Securing Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles in the Indo-Burma Region November 2014 – October 2017

Presented by: Nguyen Thu Thuy Indo Myanmar Conservation’s (IMC) Asian Turtle Program (ATP)

Siem Reap, Cambodia, March 2015

Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) Zhou’s box turtle (Cuora zhoui)

Vietnamese Pond Turtle (Mauremys annamensis) Introduction

. Main focus species have been long term priorities for ATP . Previous CEPF 2009-2011 focused on initial research and conservation objectives: • Identifying species distribution and priority areas • Initiated awareness activities at selected sites

Introduction Swinhoe’s Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei)

 4 individuals confirmed globally  Critical endangered IUCN 2014 – arguably the most endangered turtle species in the world  Protected under Vietnam national law since 2013 (Decree 160) Introduction Swinhoe’s Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei)

 Through previous CEPF we identified the previous extent of the range in the species, and over 15 potential sites in 16 provinces surveyed, it historically occurred some with potential for remaining animals Introduction

The Vietnamese Pond Turtle (Mauremys annamensis)

 Critical endangered (IUCN 2014), highly localized endemic  Heavily exploited  Listed in appendix I of endangered, precious and rare species prioritized protection under new national law, 2013 (Decree 160) IntroductionVietnamese Pond Turtle (Mauremys annamensis)

- Range of the species clearly defined within lowland coastal wetlands and associated rivers in area between Da Nang and Phu Yen province. - A handful of sites identified where species still caught in low numbers, 4 sites focus. THEAT: Rise in price recently Project objectives

• Improve habitat protection for Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) and Vietnamese Pond Turtle (Mauremys annamensis)

• Confirm additional Rafetus swinhoei individuals

• Establish species recovery plan for two species

• Identify Zhou’s box turtle (Cuora zhoui) population in wild

• Develop national conservation team Project progress

Species recovery plan:  International workshop for Rafetus swinhoei in Hanoi by IUCN SSG, December 2014  Meeting with Biodiversity Conservation Agency (MONRE), February 2015

Impacts to date

• Trialing of Environmental DNA (eDNA) to confirm presence or absence at potential Rafetus swinhoei sites.

• 16 sites identified

• Challenge, dilution effect in large lakes has made it difficult to get positive Map of e-DNA collection locations for results – Dong Mo lake Rafetus swinhoei • Lesson learn: need for continued and expanded collaboration to refine techniques if this method is to be utilized.

Rafetus habitat improvement and protection

 January 2015, a sandbank has been built on an island in Dong Mo Lake  Provides first opportunity for nesting in the artificial lake Map of observation locations for Rafetus swinhoei in Dong Mo Lake

No fishing zone

Map of No fishing zone for Rafetus swinhoei in Dong Mo Lake

 A 19ha no-fishing zone had been demarcated where the turtle is most often observed surfacing Habitat improvement & protection

 Prevent harmful fishing equipment  Ongoing environmental data collection at key sites  Five sites now have local staff employed for monitoring

Community activities

 Turtle Football Cup  Radio announcements Community activities

 Volley ball match  Radio announcement Impacts to date

 Mauremys annamensis activities up to date:  Proposal submission on Turtle Assurance Colony development to Quang Ngai provincial People Committee  Local patrol/Monitoring and removal fishing traps in potential habitats  Environmental data collecting in Phu Yen province  Community program is being developing with school lesson, school student project, community sport match, mid-autumn festival

Zhou’s box turtle (Cuora zhoui): CR-IUCN 2014 Data deficient Challenge, this species is incredibly rare, only 1-2 animals showing up every few years in the global trade, likely its always had a limited range and never been abundant.

Water samples taken from potential sites in northern Vietnam for eDNA.

Thank you!

Thank you to our counterparts and donors

For more information on this project or relating to TFT in the region please contact:

Asian Turtle Program of Indo-Myanmar Conservation [email protected] Tel: +84 (0) 43514 7875 Address: Room 1301, Thanh Cong tower, 57 Lang Ha Str., Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam Or visit our website: www.asianturtleprogram.org