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Home , Asian forest tortoise, Burmese star tortoise, Manouria

Herpetology Notes, volume 11: 847-852 (2018) (published online on 11 October 2018)

Distribution records and of the Burmese Black Giant ( phayrei Blyth 1853) in western

Steven G. Platt1, Kalyar Platt2, Khin Myo Myo1, Me Me Soe1 and Thomas R. Rainwater3,*

The Burmese Black Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys 1875]) surveys of the Chin and Naga hills in western phayrei) is the largest tortoise in Asia (carapace length Myanmar (Platt et al., 2013a, 2014b). The western hills [CL] to 600 mm and body mass to 37 kg), occurring (Rakhine, Chin, and Naga hills) of western Myanmar from eastern () and , eastward are a contiguous southerly extension of the Himalayas into Myanmar and western , and southwards characterized by extremely rugged topography with to the Surat Gap near the Thailand- border steep ridges separated by deep, restricted stream valleys (Stanford et al., 2015). Manouria emys phayrei (hereafter (Platt et al., 2010, 2014b). Plant communities consist Manouria emys) is considered Endangered by the IUCN of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and temperate (provisionally reassessed as in forests, and bamboo brakes; occurrence of a particular 2011) owing to widespread poaching for commercial community is determined by a combination of elevation, markets in southern China, chronic subsistence slope, aspect, and anthropogenic disturbance (Terra, harvesting, and habitat loss (Stanford et al., 2015). In 1944; Platt et al., 2010). Western Myanmar experiences a common with most range countries, the distribution tropical monsoonal climate with a wet season extending and conservation status of M. emys in Myanmar remain from early June into October followed by a dry season poorly known (Stanford et al., 2015). Historic records from late October to late May (Terra 1944). The western are available from the Arakan (now Rakhine) Hills, hill ranges are peopled by a variety of ethnic groups, the Moulmein (now Mawlamyaing), southern Tennasserim most prominent being Chin and Naga; both groups are (now Tanintharyi), and Kachin State (Theobald, 1876; swidden agriculturalists and hunting plays a central role Iverson, 1992). More recently, we documented the in their cultures (Carey and Tuck, 1896; Saul, 2005). occurrence of M. emys in the lowlands along the eastern The physical and human environment of the western base of the Rakhine Hills (Platt et al., 2001), and in hills is described in greater detail elsewhere (Carey and the central Rakhine Hills (Platt et al., 2007). We here Tuck, 1896; Thom, 1906; Diran, 2001; Saul, 2005). present two additional records of M. emys from western We conducted fieldwork in the Chin and Naga hills Myanmar, comment on its conservation status within this during May-June 2011, February-March and November region, and provide conservation recommendations. 2012, February-March 2013, and February-March Our records were obtained in conjunction with 2014. Because few roads penetrate the Chin and Naga Arakan Forest ( depressa [Anderson, hills, most of our travel through the region was on foot. At each village along our route we conducted semi- structured, open-ended interviews (Martin, 1995) of knowledgeable persons (e.g., hunters and farmers) regarding the local occurrence and natural history of 1 Wildlife Conservation Society - Myanmar Program, No. 12, M. emys, H. depressa, and other chelonians, harvest Nanrattaw St., Kamayut Township, Yangon, Myanmar. methods, anthropogenic utilization, and perceptions of 2 Turtle Survival Alliance - Myanmar Program, No. 12, local abundance. We used a photographic guide (Platt Nanrattaw St., Kamayut Township, Yangon, Myanmar. et al., 2014a) to facilitate identification and 3 Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center & Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, match vernacular names with scientifically recognized P.O. Box 596, Georgetown, South Carolina 29442, USA. taxa. We also asked to examine any living or * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] shells that might be available in villages. We measured 848 Steven G. Platt et al.

Figure 1. Map of Chin Hills (1A) and Naga Hills (1B) showing villages visited during wildlife surveys (2011-14). Yellow stars denote villages where specimens of locally collected Manouria emys phayrei were examined. Inset shows the location of these areas within Myanmar.

straight-line CL and plastron length (PL; measured from modified to “Big Land Turtle” to avoid confusion with base of anal notch) with tree callipers, determined sex large softshell turtles that occur in rivers and hill streams on basis of plastron morphology (but see Stanford et al., of the region (Platt et al., 2012). When describing M. 2015), and photographed each specimen. On occasion emys, villagers often stated the are so large we used local hunting dogs to search for tortoises. that children can ride them. The large adult body size Geographic coordinates (India-Bangladesh datum) and of M. emys and lack of similar-sized locally occurring elevation (above sea level [a.s.l.]) were determined with congeners make it highly unlikely that informants would a Garmin® GPS76 and place names are in accordance confuse this tortoise with any other species. with a national gazetteer currently being compiled. Our Village informants provided two specimens of M. methods are fully detailed in Platt et al. (2014b). emys during our interviews. The first specimen was an We conducted interviews in 79 villages in the Chin intact shell (CL = 510 mm; PL = 446 mm; sex = female) and Naga hills during our surveys (Fig. 1A-B). Our we examined in Lower Pai (25.0422°N, 93.2513°E, informants used several vernacular names to describe elevation = 362 m a.s.l.) on 9 November 2012 (Fig. M. emys. Vernacular names varied among villages, 2A). This tortoise was reportedly captured “about 10 reflecting the diversity of local dialects in the western years ago” (ca. 2002) in dense riparian evergreen forest hills (Platt et al., 2014b), and include Vee (= Elephant along a stream downslope from the village. We later Turtle) and Ling Nao (= Big Turtle), both references to determined the elevation at the approximate capture site the large body size of M. emys in comparison to other to be 244 m a.s.l. The second specimen was an intact chelonians. In some villages the latter folk name is shell (CL = 516 mm; PL = 470 mm; sex = female) we Distribution records and conservation status of the Burmese Black Giant Tortoise 849

Figure 2. Specimens of locally captured Manouria emys phayrei examined in Lower Pai (A) and Soe Nay Kanaung (B) villages in the Chin Hills of western Myanmar.

examined in Soe Nay Kanaung (21.3346°N, 93.1650°E, that M. emys were captured alive “about 25-30 years elevation = 606 m a.s.l.) on 18 November 2012 (Fig. ago” and sold in Paletwa where a market existed for 2B). This tortoise was found near the village and tortoise meat. Tellingly, the majority of our informants although the circumstances surrounding the capture had never observed a living M. emys, although most were unclear, it was probably harvested in 2008. To were familiar with the vernacular name of the species. our knowledge these two specimens constitute the first Given that knowledge of even charismatic megafaunal confirmed records of M. emys from the Chin and Naga species is rapidly forgotten by communities once they hills, extending the distribution northwards from central cease to regularly encounter them (Turvey et al., 2010), Rakhine State, and completing a distributional hiatus we speculate the local demise of M. emys has been between populations in Rakhine State (Platt et al., 2001, underway for at least 50 years with some individual 2007) and historic records from northern Myanmar tortoises persisting until more recently (<10 years ago). (Theobald, 1876). Manouria emys was probably at We attribute the decline of M. emys in the Chin one time distributed throughout the western hills of and Naga hills to chronic subsistence harvesting by Myanmar and these populations were almost certainly indigenous peoples. The Chin and Naga are widely noted contiguous with those in neighbouring Assam, India for their hunting acumen (Carey Tuck, 1896; Saul, 2005; and the Chittagong Hill Tract of eastern Bangladesh Aiyadurai et al., 2010) and large body size may render (Rahman et al., 2015). adult M. emys especially vulnerable to these skilled Without exception our informants agreed that M. emys huntsmen (see also Platt et al., 2007). Furthermore, in is either extremely rare or extirpated throughout the contrast to the largely opportunistic harvest of smaller area we surveyed in the Chin and Naga hills. Informants chelonians, hunters appear to specifically target M. in Walanpi stated M. emys was last seen in the 1960s. emys owing to the large meat yield that can be obtained Villagers in Kyet Chaung stated their last encounter from a single tortoise (Platt et al., 2007). Given the life with M. emys occurred about 10 years ago, while history traits of long-lived vertebrates such as tortoises, residents of Archi Taung last encountered M. emys in even minimal levels of harvest would have negative 2004. Likewise, the specimens we examined in Soe demographic consequences for M. emys populations Nay Kanaung and Lower Pai were the only M. emys over the long-term (Congdon et al., 1994). Additionally, encountered in recent years. Several informants stated commercialization of the harvest as indicated by some 850 Steven G. Platt et al.

Taung Wildlife Sanctuary (132 km2), Natma Taung National Park (722 km2), and Rakhine Yoma Elephant Sanctuary (1755 km2) (RYES) (Fig. 3). However, recent surveys found no evidence for the occurrence of M. emys in Kyauk Pan Taung Wildlife Sanctuary, Natma Taung National Park, and their adjacent buffer areas (Platt et al., 2012, 2013b). Furthermore, despite an unsourced statement to the contrary (Stanford et al., 2016), to our knowledge, the occurrence of M. emys has yet to be confirmed in RYES. Surveys for H. depressa in RYES during 2009 and 2013 failed to detect M. emys (Platt et al., 2010, 2014b), and none has been encountered during an on-going (2012 to present) life-history study of H. depressa (Hein Htet Lwin, Yangon University, pers. comm.). Admittedly, these efforts have largely been focused on forested habitat at lower elevations (<600 m a.s.l.) and logistical difficulties aside, remote tracts of higher elevation forest in RYES warrant closer scrutiny. Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (6371 km2), where a hitherto unknown population of Manouria impressa (Günther, 1882) was recently discovered (Saw Htun and Platt, 2016) might also harbour M. emys. However, security concerns stemming from an on-going low- intensity military conflict preclude fieldwork in the sanctuary at this time. Figure 3. Map of Myanmar showing location of Rakhine Conservation action is urgently required if M. emys Yoma Elephant Range, Kyauk Pan Taung Wildlife Sanctuary, is to survive in western Myanmar. To this end, we and Nat Ma Taung National Park. Also shown are hill and recommend that future conservation efforts for M. emys mountain ranges mentioned in the text, and major urban centers. be concentrated on RYES. This large protected area is roadless and penetrated by few trails, located in one of the most sparsely populated regions of Myanmar, and harbors populations of other globally threatened informants would have likely hastened the regional vertebrates (e.g., Asian elephant [Elephas maximus]) that demise of M. emys (e.g., Eisenberg et al., 2011; Colteaux are currently the focus of sustained conservation efforts and Johnson, 2017). We regard habitat destruction as (Platt et al., 2010). Tortoise conservation will no doubt less of a factor in population declines as extensive tracts benefit from the protective umbrella of law enforcement of primary and secondary forest remain in many areas activities implemented to safeguard Asian Elephants of the western hills (Lemigruber et al., 2005). However, inhabiting the sanctuary. As a prelude to developing a because swidden cultivation is widely practiced within conservation program, areas of potentially suitable M. the elevational range occupied by M. emys (600-1500 emys habitat within RYES should be identified and m; Stanford et al., 2016) and any tortoises encountered assessed for the presence of remnant populations that during field clearance are invariably harvested (Platt et would benefit from protection. Additionally, the release al., 2007, 2012), habitat destruction may have played a of captive-bred offspring into the sanctuary should be greater role in population declines than suggested by the given serious consideration, either to reinforce (sensu current availability of forest cover. Seddon et al., 2014) the existing population or restore Protected areas are critical to the continued survival of viable populations if M. emys is found to be functionally M. emys throughout its global distribution (Stanford et extinct in the sanctuary. Captive-bred offspring could al., 2016). Three protected areas encompassing habitat be sourced from two existing assurance colonies in suitable for M. emys occur within the western hills of Myanmar, originally founded with tortoises of local Myanmar (Beffasti and Galanti, 2011): Kyauk Pan provenance confiscated from illegal wildlife traffickers. Distribution records and conservation status of the Burmese Black Giant Tortoise 851

Long-term monitoring will be necessary to determine indigenous harvest – the pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys post-release survival and dispersal and evaluate the insculpta) in Papua New Guinea. Biological Conservation 144: success of this strategy. This conservation model 2282–2288. Iverson, J.B. (1992): A Revised Checklist with Distribution Maps has already proved highly successful in restoring the of the Turtles of the World. Richmond, Indiana, Privately ( platynota [Blyth, Printed. 1863]) to protected areas in central Myanmar where Lemigruber, P., Kelly, D.S., Steininger, M.K., Brunner, J., Müller, the species was extirpated by rampant poaching in the T., Songer, M. (2005): Forest cover change patterns in Myanmar late 1990s and early 2000s (Platt and Platt, 2016). In the (Burma) 1990-2000. Environmental Conservation 32: 356– absence of targeted conservation action, we consider it 364. likely that M. emys will soon be regionally extinct (if not Martin, G.J. (1995): Ethnobotany: A Methods Manual. London, already so) in western Myanmar. Chapmen Hall. Platt, K., Platt, S.G., Win Ko Ko, Khin Myo Myo, Kyaw Moe, Me Me Soe. (2014a): Photographic Guide to the Freshwater Turtles Acknowledgements. We thank U Win Tun (Minister of and Tortoises of Myanmar. Yangon, Myanmar, Privately Environmental Conservation and Forestry), U Saw Lwin (Director Printed. General of Planning and Statistics Department, Ministry of Platt, S., Platt, K. (2016): A challenging year in the fight to save Environmental Conservation and Forestry), U Tin Tun (Deputy Myanmar’s critically endangered turtles. Turtle Survival 2016: Director General, Planning and Statistics Department, Ministry of 34–38. Environmental Conservation and Forestry), U Aye Myint Maung Platt, S.G., Saw Tun Khaing, Win Ko Ko, and Kalyar. (2001): (Director General, Forest Department), U Nyi Nyi Kyaw (Deputy Distributional notes on the turtles of western Myanmar. Journal Director General, Forest Department), and U Win Naing Thaw of the Bombay Natural History Society 98: 117–120. (Director, Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division) for granting Platt, S.G., Kalyar, Win Ko Ko, Khin Myo Myo, Lay Lay Khaing, us permission to conduct fieldwork. Funding was provided by Rainwater, T.R. (2007): Notes on the occurrence, natural history, Andy Sabin and the Andrew Sabin Foundation. Colin and conservation status of turtles in central Rakhine (Arakan) Poole, Than Myint, Rick Hudson, Saw Htun, Rob Tizard and State, Myanmar. Hamadryad 31: 202–211. others in the WCS/TSA Myanmar Program are thanked for Platt, S.G., Khin Myo Myo, Win Ko Ko, Aung Maung, Rainwater, organizing logistics, facilitating fieldwork, and ensuring the T.R. (2010): Field observations and conservation of Heosemys success of our expedition. 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Accepted by Benjamin Tapley