for each The meeting had two primary focal points: of “take” is in other areas in the southwest. species. By the end of the meeting, a total to update each species listing for the IUCN The angonoka has experienced an even larger of $300,000 had been pledged by various Red List and create an Action Plan on how decline in population size since the turn conservation organizations to help mobilize to best conserve each species as needed. of the century. Already in serious trouble and implement those recommendations. The The results of the meeting were expected from burning of their preferred bamboo TSA pledged $40,000 over the next five years but unfortunate. Each endemic species-- forest habitat, poachers have removed large for Project Angonoka, including the field angonoka or ploughshare tortoise, Astrochelys numbers of tortoises from the population, station run by Durrell Wildlife Conservation yniphora, radiated tortoise, Astrochelys radiata, leaving a possible total of only 200 adults Trust in Ampijoroa. This is currently the only spider tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides spp., flat-tail and 200 juveniles. This number is down center in the world legally breeding A. yniphora tortoise, Pyxis planicauda, and the Madagascar substantially since the last formal population - the classic “all eggs in one basket” situation big head turtle, Erymnochelys madagascariensis estimates were made in 2001. The number and a dangerous precedent. Until the captive will be – if they are not already listed as such of tortoises being removed for all species – population can be better distributed among - recommended for elevation to Critically A. radiata in particular - is staggering, and if other locations, the Amphijoroa facility Endangered status. The primary factors in the illegal black market trade is not brought should be expanded to increase capacity for their decline and include , under control soon, the angonoka could reproduction and reintroduction. Despite a collection for food, and the pet trade. It become functionally extinct in nature in the successful reintroduction program, the wild is estimated that 50,000 radiated tortoises next ten years. population is in serious decline again, hence are shipped each year from Tulear alone to the captive population takes on a much more

36 August 2008 turtle survival alliance an dij k l v p e t r pau Typical bamboo forest at Baly Bay where young captive bred angonoka are released by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust program. M auric e Ro dri g u s This hatchling angonoka was found in the Baly Bay National Park by Maurice Rodrigues. turtle survival alliance August 2008 37 important role. A portion of the TSA funds will be earmarked for creating monitoring camps in the field to guard against smuggling. A new quarantine facility at Amphijoroa should also be constructed as well, so further confiscations in Madagascar can be brought into the captive population without risk to the current captive group.

The fate of tortoises confiscated from the trade was discussed during the workshop, and it was recommended that the Village des Tortues at Mangily - Ifaty could play a key role in holding, quarantining, and eventually redistributing confiscated animals, especially in the south, as well as serving an important education function. We visited this facility and were immediately impressed with both the level of care, as reflected in the general health of the tortoises, and ric k h uds o n Olivier Razandrimamlfinarivo or Mamy, is the- pri mary tortoise caretaker at Ifaty and has years of husbandry experience.

well as the captive environments which are basically fenced natural habitat. Located just north of Tulear, this center was started by the noted French chelonian conservationist Bernard Devaux, with the goal of providing a refuge for confiscated radiated and spider tortoises. The original SOPTOM – Village des Tortues is in Gonfaron France, and has expanded to other areas including Senegal and Madagascar. Occupying one of the last small pockets of spiny forest remaining in the area, the center has become a popular tourist ric k h uds o n The tortoise enclosures are fenced areas of natural spiny desert forest, a rapidly disappearing habitat in destination. Currently the center maintains southwestern Madagascar. the largest captive population of northern spider tortoises, Pyxis a. brygooi, in the world

38 August 2008 turtle survival alliance made of concrete, wood and bamboo, and will be 8m x 4m in size. This clinic will be used to treat all incoming tortoises with any illnesses or injuries they might have brought in as well as to treat the established collection when necessary. Much of the medicines and equipment will be donated by French hospitals that work closely with Bernard’s SOPTOM tortoise facility in France.

Given the rapidly worsening situation for Madagascar’s chelonians, the TSA is stepping up to the challenge of their commitment to zero turtle in the 21st century. Over the next five years we will pursue an aggressive fundraising campaign to better position us to expand our role in this biodiversity hotspot. We know what the priorities are, and what must be done, but decisive action is required now. Other conservation NGOs are already working in Madagascar, and we must decide how we can best integrate our ric k h uds o n efforts with theirs. We are starting off strong The Village des Tortues in Mangily – Ifaty is a division of Bernard Devaux’s SOPTOM. due to generous support from several key donors. Batchelor Foundation funds will – 620 specimens - as well as captive assurance the workshop discussing design plans be used to fund the proposed angonoka colonies of the other two arachnoides and costs. We will invest $4,000 initially monitoring camps near Baly Bay. Roy subspecies . ~350 radiated tortoises also call on exhibit upgrades and a new hospital/ Young and his company, Nature’s Own, this facility home. The primary caretaker, quarantine facility. The new enclosure will donated substantial funds that will be used Olivier Razandrimamlfinarivo (Mamy for be much larger then the previous exhibit and, at the Ampijoroa breeding center and the short), has done a tremendous job with all due to the center’s location in the coastal arid Village des Tortues. The funds directed at the tortoises here, but with so many animals southwestern spiny desert, will closely mimic Project Angonoka will be complimented coming in through confiscations, the center the natural habitat of the spider tortoise. The by matching contributions from the Behler must be expanded. second enclosure will serve as quarantine Chelonian Center. Knoxville Zoo, with the holding for any new spider tortoises brought help of volunteer Kristina Lucas Francis and The TSA decided to invest in the Village des in from future confiscations. Constructed her husband Paul, are also contributing to Tortues and spent several months following in the local style the Tortoise Hospital will be the Village des Tortues, and recently the Los Angeles Zoo awarded a $2,000 grant to the TSA, also earmarked for Pyxis programs. We offer our sincere appreciation to everyone that has helped to support our new Madagascar program. Gratitude also goes out to all the TSA members who purchased hand painted Pyxis sculptures that Kristina made last fall, and to those who adopted surplus spider tortoises from Knoxville Zoo. This is a great start, but more will be needed in the future. Please do not hesitate to help out in any way you can.  ric k h uds o n Large number of Radiated tortoises are placed at the Village des Tortues from seizures heading for food Turtle Survival Alliance markets in Toliara.

turtle survival alliance August 2008 39 Range Country: Madagascar

Madagascar Quest: Twelve days to find fourPyxis Michael Ogle and Rick Hudson

ollowing the IUCN Madagascar meeting Fin January 2008, we traveled throughout southwestern Madagascar, sampling as many areas as possible for populations of the three subspecies of spider tortoise (Pyxis a. arachnoides, brygooi, and oblonga). The ultimate goal was to find all four Pyxis (including planicauda) during a 12-day stint in the field. Upon arriving in Faux Cap from Tolanaro (Fort Dauphin), we began our search for the southern spider tortoise (P. a. oblonga). After speaking with several of the locals, we determined that many tortoises, including radiated (Astrochelys radiata), had already been collected out by smugglers over the last few years. Much of the coastal scrub – dune habitat that spider tortoises prefer remains intact, but after several hours of searching we were able to find only two male oblonga. The radiated tortoise population are severely depleted as well, and most of the specimens we found were juveniles or young adult males. Not a single adult female was

found, which further points to illegal hunting, ric k h uds o n as females are highly prized by collectors. Cap St Marie is a barren, harsh and wind swept environment, and tortoises seek cover during the heat of Sadly the situation with radiated tortoises the day under any bush they can find. has deteriorated rapidly in the Southwest, especially near the urban centers of Toliara During the IUCN meeting, we met Ryan (Tulear) and Tolanaro. Whereas just 10 to Walker, a conservation biologist from the UK 15 years ago, one could easily observe radiata who had done field work with a population of crossing the roads in the late afternoon – they common spider tortoises (Pyxis a. arachnoides) use to magically appear about 4:30 PM as if near Anakao. This small fishing village south someone had thrown a switch – they are now of Toliara already has a number of high-end conspicuous in their absence. resort hotels and appears to be on the verge of further development for tourism. Time will From Faux Cap we drove to Cap Sainte tell how this might affect Pyxis populations Marie, currently the only protected area in the area. Using GPS coordinates, we within the range of the southern spider located Ryan’s old study site to check on tortoise. This small, 1750-hectare reserve the health of the population. Fearing the lies at the southernmost tip of Madagascar, worst, we were pleasantly surprised at how and the windblown landscape gives it an well the population appeared to be doing. In “otherworldly” feeling. A robust population the same amount of time we spent looking of A. radiata, probably the densest in for two southern spiders, we found 5.5.6 Madagascar, thrives in this remote enclave, common spiders. The next morning, we protected by the inaccessibility of the steep drove south of Anakao to another fishing coastline. Reportedly, a sizeable population village - Beheloka - a spot Rick had camped M ic h a el ogle A hatchling Spider Tortoise was found active late in of oblonga occurs here as well; however we in the early 1990s. Although the villagers the afternoon. found only 1.1 in several hours of searching. said all the tortoises had been removed many

40 August 2008 turtle survival alliance ric k h uds o n Typical Spider Tortoise habitat at Faux Cap is coastal scrub dune studded with Euphorbias.

years ago, we found 2.2 Pyxis in less than from brygooi. Interviews with locals indicated one hour of searching, but far less than the that Pyxis could no longer be found around densities observed in 1991. Sadly there was Ifaty, and they advised us we would have to no sign of radiated tortoises which had once search further north. It appeared they were been abundant then. On the 40km road right, as much of the habitat in the area has between the two villages, we located another been severely altered for agriculture, and long 1.2. Road cruising later that day, this time drives revealed no suitable areas to search heading north of Anakao toward Soalara, we for Pyxis. It was not until our last day in had our best find yet. On a 12 km stretch of the field that, quite by surprise, we found road, we found and processed 9.8 tortoises in the last subspecies. Surrounding our hotel two and half hours. was a small isolated 22 ha private reserve with intact dry forest habitat. As luck would The last area we visited in the south was have it, this tiny forest enclave supports a the town of Ifaty. This is the southernmost fairly robust and reproductively active Pyxis area where the northern spider tortoise population. Leaving the hotel and reserve (P. a. brygooi) can be found. From our early in the morning, we found 3.8.6 in less observations, it appears that more work is than 30 minutes. needed to determine the extent of the zone ric k h uds o n of intergradation, as some of the tortoises In addition to collecting basic morphometric Michael Ogle weighs a Spider Tortoise. had a fairly flexible anterior hinge, a key data on each tortoise, we recorded the time characteristic in differentiating arachnoides and the ambient temperature in order to

turtle survival alliance August 2008 41 establish a general activity pattern. Due to However, this is not an accurate reflection of soon-to-be-expanded protected areas system the harsh environmental conditions in the the habitat occupancy “on the ground.” There in Madagascar. Also, we hope to be able to arid southwest, Pyxis is generally crepuscular, are gaps in this distribution due to habitat correlate Pyxis distribution with habitat being active between 6:30 – 9:00 A.M. and loss and collection for the pet trade. The disturbance, forest cover, and proximity 4:30 – 7:00 P.M., at temperatures ranging dry spiny forests of southern Madagascar are to urban centers, roads, and rivers. Given from 30 – 34° C. GPS data were recorded under intense pressure due to charcoal and the rapidly changing landscape in southern for incorporation into a broader GIS mapping agricultural conversion and represent one of Madagascar and the vulnerability of Pyxis project of Pyxis habitat and distribution. the most rapidly disappearing ecosystems in populations to habitat disturbance and over- Madagascar. As a follow up to the workshop collection, we envision this project as playing Current range maps of Madagascar show Pyxis in Madagascar, Rick Hudson and the GIS an important role in their survival. In light distribution as an unbroken narrow band unit at Texas Christian University in Fort of the recent recommendation to elevate all along the coast of southwestern Madagascar. Worth are beginning a project to develop a Pyxis to IUCN Critically Endangered status, “real time” map of spider tortoise (including we advocate strongly for a renewed emphasis all three subspecies) distribution along on studbook management of ex situ captive the southern coast using GPS data. populations and the expansion of range state This map will grow into what we hope will assurance colonies such as the Village des provide us with a more accurate assessment Tortues at Ifaty. of where Pyxis actually occur and where they  don’t. To date, we have accumulated GPS data from seven sources, and the database will continue to expand as additional old data are incorporated and new data become available. Using this information and map, we will be able to pinpoint hotspots of distribution ric k h uds o n as well as gaps that need to be surveyed. A particularly brightly patterned Spider Tortoise. Working with Conservation International, we hope to include some of these hotspots in the

42 August 2008 turtle survival alliance Range Country: Cambodia

Behavioral Ecology of the Impressed Tortoise in the Wild of Cambodia

Chey Koulang

he Impressed Tortoise, Manouria at determining the various forest habitats, temperature was recorded at 180 to 210 C. Timpressa, inhabits the evergreen forests micro-habitats, temperature, humidity, home Humidity was very high, ranging from 70% of montane parts of Southeast Asia in range, and food types. Twelve tortoises were to 96%, being higher at night. Humidity at Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, Lao attached with the radio transmitters in the micro habitats was 78% to 98%, but rarely PDR, Malaysia, and Southern China. It lives study, four females and eight males. would drop lower, to 66% at the lowest, in the in high elevations about 800 meters or over, afternoons. On no occasion did we find M. Habitats and its behavior and status in the wild are impressa basking or soaking in water. Soaking little known. It eats mostly mushrooms and is The study site in the Cardamom Mountains, activity is seen in captivity, and observed by also reported to eat bamboo shoots. They are known as Impressed Tortoise Mountain, consists the local people only at high temperatures. classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of evergreen and bamboo forest. The forests Food Types and listed in Appendix II of CITES. are wet with rain nearly every day in the rainy Due to difficulties in maintaining and breeding season and less so in the dry season. Mostly We found that M. impressa primarily eats M. impressa in captivity, husbandry trials are the tortoises hide under logs, bamboo tubes, many kinds of mushrooms and two plant underway to assess problems with adapting tree roots, or leaf litter, or in holes. The habitat species. There are reports indicating that to a captive environment and possible disease is generally covered with full canopy to semi bamboo shoots are also eaten, however this infection. However, information on their canopy, or on rare occasions, completely open. study could not confirm that. The plant and natural ecology should be collected through If the canopy is full, M. impressa stays under mushrooms species are not yet identified research on wild populations. This may help tree roots or leaf litter, or around tree stumps; because there are no scientists that are familiar improve the success with captive animals. however they are more visible and exposed with these groups of Cambodia. We hope they than in the semi- and open canopy. They will be identified soon. In 2007, research on the behavioral ecology remain completely hidden in open areas. Behavior of M. impressa got underway in the Central Cardamom Protected Forest (CCPF), located The temperature recorded during the study The Impressed tortoise spends the majority 0 0 in Southwest Cambodia, as a thesis for an was 15 C minimum at 4 AM and 27 C of its time hiding, more so than any other MSc on conservation biodiversity at Royal maximum at 1:30 PM. The temperature of activity. Sometimes they remain hidden in one University of Phnom Penh. Radio telemetry the micro-habitat is cooler than compared place for up to two weeks, especially when in was used in the study and research was directed to the ambient temperature. Micro-habitat a hole; also the first time after being released with a transmitter they remain hidden for long periods of time. A tortoise can travel about 200m or more in one day, even a small tortoise about 0.5 kg. The body size of the tortoise was not found to be related to the home range. A study on activity patterns will be conducted later when we have suitable equipment for this type of research. We wish to acknowledge the following for supporting our field research on M. impressa, including equipment and technical training: David Emmett (CI-Cambodia), Craig Stanford, the Turtle Survival Alliance via the Batchelor Foundation, Ron Tremper, and Chuck Landrey. The Cambodian Forestry Administration helped support this project in the CCPF.  Chey K o u l an g

turtle survival alliance August 2008 43 Range Country: Vietnam

The Project develops in central Vietnam

Tim McCormack, Doug Hendrie, Nguyen Duc Luong, and Nguyen Xuan Thuan

n November 2006 a wild specimen of the Icritically endangered Vietnamese pond turtle was found in in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, that led to the development of the annamensis Project (MAP) in September 2007. A full time research and conservation team was located in the commune where the species was confirmed and has been working throughout local districts. A primary objective has been to increase the profile and visibility of efforts to protect the species at the initial site while conducting additional interviews and trapping surveys.

Interviewers in Quang Nam province have seen several turtle species in local trade including five M. annamensis. The turtles were observed in the possession of a single trader in Vinh Dien town of Dien Ban district close to the commune in which the MAP team is situated. While one animal had been caught in the same commune where the MAP is based, three others were caught in a neighbouring commune. Information from this and other traders indicated the species is becoming increasingly rare. This is further supported by the fact that all five animals observed were sub-adults or juveniles, ranging from 280g down to just 85g. The fact such DUC L U O N G A Mauremys annamensis seen in the trade in Quang Ngai province at a potential new site for the spe- small animals are being hunted and traded is cies. particularly alarming.

Resulting from information collected on Awareness activities have also been initiated the trade by the MAP team, a number of with village level community meetings and confiscations have been made in Quang school education programs focused on turtle Nam and neighbouring provinces. Most conservation being held in the focus district. notably this resulted in the confiscation of six Cuora bourreti, two Cuora mouhotii and a During May and June 2008 interview surveys single Pelochelys cantorii from one trader. But were also conducted throughout six low lying it remains apparent that continued trade of coastal districts in Quang Ngai province, turtles within central Vietnam is the major located to the south of Quang Nam province threat facing most species. where the MAP team has been focused. Interviews around slow moving rivers and In addition to interview surveys additional wetlands observed six M. annamensis in the trapping has also been conducted. While no local trade. All were reportedly from the T im mcc o rmac k This busy fishing village illustrates the pressure that additional M. annamensis have been caught, same district, Binh Son, with two animals aquatic organisms face in Vietnam. an Ocadia sinensis and sinensis have. apparently caught in the same pond. These

44 August 2008 turtle survival alliance findings have provided a second commune maintained at the facility and encouraged The survival of Mauremys annamensis in the location in which the species is likely to still to breed, with juveniles being allowed to wild depends upon urgent and timely action occur in low numbers, and where the MAP disperse into the wild from the captive facility. to prioritize local protection of the species team hopes to undertake additional surveys Adult turtles will be sourced from local trade within its range in the near future. confiscations or from some of the more than 140 M. annamensis currently maintained The MAP is currently supported by MAP will continue to develop the following at the Turtle Conservation Center (TCC) Conservation International (CI), Cleveland activities throughout 2008 including: at Cuc Phuong National Park. Most of Metroparks Zoo and the Turtle Survival these turtles were hatched at the TCC from Alliance (TSA) with surveys being conducted Awareness : Continue to carry out local and adults confiscated from the illegal wildlife by the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) in provincial level awareness activities. trade. Proper health screening and genetic cooperation with the Forest Protection evaluation will apply to all animals involved Department (FPD) of Quang Ngai and • Expansion of the school program in this program. Quang Nam Province. to additional schools in and around  confirmedMauremys habitat. Reintroduction: Another possible course of action for the MAP will be a planned • Carry out additional village-level reintroduction and monitored release of M. meetings to raise awareness about the annamensis into the wild at a suitable site importance of the species in stakeholder within the species’ range where they might be communities. In particular this will afforded some level of local protection. This focus on addressing harmful fishing project component requires considerable practises currently utilised such as planning including a full assessment of electro-fishing. potential release sites. If carried out, the release would strictly adhere to IUCN Site-based Monitoring: Continue to guidelines for translocation and release T im mcc o rmac k monitor sites in Quang Nam province and of wildlife, and could potentially be used Intensive fishing in most low lying wetlands and additional new localities in Quang Ngai ponds is a major threat for remaining Mauremys as a model in Vietnam for fulfilling such annamensis. province. requirements. Enforcement: Work closely with Education Repatriation for Nature – Vietnam (ENV) and their : Another pending activity Wildlife Crime Unit to strategically reduce under MAP is the potential repatriation local trade of the species, and mobilize more of more than 100 M. annamensis currently effective enforcement on behalf of provincial held in captivity in the US. Planned for wildlife protection officers. 2009, these turtles would almost certainly be transferred to the TCC at Cuc Phuong Additional surveys: Conduct additional National Park. In 2006, the Kadoorie Farm interview and field surveys upriver in the Thu and Botanic Garden of Hong Kong returned

Bon River of Quang Nam province. Also 32 M. annamensis to Vietnam in a highly Ng u ye n an h du more focus surveys in Binh Son district in celebrated example of cooperation between Cuora bourreti in the trade. Quang Ngai and new surveys further south governments that also brought considerable into Binh Dinh Provinces. attention to the plight of the species. The Asian Turtle Program (ATP) values the Protected Area: Establish a Mauremys potential return of the U.S. turtles as an Conservation Area in Quang Nam or Quang opportunity to bring additional attention to Ngai province to help ensure the long term the species and bolster efforts to protect M. survival of the species. This endeavour would annamensis in the wild. Eventually the turtles involve identifying a suitable wetland area could be evaluated for release or be used as where the species is believed to still occur in founders in the local breeding program. the wild, or has occurred until recently, that will be designated as a species conservation Research: Continue to collect information zone. At present no protected areas provide through interviews, observation, monitoring, suitable wetland habitat for the species, or a and trapping to learn more about the species, secure area where the species can recover. its habitat, and ecological requirements. Through the ATP tortoise and freshwater Captive holding and dispersal site: Establish turtle field skill training course, Da Nang Ng u ye n an h du Pelochelys cantorii with Nguyen Duc Luong, the a small captive holding and breeding facility University (near Quang Nam province) MAP field officer, shortly before the animal was for the species with adjacent riparian wetlands has already expressed an interest in having confiscated by Quang Nam province Forest or in suitable habitat for the species within students involved in research projects, Protection Department (FPD). its native range. Adult founder stock will be potentially including M. annamensis. turtle survival alliance August 2008 45 Range Country: Mauritius

The wrong tortoises in the right place: ecosystem restoration in Mauritius using proxy alien species

Christine Griffiths

he Mascarene Islands (Mauritius, extinction has left a legacy of ecosystem TReunion, and Rodrigues), lying east of dysfunction threatening the remnants of native Madagascar, were once home to a diverse biota. For example, following the eradication radiation of endemic giant tortoises in the of introduced mammalian genus . All of these insular (goats and rabbits) in the 1970s and 1980s forms were driven to extinction by human from Round Island, many native grassland exploitation and alien species introductions species declined and some disappeared. This from 1600 to 1800. Mauritius had two decline coincided with a rapid increase in endemic tortoises (a larger and smaller form): the distribution and abundance of faster- Cylindraspis inepta and C. triserrata. Like the growing alien grasses and herbs, which are famous dodo, these species disappeared from now ubiquitous. It is anticipated that the the main island of Mauritius soon after human introduction of substitute (proxy) tortoises settlement in the late seventeenth century, may help to restore “natural” grazing pressure but apparently giant tortoises persisted on potentially benefiting the native grassland Round Island until 1844. Survival there community. may have been due to the difficult landing conditions and rugged volcanic topography Grazing is not the only function giant of this relatively small island (215ha) located tortoises would have performed. Many 22 km off the northern coast of Mauritius. Mauritian trees produce large fruits, whose Even with the tortoises now absent, Round seeds may once have been dispersed by the Island has retained a suite of unique endemic island’s endemic large-bodied vertebrates, of The tortoises journey to Round Island. reptiles and remnants of the native palm-rich which almost all are now extinct. Tortoises forest ecosystem that was once widespread on were likely key seed dispersers, as fruits to the same family as the extinct species Mauritius. represent an important part of many extant (Testudinidae) were chosen as potential tortoises’ diet. Limited seed dispersal and proxies, because both species are selective In 2007, tortoises were returned to Round poor seedling recruitment are widespread grazers, capable of consuming and dispersing Island after an absence of more than 160 problems in Mauritian habitats and hampers large-seeded fruit, and locally available. The years. The initial ecosystem restoration natural regeneration. tortoises most closely resemble the effort involves 12 Aldabra giant tortoises, morphology of the extinct dome–shelled gigantea, and 12 Madagascar Today Round Island harbors the last remnants Mauritian species, while the Madagascar radiated tortoises, Astrochelys radiata. So of open palm-rich forest, which is where the species might be better adapted to the dry why would we want to introduce these alien extinct tortoises are thought to have occurred conditions of Round Island. tortoises to an island that still retains high at greatest densities. Management of Round endemism and conservation value? Similar to Island’s biota has failed to compensate for After rigorous disease screening and Aldabra, the Cylindraspis giant tortoises were the loss of tortoises, which were clearly an quarantining procedures, the tortoises were the predominant large native herbivores until important component in this forest. So it transported by helicopter to Round Island in their extinction. Given their long evolutionary would appear that long-term restoration can June 2007. To prevent breeding, only male association with Mauritius and the vast be achieved only by re-instating the functional radiated tortoises and sub-adult Aldabran populations reported by early explorers, processes performed by the extinct tortoises. tortoises were used. Two tortoises of the same these herbivores were likely to have exerted species were assigned to 8 m x 8 m enclosures strong selective pressures on the native plant The lack of selective grazing and seed dispersal so their impact on the ecosystem could be communities. Despite little being known functions has important implications for closely studied. The aim of this PhD study is about their feeding and behavioral ecology, the conservation and restoration of native to determine whether Aldabra giant tortoises we can assume that they were important biota. To solve these problems, Mauritian and Madagascar radiated tortoises will be grazers, browsers, and seed dispersers, like Wildlife Foundation, a local NGO, and the suitable surrogates for the extinct species and extant giant tortoises elsewhere. Government of Mauritius are using ecological will assist in the restoration and preservation substitutes to restore lost ecosystem functions. of Round Island’s biota. To date, ten months There is ample evidence to suggest that their Aldabra and Madagascar tortoises belonging of data have been collected on the impact

46 August 2008 turtle survival alliance of tortoises on the plant, invertebrate, and reptile communities. These data will provide an indication of the effect tortoises have on the whole ecosystem. Preliminary results suggest that both tortoise species preferentially graze the faster-growing exotic grasses and herbs, which should thereby benefit the native grassland community. Both species also readily consume the fruits of the endemic critically endangered Latania loddigesii and Pandanus vandermeerschii, two tree species in the palm savannah habitat, which are seed- dispersal limited.

In May 2008, the tortoises were released from their enclosures and allowed to range freely over the island. They are being radio- tracked to monitor how they interact with the Round Island ecosystems and whether their long-term introduction would benefit the island. Macro- and micro-habitat use, diet, and range data will be collected to ascertain how both species use the various habitats and whether they can cope with the harsh climatic conditions and terrain. This trial is important since it will help inform decisions about introducing tortoises to other islands. Tortoises are ideal surrogates, as they present no apparent risks: They can easily be monitored, controlled and removed, if necessary. It is hoped that introducing tortoises will provide a relatively easy, simple, and cost-effective way to restore lost dynamics, such as grazing and seed dispersal, and manage invasive weeds in far larger areas than is possible by humans.

A special thanks to Owen Griffiths and the staff of La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes for the donation of tortoises to the project, and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and the National Parks and Conservation Services A male Radiated tortoise with radio transmitter, after release on Round Island. for their support and assistance. 

One of the Aldabran enclosures before tortoises were introduced, left, and then after four months later, Aldabran giant tortoises grazing on Round Island. right.

turtle survival alliance August 2008 47 Range Country: Myanmar

TSA — WCS Myanmar Turtle Conservation Program

Rick Hudson, Khin Maung Myint, Ye Myint, Khin Myo Myo, Win Ko Ko and Kalyar Platt

ith 27 species, including seven that are Wendemic, Myanmar (formerly Burma) is a turtle diversity hotspot and ranks just behind China as the second most important country in Asia for turtle conservation. But Myanmar’s turtles are under increasing pressure, and with porous borders with China in the north, as well as four other countries, many thousands are being harvested for transport to food markets. Recent market surveys in Guangzhou, China revealed that the majority of the wild caught turtles for sale were of Myanmar origin.

Since 2003, the TSA has maintained a presence in Myanmar, working in close collaboration with our partner organization, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)- Myanmar, based in Yangon. WCS co-funds many of the activities, and through the local office in Yangon provides logistical and technical assistance to facilitate our various projects and visits. Without their support ric k h uds o n This young male Burmese roof turtle is ready to be introduced to the adult breeding group. the TSA would be unable to work in this country. The joint WCS/TSA program is best described as an integrative approach, remarkably dedicated individuals performs a fishing practices (dynamite) and collection for focusing largely on critically endangered broad range of conservation activities aimed Chinese food markets. However, the single endemics and combining the development of at gaining a clearer understanding of the most important threat currently is a proposed captive assurance colonies with efforts to save status and threats facing this highly at-risk hydroelectric dam that will inundate all the species in nature. species. River surveys to locate new nesting known nesting beaches for this species and individuals and populations, coupled with impound the river where they are known extensive interviews with local villagers and to persist. When this dam will become a fishermen, have helped pinpoint riverbanks reality is open to speculation, but we must The TSA’s initial focus was the Burmese that are consistently used for nesting. Once be prepared for that eventuality. In order to roofed turtle, Batagur (Kachuga) trivittata, nests are identified, they are guarded or moved draft a Species Recovery Plan (SRP) that will a critically endangered endemic river turtle to safer areas for incubation. This technique ensure the survival of the Burmese roofed rediscovered in 2002 by Gerald Kuchling. has been quite successful, and since 2006, a turtle, a workshop was planned in 2007. But Efforts to save this rare turtle have focused total of 163 hatchlings have been taken to the it continues to be postponed for a variety of on studying and protecting the remnant wild Yadanabon Zoo for headstarting, including reasons--some political, and some natural, population on the Upper Chindwin River and 68 in 2008. like the recent cyclone that devastated much establishing a captive breeding population at of southern Myanmar. Once completed, the Yadanabon Zoo in Mandalay. The Upper The remaining wild population is highly the SRP will provide a blueprint to guide Chindwin is restricted to foreigners, so all vulnerable to extinction, with a small number management decisions for both the captive conservation and research work is carried of nesting females each year laying clutches and wild population. Fortunately most of out by the WCS-Myanmar turtle team of with a high incidence of infertility. Chronic, the pieces are in place to implement an SRP, Khin Myo Myo, U Win Ko Ko, and Kyaw long-term collection of eggs from freshly laid and both the field and captive programs Moe, in collaboration with the staff of the nests decimated the population, and current are working in tandem to support one Htamanthi Wildlife Sancturay. This group of threats include drowning in fishing nets, illegal another. This is underscored by the fact

48 August 2008 turtle survival alliance that the growing captive population is being subsidized by the wild population (hatchlings from natural nests that would have otherwise been destroyed), which we hope will some day be augmented through reintroductions from the headstarting program. Ideally this is how an integrated conservation program should function. The field aspect of the trivittata conservation program has received funding from WCS, the Turtle Conservation

Fund, and the Batchelor Foundation. ric k h uds o n The hatchling rearing units are predator proof and Modifications to the Burmese roof turtle “grow The captive program is making significant offer good sunlight exposure as well as protection out” facility included improved water flow and from rain. filtration, basking opportunities, and the ability to progress, and the new breeding and provide warm water during winter months. These management facility that opened in December changes were a joint project of the Yadanabon Zoo maintenance staff woking with Dave Manser 2006 (see 2007 TSA newsletter) is running assurance colony that provides opportunities (Ponds and Plants). effectively, thanks to an August 2007 visit for the recovery of the wild population. Using by TSA member Dave Manser (Ponds and this species as a model, we intend to develop Plants). Working with WCS and Yadanabon other programs with similar potential and that Zoo staff, Dave oversaw a basic re-tooling of will offer new hope for Myanmar’s threatened black market pet trade. Now extremely the headstarting ponds, adding increased chelonians. Funding for construction of the rare in nature, the water flow with improved aeration and captive management facility was sponsored can be described as conservation dependent filtration, and new basking platforms – all of by a grant from the Batchelor Foundation and owes its existence to captive breeding which have contributed to greatly improved to the TSA with support from the British populations. Fortunately there are four star husbandry for the rapidly growing juveniles. Chelonia Group. Husbandry modifications tortoise breeding facilities in government- Meanwhile, husbandry changes were made were carried out with a generous donation run Forestry Stations and zoos in Myanmar. to the large pond that houses the captive from the Taronga Zoo These include Yadanobon Zoo in Mandalay, nucleus of 3.3 adults to make conditions Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary, Shwesettaw more conducive to breeding. Two truckloads Burmese star tortoise WS, and Lawkananda Park near Bagan. of sand were added to the nesting area (all All four facilities have successful breeding unloaded by women with baskets), making it Another critically endangered endemic, groups, with Lawkananda holding the largest deeper and more visible from the water. Trees Geochelone platynota, is threatened throughout number—more than 400 tortoises. With were removed to permit better sun exposure. its range by collection for the high-end black market prices remaining high over the ve mans e r da Improvements were made to the Burmese roof turtle breeding pond including an anchored basking platform and expanded nesting beach.

A floating wooden platform was anchored in the center of the pond to encourage basking. Though this group has not yet laid eggs, we are confident that it’s just a matter of time and proper husbandry for this group to acclimate and start reproducing.

The Yadanabon Zoo captive program offers a This new facility for Burmese star tortoises at the Yadanabon Zoo provides improved husbandry and safety net for this highly endangered species breeding conditions, as well as good security. and is an excellent example of a range country

turtle survival alliance August 2008 49 a small group of Manouria that had been seized from the illegal trade. Instead, they found a group of 76 adult phayrei and three M. impressa, a pleasant surprise but one that greatly compounded the work load. However, most were in relatively good shape, though somewhat dehydrated, so the first order was to dig a pond where they could soak and drink. Lonnie took charge of husbandry and soon had even the most reluctant tortoises feeding on melons and bananas. Daily trips to the morning market assured an ample supply of fresh produce. Shade structures were built for retreats, and the enclosure was subdivided so that groups could be separated according to size, sex, and husbandry needs. By the third day, an assembly line had been set up to process the tortoises, collect data, and implant microchip IDs. Assisted by WCS-Myanmar turtle team The new star tortoise breeding facility at the Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary was funded by the TSA/ member Khin Myo Myo and her University Batchelor Foundation and the EAZA Shellshock campaign.Increased security was one of the primary goals of Mandalay colleagues, all tortoises were for the new facility. weighed and measured with the assistance of Brian Horne. Dr. Bonnie Raphael, working years, nearly all wild individuals are collected adequate security. Foremost, special juvenile with local zoo vets Tint Lwin and Thaw Thaw when encountered. Captive groups are not rearing units are included, with a total cost Lin, performed health exams and treated safe either, and thefts have plagued at least of $10,000 US. Funds for this facility were minor ailments and parasites. By the time one captive facility, so security issues are a provided by the Batchelor Foundation and the TSA team was ready to depart, we were major consideration that must be addressed a generous donation from Kate and Frank confident that the tortoises were stabilized in facility design and management. Slavens in 2007. and could survive until they can be moved to a new home. Much of this rescue work The TSA has focused its attention on Burmese star tortoises reproduce well in was funded from a generous gift from Andy improvements to two of these facilities, captivity, especially in their natural range, Sabin to WCS. Minsontaung and Yadanabon Zoo. Though and the number in captivity is expanding the tortoise breeding and rearing enclosures rapidly, to the point where the government The majority of theManouria are destined to at Minsontaung were adequate and hatching is now encouraging the release of captive move to a facility situated within their natural success improved every year since starting bred stock. In order to get a handle on this range. The Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range at in 2003, security had become a major growing population, and to be able to track Gwa, in the western Rakhine State, has a turtle concern. With support from the EAZA and monitor both captive and released wild facility at the Forestry Station. Expansion of Shellshock campaign and the Batchelor tortoises, TSA wants to set up a system to this facility will accommodate a large group Foundation, and working under the aegis inventory all star tortoises in captivity in of Manouria emys so a reproducing and self- of WCS-Myanmar, the TSA directed more Myanmar. This will start with implanting sustaining assurance colony can be established. than $16,000 US toward construction of a microchip implants (PIT tags) in all tortoises, M. e. phayrei have become extremely rare in new and vastly expanded breeding facility. which will require a major grant to fund. Myanmar due to over-hunting. Being able to With Minsontaung situated within the historical range of Burmese star tortoises, this Asian mountain tortoises facility will likely become an important pre- release holding site for tortoises destined for In what can best be described as one of TSA’s reintroduction. finest hours, a team consisting of Dr. Bonnie Raphael (WCS), Kalyar Platt (WCS), Lonnie At Yadanabon Zoo, another successful Star McCaskill (Disney), Dave Manser (Ponds tortoise breeding program is underway, and Plants), Brian Horne (San Diego Zoo though compounded by a range of CRES) and Rick Hudson (Fort Worth Zoo) husbandry issues ranging from inadequate arrived in Mandalay in August 2007 to work nesting substrate to improper juvenile diet, at the Yadanabon Zoo on a variety of projects. husbandry, and growth. An architect was Hosted by Win Ko Ko (WCS-Myanmar ric k h uds o n Dr. Bonnie Raphael (WCS) works with Yadanobon hired to design a new facility on a hillside turtle team), Ye Myint, (Warden of Mandalay Zoo veterinarians Drs. Tint Lwin and Thaw Thaw Lin adjacent to the old one that would remedy Zoo), and Tint Lwin (Yadanabon Zoo head on collecting samples, implanting PIT tags and these husbandry problems and provide veterinarian), the team expected to process doing health evaluations.

50 August 2008 turtle survival alliance establish a breeding colony is an opportunity that cannot be passed up. Though thephayrei race is well represented in Thailand and in U.S. collections, the genetics of the northern range populations (India and Myanmar) are extremely rare in captivity. The climatic conditions at Gwa are much more conducive to the long-term health and survival of Manouria than those at Mandalay, which gets extremely hot and dry. A final surprise was in store for the TSA team on the last day: While we were sorting through another large group of confiscated turtles, primarily yellow tortoises, Indotestudo elongata, three Arakan forest turtles, Heosemys depressa, were discovered. This is another critically endangered turtle endemic to Myanmar, and

a small captive group is currently maintained ric k h uds o n at Gwa. Plans are to move these three to that Some of the Manouria appeared so stressed from their previous ordeal that they would often fall asleep spontaneously. facility as well, which lies within the natural range of the species. of infrastructure expansion and staff increases We are especially grateful to Kalyar Platt whose are needed. The ultimate goal is to invest in translation services helped immeasurably these facilities, improving them so they can with getting things done. We could not become turtle conservation centers capable communicate effectively or hope to achieve of managing assurance colonies of key what we did without her. endemic and threatened species or effectively processing trade seizures. Trade workshop status Funding for this important workshop has In response to the growing number of been provided by grants from the Batchelor chelonian confiscations in Myanmar, and ric k h uds o n Foundation, the Turtle Conservation Fund, the need to handle them properly and in Lonnie McCaskill, Yadanobon Zoo veterinarian Dr. the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and the Tint Lwin and Kalyar Platt (WCS, center) discuss Detroit Zoological Society. a way that will confer some conservation husbandry options on special needs tortoises. benefit to the species, a three-day trade workshop has been proposed and approved. Editors note: The TSA’s program in Titled Developing an integrative strategy for a blueprint for handling trade confiscations Myanmar has received substantial support handling turtle confiscations in Myanmar, this that can be utilized throughout the region from the zoo and donor community but one TSA/WCS organized workshop will bring and applied in other countries. For the donation stands out in particular. When together Myanmar government officials recommendations to be effective, there we were struggling financially to meet our and the frontline Forestry Department staff must be existing infrastructure to process commitments in 2007, Frank and Kate Slavens who deal with trade seizures to work with confiscations, house sick or injured quietly handed me a check for $10,000 that external biologists familiar with Burmese chelonians, and develop captive breeding allowed us to keep moving forward. On a chelonians and their habitats, as well as programs. Unfortunately, and all too often, personal level, this contribution means more handling confiscated wildlife and building trade seizures end up at the Yadanabon Zoo to me than any other. R. Hudson assurance colonies. An important topic will in Mandalay, which lies close to a major  be species identification. Hence, individual trade route to China. Facilities there are full species accounts with photos and diagrams and resources stretched thin; other options illustrating the diagnostic characteristics are must be identified. Fortunately in Myanmar being produced by Peter Paul van Dijk. We there is a series of four government-run envision a basic flow chart on how to handle chelonian facilities, located at various various species, providing options ranging Wildlife Sanctuaries and Forestry Stations. from release to the wild to incorporation into Most focus on star tortoises, but the one at assurance colonies. Appropriate release sites Gwa offers climatic conditions favorable to for each species will be identified and priority species inhabiting cool and moist mountain species targeted that should be given special habitats. Following the workshop, the team attention. will visit each of these facilities and conduct a basic needs assessment, determining which

This workshop has the potential to produce species are best suited there and what levels brian d . ho rn e turtle survival alliance August 2008 51 Exclusives, news, & announcements TurTSAtle Survival Alliance

A Taste of Thai funds Impressed Tortoise Research TSA’s 1st Training Scholarship Program underway

Charles Landrey Rick Hudson

n Cambodia, research on the behavioral ecology of the impressed n 3 June 2008, two very tired and weary travelers from Itortoise, Manouria impressa, continues with funding from A Taste OMyanmar (formerly Burma) arrived at Baltimore Washington of Thai, www.atasteofthai.com. Chey Koulang, a conservation airport, after a long flight from Yangon to New York. Khin Myo biology student at Phnom Penh’s Royal University, has spent months Myo and Kyaw Moe are the first participants in the TSA’s Training in the field gathering data on this little understood Southeast Asian Scholarship Program (TSP). Both work for WCS Myanmar’s Turtle species. Conservation Program which works hand in hand with TSA in this hotspot of chelonian diversity. The WCS/TSA Turtle Team is an To help Koulang prepare for his next field season, A Taste of Thai active and hard working group, focusing their efforts primarily on funded a four-month visit to the United States. His stay began with conservation and research of the critically endangered Burmese roof a week-long tour of New England’s chelonians, hosted by Chuck turtle, Batagur (Kachuga) trivittata. Other priorities are breeding Landrey of the Turtle Conservation Project. In Massachusetts, programs for Myanmar endemic species including Burmese star Koulang met with Dr. Charlie Innnis, M. impressa TMG coordinator tortoise and the Arakan forest turtles, and handling confiscations for the TSA. They discussed the species’ temperature and humidity of priority species such as Asian mountain tortoises. Kyaw Moe is needs, plus M. impressa’s dietary preference for mushrooms. Koulang stationed primarily on the remote upper Chindwin River working shared his many photos of the tortoises in their mountain habitat. on the B. trivittata recovery project, while Myo Myo is based in WCS’s Yangon office and handles multiple responsibilities. She Koulang’s next stop was the Wetlands Institute in Cape May, New has received several grants from the Turtle Conservation Fund in Jersey. His three months there, plus a full week at the Chelonian recent years to survey for new wild populations of B. trivittata, Research Institute in Florida, will provide him with a much-enhanced and participated in TSA’s second chelonian husbandry training skill set to bring back to Cambodia. workshop in Hong Kong in 2005.

He will also return to his country with much-needed equipment, Khin Myo Myo and Kyaw Moe will be in the U.S. for 3 ½ months, provided by A Taste of Thai. A new GPS unit, transmitters, receiver, wrapping up at the TSA annual conference in Tucson in September. microchips with scanner, and temperature data loggers will make The core of their training experience will be two months under Dr time in the field far more productive for Koulang and his team. Willem Roosenburg, starting at the Patuxent River Project and then spending time at other sites in Maryland For more information and photos on Chey Koulang’s M. impressa and Ohio. They will undergo a rigorous training program designed research, visit www.atasteofthai.com. to make them better turtle research biologists with the ability and confidence to study turtles in their home country. They will learn basic survey skills to study turtles in three different systems as well as radio telemetry, blood sampling, tissue sampling, and database management. Then beginning in August they will spend two weeks with Dr. Peter Pritchard at the Chelonian Research Institute in Oviedo, Florida, then on to Dr. Ray Ashton’s for experience. Other training opportunities will be offered in Florida, New York and possibly California. They will complete their experience in late September by attending the TSA conference in Tucson, Arizona where many of you will have the opportunity to meet these delightful and dedicated turtle conservationists.

The goal of the TSA Training Scholarship Program (TSP) isto provide a wide range of relevant training experiences to students that are directly working on TSA related programs in range countries. Our goal is to prepare them to return as better field biologists and researchers, and with a renewed sense of passion for tackling the many difficult obstacles they encounter while pursuing In Cambodia, a radio transmitter is attached to an Impressed tortoise. turtle conservation. By offering them a broader perspective

52 August 2008 turtle survival alliance TSA Indian Turtle Conservation Program coordinator wins 2008 Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Hero Award Continued: TSA’s 1st Training Scholarship...

on turtle biology, we feel these students will be better prepared to he DWCF just announced that Shailendra Singh, the TSA critically evaluate situations and make better informed decisions. We T- Madras Crocodile Bank Trust - Zoological Society of San believe the TSP is crucial to our goal of empowering young range Diego Indian Turtle Conservation Program coordinator, was one of state biologists to become effective advocates for turtle conservation 11 recipients of the 2008 Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Hero in their home countries. Awards. The following is taken from the MCBT press release:

The 2008 TSP was funded by a grant from the Batchelor Foundation. The 2009 program, though currently unfunded, will target students from India and China. Please help support this worthwhile endeavor. Together we can make a difference.

Working tirelessly under harsh conditions in the rugged Chambal River valley, Shailendra “Shai” Singh, a soft-spoken Indian graduate student that exudes confidence and passion for wildlife, has found his niche in protecting India’s freshwater turtles and tortoises. Currently he is spearheading the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust/Turtle Survival Alliance’s (MCBT/TSA) Freshwater Turtle Conservation Programme, which aims to ensure the region’s turtles will survive well into the future.

Shai, a promising young herpetologist hails from the small village of Jarwal Road near Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. At nine yeas of age, he acquired two Indian Tent turtles “Tom and Tinky”. His early observations of his pets fuelled his interest to observe turtles in their natural environment. These early field studies at times incurred his mother’s wrath, especially when he cut up his new mosquito net to fish for turtles!!

After completing both a Bachelor and Masters of Science from University of Lucknow in biology and environmental science (respectively), he volunteered with local non-governmental groups as well as the Kukrail Turtle and Gharial Breeding Centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Yet, Shai’s decision to pursue a career in wildlife conservation at times met with opposition from his parents, as he turned down a lucrative officer’s appointment with the Indian Border Security Force. Instead, he followed the inspiration of Romulus Whitaker (founder of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust/Centre for Herpetology) and encouragement of the distinguished naturalist Mr. Wi lle m r oo s e nbur g Dhruvjyoti Basu and accepted the position as project scientist for MCBT/ Kyaw Moe (left) and Khin Myo Myo (WCS Myanmar) are the first participants in the TSA's new Training Scholarship Program. They are shown here shortly TSA turtle conservation programme. This project aims to increase the after their arrival in June 2008, near Patuxent Maryland, holding Diamondback population of the critically endangered Red-Crowned Roof Turtle, Batagur . kachuga, in its last stronghold, the National Chambal Sanctuary. The only river sanctuary in India, these approximately 400 kilometers of protected habitat maintain the last 400-500 adult B. kachuga known to science. In four short years, he has accomplished a great deal. Notably, Shai has

turtle survival alliance August 2008 53 Exclusives, news, & announcements TurTSAtle Survival Alliance

Continued: 2008 Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Hero Award... helped develop a modest turtle headstarting facility, the Garhaita Turtle The single thing that strikes me most about this young man is his Rehabilitation Centre, near the city of Etawah in the state of Uttar drive and passion. He possesses that remarkable ability to analyze Pradesh. In addition, he has overseen the renovations of a defunct gharial problems, determine a solution and then chart a course of action. His enclosure into a second headstarting facility at the Deori Ecocentre near approach to conservation is fundamental and sound, and seems to Gwailor, Madhya Pradesh. He has also been instrumental in the creation come to him instinctively. Above all he makes good decisions. Such of several in-situ riverside hatcheries within the National Chambal qualities are generally not seen in a person of his age. He requires Sanctuary. In hopes of increasing the capacity of these facilities, Shai little encouragement or nudging, and what impresses me most is how is actively fundraising to complete his vision of a model “green” turtle I feel when I listen to him describe new projects he wants to take conservation project with bio-filtration and solar/wind driven pumping on. In the back of my mind all I can think is “how can I find him systems that maximize energy and water use. the funding to do this?” In a time of constant wildlife crisis and sad Active in both community environmental education and reforestation news about the loss of the natural world, I find inspiration in Shai. programmes within the National Chambal Sanctuary, Shai at times, He give me hope for the future and I reserve that comment for very has used personal funds to conduct workshops for school children on the few. Honestly, I think he is the future of turtle conservation in India. importance of conserving biodiversity within the sanctuary. These small R. Hudson." workshops have now blossomed into thousands of school children visiting the Garhaita Turtle Rehabilitation Centre annually.

He has also conducted surveys across northern Indian on the impacts and scale of India’s turtle trade. These activities have culminated in his collaboration with Kalpana Subramanian on the production of an international award winning documentary film with support from the British High Commission, on the perilous plight of Indian turtles and the urgent need for greater conservation measures to ensure their survival. These accomplishments are surely just the start of a long and illustrious career, as Shai’s commitment to conservation is unwavering and an inspiration to us all.

Editor’s note: the following comments were excerpted from Brian Horne’s nomination letter for Shai with comments by Rick Hudson:

"To place his nomination in context it must noted that India, with its burgeoning population and increased levels of poverty amongst its disenfranchised population, is facing monumental obstacles in protecting its wealth of biodiversity. Increasing levels of bureaucracy and decreased levels of funding are but some of the root problems that conservationists face in their effort to counter the rapid declines of some of India’s most charismatic fauna, such as the Bengal Tiger and Asian Elephant. Yet, one young man, Shailendra Singh, a soft- spoken Indian graduate student that exudes confidence and passion for wildlife, has found his niche in protecting India’s freshwater turtles and tortoises. I see great things to come for Shailendra Singh, and I believe his words to me “The conservation of Indian wildlife needs leaders and I am willing to lead” will become quite prophetic. B. Horne Shailendra “Shai” Singh

54 August 2008 turtle survival alliance British Chelonia Group provides ongoing support to TSA programs

Rick Hudson

e announced earlier this year that the British cover the cost of purchasing and shipping incubators to China for the WChelonia Group (BCG) intended to include Rafetus project. We are deeply appreciative of our strong relationship a $10,000 component in their annual fund-raising with this remarkably dedicated group of turtle people. They embody a drive for the TSA. Five thousand would support very can-do attitude towards turtle conservation and we look forward construction of two new headatarting facilities in to a long and productive partnership with them. India for the critically endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle, Batagur (Kachuga) kachuga, that will alleviate crowding and allow turtles to be raised to at least 1000 grams prior to release. The remaining $5,000 would be earmarked for new facility construction for a group of confiscated Asian mountain tortoises, Manouria emys phayrei, in Myanmar, within their former natural range, at the Yoma Elephant Range in Rakhine State. The climatic conditions here will be much more conducive to their health and long term survival than where they are currently being held, the Yadanabon Zoo in Mandalay. We also plan to develop new facilities for a group of confiscated Arakan forest turtles, Heosemys depressa, a critically endangered endemic that is also found in Rakhine State.

The goal of these facilities is to create range country assurance colonies that will help ensure their long term survival in these Three incubators for the Rafetus breeding project at Suzhou Zoo were troubled countries. We have been informed that their funding appeal purchased by the BCG. was successful and that TSA will receive $10,000 for their India and Myanmar (Burma) turtle conservation programs. The BCG is a previous supporter of TSA programs in both India and Myanmar, having funded facilities for B. kachuga at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and for B. trivittata at Mandalay’s Yadanabon Zoo. Recently the BCG “stepped up” again when funds were low, and agreed to ric k h uds o n ric k h uds o n These captive hatched Red Crowned roof turtles were raised in new facilities Lonnie McCaskill oversees a large group of confiscated Manouria e. phayrei built at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in 2004 with BCG funding. at the Yadanobon Zoo in August 2007. New facilities for this group will be built with BCG support.

turtle survival alliance August 2008 55 Exclusives, news, & announcements TurTSAtle Survival Alliance

The Turtle Conservation Fund

Hugh Quinn1 and Anders Rhodin2

he mission of the Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF) is to ensure banded together to help fund this union included TCF, WCS, TSA Tthat no tortoise or freshwater turtle species becomes extinct and (thanks to funding support from the Batchelor Foundation, Kadoorie that sustainable populations of all species persist in the wild. To make Farm and Botanic Garden, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Walter Sedgwick, sure this happens, TCF has focused its conservation efforts on the and David Shapiro). Through the Herculean efforts of Gerald most critically imperiled turtles, those that are teetering on the brink Kuchling (University of Western Australia and Chelonia Enterprises) of extinction. and Lu Shunquing (WCS-China), coupled with expertise and support from Rick Hudson and Scott Davis (Turtle Survival Alliance), Mitch A good example of TCF enacting its mission involves the ongoing Kalmanson (Lester Kalmanson Agency, Inc.), and Paul Calle (WCS), support for conservation programs involving the Yangtze giant the female from the Changsha Zoo in Hunan Province was united softshell, Rafetus swinhoei. Only four living specimens of this turtle with the male at the Suzhou Zoo. Hopefully this will eventually are known, making it one of the world’s most critically endangered result in a dramatic increase in the number of Yangtze giant softshell species. One individual is in Vietnam’s famous Hoan Kiem Lake in turtles. Hanoi, another is in the wild in a lake east of Hanoi, and a pair now resides at the Suzhou Zoo in China’s Jiangsu province. Another good example of the TCF focusing its conservation efforts on the most critically imperiled turtles is the continued support provided Taking a two-pronged approach to conserve this species, TCF to conservation efforts of the river terrapin,Batagur baska. This large supported both field and captive programs. Surveys to locate wild Asian species has suffered dramatically due to over-collection of turtles populations focused in northern Vietnam and southeastern China, and eggs for food. TCF has supported six conservation projects where continued existence of this softshell seemed most likely. In June regarding this species. These have ranged from surveys and protection 2004 TCF supported field surveys in Vietnam, an effort spearheaded of the last known wild populations in Cambodia to headstarting by Doug Hendrie, partnering with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and educational initiatives in Malaysia. Educational initiatives in Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Hanoi National University, the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh were also supported, as were and Education for Nature – Vietnam. This effort eventually led to surveys along the eastern coast of India. Funding these projects the location of the only known living wild specimen, which resides has resulted in a better understanding and protection of the fragile in a wetland east of Hanoi. Worldwide fanfare accompanied the Cambodian populations, a scientifically monitored release program announcement of this truly monumental discovery, and efforts to in Malaysia, and heightened awareness in Cambodia, Malaysia, locate additional specimens continue in this area. Searches are also and Bangladesh regarding the conservation needs of this Critically underway in China’s Yunnan Province by Lu Shunqing of WCS- Endangered species. Taxonomic issues regarding the river terrapin China. Following leads that populations may still persist in the were also clarified by the TCF-supported work of Peter Praschag and Honghe River (Red River) and its tributaries in Yunnan, TCF is colleagues, and it is now recognized as two species, Batagur baska also supporting surveys by Wen Cheng (Peking University), Wang of northeastern India and Bangladesh and B. affinis of the southern Jian (Southwest Forestry Institute), and Zhang Li (Conservation Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. The taxonomic allocation of the International China). These surveys will hopefully result in the extant and extirpated populations in the northern Malay Peninsula, discovery of remnant wild populations in China. Additionally, a much Cambodia, and southern Vietnam remains unclear. Dr. Praschag’s needed examination of the genetic variability of this species was also work makes it clear that Batagur baska, restricted to a few fragile and supported by TCF and undertaken by Minh Duc Le of the American relatively unstudied populations from India and Bangladesh, is also Museum of Natural History and Peter Pritchard of the Chelonian teetering on the brink of extinction, and emphasizes the critical need Research Institute. A quick glance at the names and affiliations of the for conservation measures to be taken immediately if this species is people working to save the Yangtze giant softshell clearly indicates to persist. that conservation work is a team effort requiring partnerships that unselfishly and cooperatively contribute to the overriding goal of In Mexico and Central America, the Critically Endangered Central salvaging this species from the very brink of extinction. American river turtle, Dermatemys mawi, has been a focus of TCF support. Its numbers have declined due to overharvest of turtles and Also emphasizing the importance of forming effective partnerships eggs for food. Projects involving the distribution, ecology, genetics, in conducting conservation programs is the captive aspect of this management, and recovery of this species have been funded by TCF. initiative. This effort brought together the two remaining captive Through these efforts, we now have a better understanding ofthe animals in China, a male and a female. Partner organizations that distribution, abundance, and habits of the Central American river

56 August 2008 turtle survival alliance Continued: The Turtle Conservation Fund...

turtle in Guatemala. Additionally, facilities at a turtle farm in Mexico were enhanced to better care for the turtles there, and the farm staff benefitted from capacity building and training. Genetic analysis of tissues taken from animals of Mexican and Guatemalan origin helped shed light on the variation within this species.

These are only a few examples to illustrate the impact TCF has had on turtle conservation as it strives to meet its mission. Initiatives involving a host of other Endangered and Critically Endangered species from around the globe have received TCF support. A total of 142 grant proposals have been received by TCF from 2003 to March 2008, of which 56 (39 percent) were funded. Total requests were $823,039, with $242,584 (30 percent) awards granted. Support ranged from $1,000 - $10,000 per project, with the average award $4,332. Grants were given to projects in 32 nations (Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Africa, , Togo, Turkey, and Vietnam). Such a broad geographic distribution of funds reflects TCF’s mounting impact on international turtle conservation.

To help provide focus to TCF’s efforts, a list of target species was prepared (Top 25 Turtles on Death Row). To date, projects representing 12 (48 percent) have been funded. An intense proposal solicitation effort will continue for target species, especially those in extreme peril. The world’s Top 25 most endangered turtle and tortoise species as currently defined by the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/trouble/) are (bold print indicates TCF support): Astrochelys yniphora, Batagur baska, Batagur borneoensis, Batagur trivittata, Chelodina mccordi, nigra abingdoni, Chitra chitra, Chitra indica, Cuora aurocapitata, Cuora trifasciata, Cuora yunnanensis, Dermatemys mawii, Elusor macrurus, Erymnochelys madagascariensis, Geochelone platynota, Heosemys depressa, Leucocephalon yuwonoi, Mauremys annamensis, geometricus, Pseudemydura umbrina, Pyxis planicauda, Rafetus swinhoei, leytensis, Terepene coahuila, and Testudo kleinmanii.

Of the 23 turtle taxa listed by IUCN as Critically Endangered (CR), TCF has supported projects specifically involving 9 (39percent), and of the 43 taxa listed as Endangered (EN), TCF has supported specific projects for 9 (21 percent). Of the 66 taxa in these two c he n p el f yok threat categories, TCF has supported projects specifically involving Dr. Eng Heng Chan of the University Malaysia Terengganu, is joined by a group of elementary school children in releasing headstart River terrapins, Batagur 18 (27 percent). The Critically Endangered (CR) and Endangered affinis. (EN) species impacted have been Batagur baska (CR), Batagur

turtle survival alliance August 2008 57 Exclusives, news, & announcements TurTSAtle Survival Alliance

Continued: The Turtle Conservation Fund...

(=Kachuga) dhongoka (EN), Batagur (=Kachuga) kachuga (CR), Batagur (=Kachuga) trivittata (EN), Chelodina mccordi (CR), Cuora Contact Information mccordi (CR), Dermatemys mawii (CR), Geochelone platynota (CR), 1 Indotestudo forstenii (EN), Pelochelys cantorii (EN), lewyana TCF Co-Chair, 8200 Red Deer Road, Rapid City, South Dakota (EN), Psammobates geometricus (EN), Pyxis planicauda (EN), Rafetus 57702 USA [email protected] euphraticus (EN), Rafetus swinhoei (CR), Siebenrockiella leytensis (CR), 2 TCF Co-Chair; Director, Chelonian Research Foundation; Editor, Testudo kleinmanni (CR), and taylori (EN). Chelonian Conservation and Biology; Chair, IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group; 168 Goodrich Street Lunenburg, TCF has also supported projects involving species listed by IUCN MA 01462 USA [email protected] as Extinct (EX) (but since rediscovered) (Cuora yunnanensis), and as www.chelonian.org Extinct in the Wild (EW) (Aspideretes nigricans) (though now known to also exist in the wild). In addition, TCF has provided support for facilities or broad projects that impact additional CR and EN target species. Examples include Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center, Allwetter Zoo, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Parque Nacional de Brazil, Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado, Madagascar Turtle Workshop, Myanmar Turtle Confiscation Workshop, Turtle Conservation Initiative in Pakistan, and Guangdong Province Survey, China. TCF will continue to target its support for Critically Endangered and Endangered species as we strive to pull them back from the brink of extinction. ric k h uds o n mitc h k a l mans o n

Drs. Scott Davis and Gerald Kuchling carry the only female captive Yangtze The Critically Endangered Batagur baska is currently known only from the giant softshell, Rafetus swinhoei, to join a male at the Suzhou Zoo. Sundarbans region of northeastern India and Bangladesh.

58 August 2008 turtle survival alliance Nature’s Own — Putting tortoise sculptures to work for conservation.

Rick Hudson

A gift from Roy Young and Rosa Venezia from Nature’s Own in To develop a strategy to save Madagascar’s chelonians, an IUCN Boulder, Colorado will provide $30,000 toward programs in workshop was held January 2008 that evaluated threats and Madagascar and India. The TSA’s India program is growing rapidly recommended conservation and research actions designed to and our coordinator Shailendra Singh continues to present us with safeguard these species. This grant will be administered in accordance exciting and compelling new conservation initiatives that he wants with priorities identified in that workshop and will be used to to pursue. We want to encourage this enthusiasm and are constantly implement conservation actions for both the ploughshare tortoise seeking new sources of funds to allow this program to grow. India is or angonoka, Geochelone yniphora, and the spider tortoise, Pyxis a big country and our network is expanding along with our capacity arachnoides. Specifically funds will be directed towards the Durrell- to tackle challenging conservation issues. We urgently need to hire managed captive breeding program for angonoka at Amphijora, and another full time biologist to work in India, and the Nature’s Own the Village des Tortues in Ifaty that manages large population of both grant of $15,000 will help that to become a reality soon. We are P. arachnoides (all three subspecies) and radiated tortoises, Astrochelys seeking a match for this grant in order to maximize the impact radiata. Both facilities are excellent examples of range state assurance colonies, offering refuge and safe haven for these imperiled species. The remaining $15,000 will be directed to Madagascar, a hotspot These funds match $15,000 contained in the recent Batchelor of chelonian endemism and a country where TSA needs to develop Foundation grant and will position the TSA to emerge as a strong a stronger presence. With seven endemic taxa (6 tortoises and 1 supporter of turtle conservation in Madagascar. freshwater turtle), all now either ranked Critically Endangered or proposed as such, there is no shortage of work to be done. While the The Nature’s Own donation was provided by the sale of stone tortoise threats to some species have been somewhat abated in recent years sculptures in their stores in Boulder Colorado, and as offered for sale on (curbing commercial collection for the pet trade for example), they the TSA web site. Hand carved in Pakistan and made from travertine are mounting for others. Radiated tortoises are being slaughtered onyx, these beautiful sculptures are an excellent way to support the at an alarming rate in the south. Increasingly, poached ploughshare TSA and acquire a nice display piece or gift in the process. tortoises turn up illegally in Asian markets.

turtle survival alliance August 2008 59 TurTSAtle Survival Alliance

Thank you for your support!

The TSA gratefully acknowledges the following supporters for their generous contributions of $200 or more during the July 2007 to July 2008 time frame:

Allesandro Fornetti, Amy Clark, Barbara Graves, Batchelor Foundation, Beneficia Foundation, Brian Bolton, California Turtle and Tortoise Society (CTTC) – Too Slo Chapter, Cleveland Metroparks Cans for Conservation Program, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo AAZK Chapter, Cleveland Zoological Society, Columbus Zoo, Dallas Zoo, David Shapiro, Dawn Richards, Denver Zoo, AAZK Chapter, Detroit Zoological Society, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, Emily Rhine, Eric Goode, Fort Worth Zoo, Frank and Kate Slavens, Jack Cato, Jason Jeffries, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Karrie Chen, Knoxville Zoo, Nancy and Brett Stearns, Nature’s own, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Orlando Diaz-Figueroa, Patricia Kim, San Francisco Zoo AAZK Chapter, Scott Davis, Sedgwick County Zoo, Sheena Koeth, Tami Smith, Taronga Zoo Foundation, Thomas Murawski, Tim McLaughlin, Turtle and Tortoise Club of Florida, Park Zoo, Zoo Med, Inc., and Zoological Society of San Diego

2008 Symposium Support

The TSA sponsored joint annual Turtle and Tortoise Symposium continues to grow and evolve. We strongly believe in the power of networking, and the synergy and enthusiasm that is generated by this conference is both inspiring and catalytic. Now widely recognized as THE turtle meeting to attend, the symposium has taken on a distinctly international flavor, attracting biologists from a growing number of countries each year. The demands on those of us involved with conference planning and execution have grown as well, and we are always grateful to the handful of energetic individuals that dedicate so much to making this event a memorable, stimulating and productive one. This year in Tucson was particularly challenging because, for the first year, we did not have a local conference host to handle many of the logistics and details.

As he has done for the past six years, Lonnie McCaskill (Conference chairman) rose to the occasion and forged a working relationship with Brook Sauer of the Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau (MTCVB). Brooke expertly handled the situation, and opened the city to us, setting up hotel and venue tours, and basically welcomed the TSA with open arms. She assured us that Tucson was where we needed to be, and backed that up with a nice MTCVB contribution to our icebreaker. Don Boyer (Conference Program chairman) did a superb job of pulling the program together for us this year, with assistance from a number of session chairs. And thanks in advance go to Heather Lowe (TSA Membership Coordinator) and Rose Tremblay and her team from Disney for all the hard work that we have grown to expect from them at conference time - handling registration, merchandising, annual auction and hospitality suite. Without these services, the TSA conference would certainly not meet your expectations. One of our biggest expenses is speaker travel, especially the excellent group of international presenters that will be with us this year. For contributions that help offset speaker travel costs and student speaker awards, we are grateful to Sheena Koeth, Conservation International, Brett and Nancy Stearns, Chelonian Research Foundation, and . As they have in the past, Reptiles Magazine is again helping to sponsor our opening icebreaker. And, in what is becoming an annual tradition, we owe a exceptional debt of gratitude to the BBQ Boys – Greg and Lisette George, Dave Manser (Ponds and Plants) and Jay Allen (Aquarium Innovations) – for a substantial donation to help offset catering costs at our Friday and Saturday night events. Finally, we are most grateful for the financial support of our title sponsor, ZooMed, Inc., and we urge you to support them by buying their products.

2008 TSA Steering Committee Meeting

In February 2008 we were graciously hosted in New York City by Eric Goode and Maurice Rodrigues at the Maritime Hotel, where we were afforded free accommodations. We met back-to-back with the TCF, and a spectacular joint dinner was served at the Maritime’s famous Japanese restaurant Matsuri. This was a productive meeting and a very special time together. We are genuinely appreciative of the remarkable hospitality extended to us by Eric and Maurice and their staff.

60 August 2008 turtle survival alliance International Reptile Conservation Foundation, Inc. 3010 Magnum Drive, San Jose, CA 95135 Tel 877-472-3674

n indispensable herpetological A publication: Articles, Features, Husbandry, Historical Perspectives, Natural History, & more. Published quarterly. The journal is available with your membership. Join today and help support our mission to conserve reptiles and the natural habitats and ecosystems that support them.

www.IRCF.org /memberships.php

Membership • four issues/year. dues: Domestic $25 International $55

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