JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE AND IUCN TORTOISE & FRESHWATER TURTLE SPECIALIST GROUP 7TH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON THE CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY OF TORTOISES AND FRESHWATER TURTLES PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, USA AUGUST 5-8, 2009 CONFERENCE SPONSOR CONFERENCE HOST ADDITIONAL SUPPORT GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY BRETT AND NANCY STEARNS, CHELONIAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION, REPTILES MAGAZINE AND CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL Burmese roof turtle painting commemorates one of TSA’s signature conservation programs This is the second in a series of turtle paintings by noted reptile artist Tell Hicks that commemorate TSA programs to save critically endangered species. The Burmese roof turtle print is timely in that it comes on the heels of two significant milestones in this program’s history: the Species Recovery Plan workshop held January 2009 and the first worldwide captive breeding for this species in 2008, both occurring in Mandalay, Myanmar. The enigmatic Burmese roof turtle, Batagur (Kachuga) trivittata, had not been recorded by scientists since the 1930’s and was “rediscovered” in 2002 when specimens turned up in a Hong Kong market and in a Mandalay temple pond. Gerald Kuchling is credited with recognizing the specimens - a male and two females - in the temple pond and took decisive action to move them to the Yadanabon Zoo to start a captive breeding program. His efforts to locate remnant wild populations were successful and he was able to further expand the captive population. Gerald Kuchling’s landmark effort to save B. trivittata is just one of the reasons that he was selected as the recipient of the 2009 John Behler Chelonian Conservation Award. Today this program is managed jointly by the TSA and WCS and has made enormous strides in the seven years since rediscovery. The headstarting program at Yadanabon currently manages 243 juvenile B. trivittata, collected from wild nests on the Upper Chindwin River from 2006 – 2009. Additional captive facilities are being designed and the field recovery program is expanding. Efforts to save this species in nature are jeopardized by the impending dam construction that would inundate all known nesting beaches. Sites up river from the dam are being evaluated for the establishment of translocated populations. Despite these heroic efforts, B. trivittata is still regarded as one of the most at - risk vertebrate species on earth, though the extinction risk is certainly much lower than it was previously. Limited-edition prints of this painting are available for purchase here in St. Louis to raise funds to support the TSA’s programs for Burmese roof turtle conservation. The original painting will be offered at the live auction on Friday night. Seventh Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles 1 From the Program Co-chairs Welcome to this, the Seventh Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, generously hosted by the renowned St Louis Zoo. From relatively humble beginnings, this has grown beyond any expectation. It has become more than just a simple turtle conference; it has grown into the Joint Annual meeting of the Turtle Survival Alliance, the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and the Turtle Conservation Fund. It has matured into the largest non-marine chelonian gathering in the world. Each year, we welcome more groups and hope to continue and expand upon past progress. This year, we return once again to St. Louis, the site of what is arguably the best of our symposia. It’s hard to say if it was chemistry, time and place, the right price, or one of so many other variables, but we believe it was the perfect mix of cheloniophiles. With seven being such an auspicious and lucky number, we’ll be kicking it off with the icebreaker on the night of the full moon which should make things even more interesting. For another year, we have the opportunity to slow down a bit from our hectic schedules, exchange ideas, make new acquaintances and hoist a few to friends old and new, to those attending, and the ones who couldn’t make it this year. It’s an occasion to mix with a diverse group of attendees from around the world who come together here to share thoughts and address the problems of the chelonians from around the globe. Where else on earth would one find the academic world merging with zoo professionals, NGOs with field researchers, conservationists with biologists, private keepers and breeders, all raising glasses and talking turtle. Although coming from humble roots, this unlikely experiment began as a relatively small meeting which was convened just a few short years ago by the Turtle Survival Alliance, it has continued to grow and mature. Each year, we have been treated to more and better oral and poster presentations, videos, icebreaker, barbeque, and banquet addresses. Once again to encourage our future, the Chelonian Research Foundation is supporting a special award and prize for the best student papers and posters. For without bringing the next wave of chelonian researchers on board, the symposium would stagnate as so many others have done. And the prestigious John Behler Turtle Conservation Award, which recognizes the other end of the spectrum, will also be presented at the Symposium. Its time to pay attention to the “man (men and women) behind the curtain” who need to be recognized for they are the ones who truly make this event sink or swim. There are a multitude of supporting players who volunteer, provide support, and give generously of their time and resources to make it all happen. Conference Committee Chair Lonnie McCaskill of Disney’s Animal Kingdom once again moved heaven and earth to find the perfect venue, and at a bargain price (under $100/night –it even includes breakfast! ). So many conferences have simply priced themselves out of our reach. When you consider the price tag of just over $100 for registration, it’s not just a good value; it’s a major bargain, even without taking into account the three nights of food and drinks at the icebreaker, barbeque, and banquet. Other conferences charge more than that for just for the meals. But in the event that it was too reasonable, we have a wonderful group of vendors again this year to relieve us of our disposable income. And we would be remiss to not thank the program committee, who provided guidance and support. In addition to the two of us, a number of those on the committee were especially generous with their time and energy to also organize sessions and act as session chairs. So, special thanks go out to Ander Rhodin, Elizabeth Walton, Will Selman, Ray Saumure, Jim Harding, J. Daren Riedle, Glen Jacobsen, and Dave Manser. We look forward to next year’s symposium, no longer just the best place to see chelonian presentations, but an annual event where the opportunity to exchange ideas and greet friends (old and new) is as important as what happens in the front of the room. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the presenters, session moderators, and of course you, the attendees. Thanks for coming. And enjoy. Chuck Schaffer and Andrew Walde Program Co-chairs, Seventh Annual Symposium on Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles From the Turtle Survival Alliance Welcome to the Seventh Annual Symposium on Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. We are excited to return to St. Louis and to the combination of a great host city, a generous host institution and an impressive slate of presentations. Once again, this meeting offers the opportunity to network with the world’s leading chelonian conservation biologists as well as sessions targeting all aspects of chelonian conservation and biology. The past year has been a busy one for the TSA and there has been serious progress towards protecting endangered species and populations in Asia as well as Madagascar. Field teams have been hard at work in China, Myanmar, India and Malaysia and Gerald Kuchling will provide an update on our ongoing efforts to breed the last known captive pair of Yangtze giant softshell turtles, Rafetus swinhoei, at the Suzhou Zoo in China. In Myanmar, a Plan was drafted for saving the Burmese roofed turtle (Batagur trivittata) and Seventh Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles 2 the first captive breeding of this species was documented at Mandalay’s Yadanabon Zoo. Once again an original painting has been commissioned from famed wildlife artist Tell Hicks to sell at auction. Prints will be available for purchase during the conference and all of the proceeds will go to support ongoing program expenses. TSA’s new Madagascar Program is collaborating with the Behler Chelonian Center and the San Diego Zoo to raise funds to protect the last wild populations of the Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora).. The TSA is also supporting captive enclosure improvements for spider tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides) at the Village des Tortues in Ifaty. We look forward to productive partnerships as we join forces to address the needs of Madagascar’s increasingly imperiled tortoises. As most of you have probably heard, the TSA underwent a major restructuring in 2009 and has emerged as a full-fledged non-profit conservation NGO that now operates outside of the IUCN structure. With a new Board of Directors and expanded committees that better reflect the global composition of TSA, our new structure allows us to be more accountable to donors and supporters and more responsive to the needs of our members and the challenges of turtle conservation. The new Board shares the vision of the TSA as the “Go To” organization for turtle and tortoise conservation.