Captive Breeding and Marketing of Turtles
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Captive Breeding and Marketing of Turtles by Grahame J.W. Webb, S. Charlie Manolis and Michelle Gray February 2008 RIRDC Publication No 08/012 RIRDC Project No WMI-3A © 2008 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 601 3 ISSN 1440-6845 Captive Breeding and Marketing of Turtles Publication No. 08/012 Project No. WMI-3A The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165 Researcher Contact Details Grahame Webb PO Box 530, Sanderson, NT 0813 Wildlife Management International Pty Limited (WMI) Phone: (08) 89224500 Fax: (08) 89470678 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6271 4100 Fax: 02 6271 4199 Email: [email protected]. Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in February 2008 Printed by Canprint ii Foreword The farming of Hawksbill turtles in northern Australia is a potentially viable wildlife industry. Like crocodile farming, overcoming some technological obstacles associated with captive breeding may be a pre-requisite before international trade, currently prohibited by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), takes place. The demand for Hawksbill turtle shell is high, and captive breeding provides the quickest route through CITES for legal international trade. Preliminary research indicated high growth rates of animals under captive conditions, and the current work confirmed early attainment of maturity. Research only spanned one breeding season, but indicated that social, behavioural, physiological and environmental factors may be implicated in successful nesting in captivity. The prototype breeding pen provided basic conditions for growth and reproduction. With successful nesting, small numbers of females would be required to produce sufficient numbers of hatchlings for farming purposes. An industry based on Hawksbill turtles could provide tangible economic benefits for indigenous landowners in regional areas, and provide positive commercial incentives for conservation of sea turtles and their habitats. The demand for freshwater turtles for food, particularly in China, provides potential opportunities for Australian species. Australian species are sought after in the international pet trade, but current Federal legislation prohibiting export of live animals for commercial purposes is an impediment to accessing and/or testing these market opportunities. Domestic consumption (as food) appears to be a viable option for turtles in the short-term, and perhaps in Traditional Chinese Medicine, a rapidly expanding industry in Australia. This project was funded from RIRDC core funds which are provided by the Australian Government. This report is an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1700 research publications. It forms part of our New Animal Products R&D sub-program that aims to accelerate the development of viable new animal industries. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/index.html • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgments We are especially grateful to Boyd Simpson and Jessie Rutter for their assistance in raising the Hawksbill turtles leading up to this study, and to Cathi Shilton (NT Department Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines) who performed most autopsies and provided interpretation of histological and pathology results. Patty Richards (Darwin) carried out ultrasonography on the female Hawksbill turtles. We are also thankful to Wan Ziming, (Beijing), Wan Quihong (Hanzhou City) and Mac Min Jiang Li (Panyu City, Guangzhou) who provided information on freshwater turtles in China, and to Erin O'Brien who assisted in the collation of information on Australian freshwater turtles. iv Abbreviations CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora IUCN IUCN-World Conservation Union SCL straight carapace length CCL curved carapace length TCM Traditional Chinese Medicine v Contents Foreword............................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................. iv Abbreviations......................................................................................................................................... v Executive Summary- ............................................................................................................................. x 1. Introduction and Background.......................................................................................................... 1 2. Objectives........................................................................................................................................... 6 3. Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Captive Breeding of Hawksbill Turtles......................................................................................... 7 3.1.1 Breeding Pen .......................................................................................................................... 7 3.1.2 Water Circulation ................................................................................................................... 9 3.1.3 Water Parameters ................................................................................................................... 9 3.1.4 Cleaning ............................................................................................................................... 10 3.1.5 Temperature.......................................................................................................................... 10 3.1.6 Nesting Banks ...................................................................................................................... 11 3.1.7 Running Costs ...................................................................................................................... 11 3.1.8 Turtles................................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.9 Inventories............................................................................................................................ 12 3.1.10 Foods and Feeding ............................................................................................................. 13 3.1.11 Illness and Mortalities ........................................................................................................ 14 3.1.12 Ultrasonography ................................................................................................................. 14 3.2 Marketing of Turtles.................................................................................................................... 14 4. RESULTS......................................................................................................................................... 15 4.1 Captive Breeding of Hawksbill Turtles....................................................................................... 15 4.1.1 Breeding Pen ........................................................................................................................ 15 4.1.2 Temperature.......................................................................................................................... 15 4.1.3 Water Parameters ................................................................................................................. 18 4.1.4 Turtles..................................................................................................................................