A Publication of the Turtle Survival Alliance Rick Hudson from the President’S Desk New People, New Facilities, New Programs: a Year of Remarkable Growth for the TSA
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TURTLE AUGUST 2011 SURVIVALA PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE RICK HUDSON from the president’s desk New People, New Facilities, New Programs: A Year of Remarkable Growth for the TSA This past year has seen our strongest growth to date, to gain traction in Indonesia (Sulawesi in par- made possible by ambitious individual commitments ticular), begin the arduous process of setting spe- cies priorities in Africa, and lead to the develop- and new sources of revenue. We continue to strategi- ment of a new South American program, based in cally target high priority regions that we feel will give Colombia. Colombia is a turtle diversity hotspot, us the biggest bang for our limited bucks. And we ranked seventh globally in number of species constantly re-evaluate species priorities in light of new (27, tied with India and Vietnam). Colombia is also blessed with an exceptionally talented and threats and emerging trends. Throughout this process motivated group of biologists. Meetings in Cali we never forgot that saving species and preventing and Medellin in July 2011 set the stage for an Ac- extinction is why the TSA exists. tion Plan for that country’s chelonian fauna. We look forward to bringing you exciting news and New People: At the August 2010 meetings in p. 55). In Belize we just completed the ponds progress from this program as it develops, and Orlando the TSA Board took a leap of faith and and infrastructure for the Hicatee Conservation we give special thanks to our esteemed colleague boldly agreed to put three new people on the Research Center (for Central American River Vivian Paez for working with us to spearhead payroll. We are pleased to welcome Kalyar Platt Turtles) that will allow us to establish success- this initiative. (Myanmar), Herilala Randriamahazo (Mada- ful breeding techniques for a species with a poor Final thoughts: The Singapore workshop in gascar) and Cris Hagen (Animal Management) history in captivity; these methods will lead to February 2011 allowed us to evaluate the past ten to our growing list of full time employees; they the development of a large scale assurance colony years of the Asian turtle crisis and plan how to join Heather Lowe (Program Coordinator) and that can provide offspring for restoring depleted adjust our game plan and priorities as we enter Shailendra Singh (India). The hiring of Kalyar wild populations (see article p. 82). And finally the next decade. One of the results from that and Herilala as country coordinators greatly in Bangladesh, we have built or renovated two workshop was particularly sobering: of the 86 to- expands TSA’s ability to respond to growing large ponds to support breeding colonies of the tal Asian species, 38% are now considered Criti- threats in two highly important turtle and Sundarbans River Terrapins, currently consid- cally Endangered (CR), up from 20% in 1999 - a tortoise diversity hotspots. As the new Director ered the second most highly endangered of Asia’s 90% increase. Fifty-seven species (66%) are con- of Animal Management, Cris maintains oversight large river turtles. Thanks to the dedicated field sidered either CR or Endangered, a 40% increase for a growing area of TSA work – the mainte- work of a remarkable woman – Rupali Ghosh – since 1999. These figures are likely to grow worse nance of our living assurance colonies and rescue we now have an adult captive breeding group as the food and pet markets in China continue to operations. For more details see p. 18. And we of ten males and five females, and eggs in the drain wild populations. The high volume trade in are constantly impressed and surprised with the ground!! (see article p. 60). both Asian Mountain Tortoise and Arakan Forest number of new faces that emerge to help when New Programs: Our prioritization process Turtles for food is very disturbing (see article p. we put out a call for help. That so many are will- does not occur in isolation, but is a collaborative 80), as are the pet shops where large numbers of ing to respond in times of need truly represents process involving many of our colleagues around small forest turtles (Cuora galbinifrons, C. bour- one of our greatest assets, and is what sets us the globe, often in strategic planning or training reti, C. mouhotii, Geomyda spengleri) are widely apart from other turtle conservation groups. Just workshops. In the eleven month period from sold, essentially as “throw away pets” with little as I am writing this, a notice has come in that August 2010 to July 2011, the TSA sponsored hope for survival in inexperienced hands or Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo’s AAZK Chapter held or participated in workshops in Brazil (South without veterinary care. We must find a way to a “race against extinction” that raised more than American turtle red-listing), India (prioritizing salvage some of these market turtles and transi- $4,000 for the Sundarbans Batagur recovery regions for Indian turtle conservation), the U.S. tion them into assurance colonies while wild program in Bangladesh! and China (action planning for Asian box turtles), stocks still exist; the TSA is currently investigat- New Facilities: This has been a big year for Singapore (setting priorities for Asian cheloni- ing a process to do this. construction and we have new facilities in ans) and Malaysia (river terrapin conservation I recently told a colleague that I was becom- Myanmar, Belize and Bangladesh, all provid- techniques). Some new priorities emerged that ing increasingly disheartened by these figures ing much needed assurance colonies for species present challenges as well as opportunities, and because it appears that we are losing the battle ranked Critically Endangered. In Myanmar, after one of the TSA’s primary responses was to fund to save Asia’s turtles and tortoises. But he re- two years of fundraising, the TSA spent $60,000 a new Seed Grant program that will target the minded me that these numbers would likely be building six new facilities for Burmese Star Tor- following regions: India, Africa, Indonesia, and worse were it not for our efforts. Not sure that I toises, Burmese Roofed Turtles, Asian Mountain Colombia. These grants will mobilize projects completely agree with that but I do know that we Tortoises and Arakan Forest Turtles (see article recommended from the India workshop, help us have to maintain hope and try to stay optimistic. TABLE OF CONTENTS Tur TLE SurvIVAL ALLIANCE B oard of Directors Rick Hudson, President Dwight Lawson, Ph.D., Vice President Walter Sedgwick, Treasurer Scott Davis, Ph.D., Executive Director Bill Dennler Michael Fouraker Bill Holmstrom John Iverson, Ph.D. Pat Koval features partner news Lonnie McCaskill Inside Cover | From the President’s Desk 34 | Turtle Conservancy John Mitchell Russ Mittermeier 2 | Partners 38 | Turtle Conservation Fund Colin Poole 3 | Board of Directors 39 | Taipei Zoo Hugh Quinn, Ph.D. 4 | Membership 42 | Brazil Field Course Anders Rhodin, M.D. 7 | Meet the Staff 43 | National Institute of Frank Slavens Andrew Walde 8 | Cover Story Amazonian Research F. William Zeigler 11 | Medical Update 45 | The Orianne Society 15 | Animal Management 48 | TSA Europe Advisory Committee 20 | Significant Breedings Gary Ades Bernard Devaux 24 | Batagur Workshop Tomas Diagne 28 | Singapore Workshop Arthur Georges, Ph.D. 32 | Redlist Workshop Doug Hendrie Brian Horne, Ph.D. Gerald Kuchling, Ph.D. Jackie Litzgus, Ph.D. range country updates exclusives, news and Bill Ninesling announcements Peter Praschag, Ph.D. 55 | Myanmar Maurice Rodrigues 60 | Bangladesh 100 | Bern Tryon Memorial Peter Paul van Dijk, Ph.D. 63 | Madagascar 101 | Donor Recognition Dick Vogt, Ph.D. Henk Zwartepoorte 78 | China 82 | Belize Program Coordinator 86 | TSA Africa Heather Lowe 88 | Philippines 91 | India ABOUT THE COVER: Described in 1906 from China’s southern Yunnan Province, the Yunnan Box Turtle (Cuora yunnanensis) essentially vanished and had not been seen since the 1940’s, despite intensive field searches. Known from only 12 museum specimens collected over a century ago, this species remained an enigma for decades. In 2000, the IUCN Red List officially listed the species as ‘Extinct in the Wild’. But a glimmer of hope appeared in 2004, when photos of a female were posted on an Internet forum requesting assistance with identification. A few months later, an adult male appeared in the southern Chinese pet trade. A Chinese turtle breeder acquired both specimens and was able to produce hatchlings in 2006 as well as in subsequent years. Since then, other wild specimens have trickled into the market and commanded incredibly high prices. In 2008, Professor Rao Dingqi and his colleagues finally discovered the habitat for the species which will be formally reported to science at an appropriate time. There is great concern that the remaining wild animals could be illegally removed for the pet trade and the pressures on this unprotected wild population are expected to be intense. With a few animals from this population and some rescued from the markets and local village homes, an officially sanctioned assurance colony was established at a secure location in Kunming, under the oversight of Professor Rao, where this photo was taken. Captive reproduction in this colony first occurred in 2010. Now recognized by the IUCN Red List as ‘Critically Endangered’, C. yunnanensis has been given a “second chance” for survival. But with the only known remnant wild population in an unprotected area, this situation is still considered a crisis and there is an urgent need for additional support. Captive assurance colonies are critical at this juncture. The TSA, in collaboration with Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in Hong Kong, is providing husbandry assistance and technical support to Professor Rao Dingqi and his capable staff to help ensure success for this important program.