A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE Turtle Survival 2013 RICK HUDSON FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Strengthening the Culture of Turtle Conservation: TSA’s Expanding Global Network cues from the IUCN Red List process, as well as a prioritized list of turtle diversity hotspot countries, we are always looking for opportuni- ties where we can be both effective and strategic, partnering with other organizations when possible. Given that we often find ourselves in an emergency intervention mode, struggling to save species that have reached critically low numbers, many of our programs involve a captive compo- nent such as headstarting or assurance colonies. The sad reality is that we are seeing a growing number of species that, at least for the foresee- able future, have little chance for survival in the wild. As much as we strive to save species in their native country, some species continue to decline. Market driven collecting pressures are simply too intense for them to persist. For this group of species, and in striving to maintain our commit- ment to zero turtle extinctions, we launched the Turtle Survival Center (TSC) in 2012. The TSC is rapidly developing into a cen- terpiece of our network of global assurance colonies and we have finally consolidated much of our collection at the South Carolina facility. Three full time staff are now living on site and construction and renovation work has been mov- ing at a steady pace all summer. New Phase One facilities include a tortoise barn, a quarantine PHOTO CREDIT: SHEENA KOETH facility, a complex for forest and shade-dwelling Recently Dwight Lawson (TSA Vice President) and has vastly improved the capability to humanely species and several greenhouses. These facilities I were presented with a question from a reporter deal with confiscations. Enforcement officials will provide space to hold our core collection, but about the range and impact of TSA’s activities dealing with a seizure of turtles need to know that we will need to expand rapidly as the collection around the world. After some thought, we both they have somewhere to turn, and from Burma grows. Maintaining well-managed and geneti- arrived at a similar response about what sets and India to Madagascar, the TSA is provid- cally diverse assurance colonies requires a lot of TSA apart: Dwight said that TSA has created a ing that service. Our growing network is often space, and the SC site is designed for expansion. global network – I called it a culture – that not able to provide the needed resources – whether These are exciting times for the TSA as we work only inspires, but catalyzes and facilitates turtle it is veterinary assistance, husbandry training to develop the TSC while maintaining critical conservation work. Regardless of the terminol- or technical support – and our lines are always support to our field programs. As challenging as ogy, the fact that TSA exists, and is expanding open. Are we everywhere we need to be around these undertakings are, the decision was made its reach into an increasing number of turtle the globe? No, but we are working to expand our easy by one overriding fact: we simply didn’t have diversity hotspots, provides opportunities to our network into new hotspots, with Indonesia on the a choice. We take our commitment to preventing many colleagues that are facing turtle conserva- horizon. We also seek to increase partnerships turtle extinctions very seriously, and the TSC tion challenges. The message is clear: they are not among grassroots organizations, working locally will, in time, transform the face of the TSA as alone and there are resources available to help. We to protect specific populations, because at the end well as our ability to impact turtle conservation. take great pride in the TSA’s ability to take swift of the day, that is where the battle to save turtles To our many members, volunteers and sup- action and to respond in the face of a crisis. This is will be won or lost. porters, please realize how much we value your especially true with wildlife trade – overwhelm- Where TSA works across the globe is contributions and all that you do to improve the ingly the leading threat to the survival of turtles influenced by a number of factors, and we have outlook for turtles and tortoises. We look for- and tortoises worldwide – where the TSA network refined our strategy over the years. Taking our ward to the day when we can host you at the TSC. TABLE OF CONTENTS TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE Board of Directors Rick Hudson, President Dwight Lawson, Ph.D., Vice President Walter Sedgwick, Treasurer Scott Davis, Ph.D., Executive Director James Breheny Bill Dennler Michael Fouraker Bill Holmstrom John Iverson, Ph.D. Pat Koval, LLD FEATURES PARTNER NEWS Lonnie McCaskill Inside Cover | From the President’s Desk 6 | Partners John Mitchell Russ Mittermeier 2 | Board of Directors 7 | Turtle Conservation Fund Colin Poole 3 | Meet the Staff 8 | TSA Europe Hugh Quinn, Ph.D. 4 | Conservation Notes 12 | NAFTRG Anders Rhodin, M.D. 14 | Turtle Survival Center Frank Slavens Andrew Walde 21 | Capital Campaign Robert Wiese, Ph.D. 22 | Pat Koval Profile Bill Zeigler 24 | Sulawesi Forest Turtle Breeding Advisory Committee 26 | African Hinge-back Tortoises Gary Ades Bernard Devaux 52 | SOS Batagur Tomas Diagne 55 | Communication in Aquatic Turtles Arthur Georges, Ph.D. Eric Goode Doug Hendrie RANGE COUNTRY UPDATES EXCLUSIVES, NEWS AND Brian Horne, Ph.D. ANNOUNCEMENTS Gerald Kuchling, Ph.D. 28 | Madagascar Jackie Litzgus, Ph.D. 32 | Bangladesh 57 | Member Spotlights Bill Ninesling 34 | India 59 | Bern Tryon Memorial Peter Praschag, Ph.D. 39 | Myanmar 60 | Behler Award Maurice Rodrigues 64 | Donor Recognition Peter Paul van Dijk, Ph.D. 43 | Cambodia Dick Vogt, Ph.D. 44 | China Henk Zwartepoorte 45 | Africa Program Manager 47 | Belize Heather Lowe 49 | Indonesia Director of Animal Management 50 | Colombia Cris Hagen Turtle Survival Alliance © 2013 Contents of this publication should be cited as: Author. (2013) Article Title. Turtle Survival, pp. xx–xx. ABOUT THE COVER: This year’s cover photo for Turtle Survival is largely symbolic, combining images of the new Turtle Survival Center (TSC) in South Carolina with an Asian box turtle (Cuora), one of the primary targeted species groups. Cuora are emblematic of the reason why the TSA must develop such a Center, and represent the most threatened group of turtles in the world: 12 of the 13 recognized species are ranked Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Worse, some of the species are already extinct in the wild, or biologically extinct, meaning that the populations are too small to be viable, consisting mainly of scattered, aging adults. Sadly, the number of turtle species “slipping through the cracks” and edging closer to extinction is growing, victims of chronic and uncontrolled poaching pressures. For these species, the TSC is being developed. When fully operational, the Center will provide a secure future to at least twenty species that have little chance for survival in nature, having essentially become refugees in their native lands. PHOTO CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN http://www.facebook.com/TurtleSurvival http://twitter.com/turtlesurvival a publication of the turtle survival alliance 01 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Changes to the TSA Board of Directors The Turtle Survival Alliance is pleased to an- sertation. A centerpiece of Bob’s work with the nounce the appointment of Dr. Robert Wiese to AZA community is a diverse, extensive body of the TSA Board of Directors. Dr. Wiese serves literature on breeding strategies to maintain ge- San Diego Zoo Global as the chief life sciences netic diversity in zoo populations and to aid the officer. In this role he is responsible for a variety recovery of endangered and threatened species. of administrative, operational and budgetary He has authored or co-authored dozens of books, activities. Prior to taking this position in 2006, articles and papers and has held training courses Bob worked at the Fort Worth Zoo as director of and made presentations throughout the world to animal collections. He also served as assistant professional and academic organizations. director of conservation and science for the As- Board member Raymond A. Saumure recently sociation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). stepped down from the Board, citing a desire to Well versed in conservation and animal care streamline his professional obligations and spend projects, Bob has worked with a variety of taxa, more time with his family. Ray’s keen sense of helping develop the AZA’s Species Survival strategic planning was greatly appreciated and his Plan for numerous species. He has also done ideas for short and long term development solutions extensive field work studying bird species in will continue to influence the TSA. Ray served Southern California and bullfrog populations in generously during his time on the Board and is the Western U.S., the topic of his doctoral dis- committed to continuing support of the TSA. About the Turtle Survival Alliance The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) was created in 2001 in response to the rampant and unsustainable harvest of Asian turtles to supply Chinese markets, a situation that came to be known as “The Asian Turtle Crisis.” For its first seven years, the TSA worked under the umbrella of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). In 2005, it was registered as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit, based in Fort Worth, Texas and a dedicated Board of Directors was selected in January 2009. From the day it was founded until today, the TSA has remained focused on a single goal: no turtle extinctions in the 21st century. The TSA is an action-oriented global partnership, focusing on species that are at high risk of extinction, and working in turtle diversity hotspots around the world.