Turtle Survival
A publicAtion of the turtle SurvivAl AlliAnce
2012
Excitement continues to build for the TSA's
planned Turtle Survival Center (TSC) in South
Carolina, an ambitious undertaking that will "get
us back to our roots." The TSA was organized
with the goal of managing captive breeding popu-
lations in response to Asia's rapidly worsening
turtle crisis, and since 2001 this has been at the
core of our mission. Over the years our strategy for
developing assurance colonies has evolved, with
the emphasis on some programs shifting overseas
to help build community involvement, simplify
logistics and take advantage of local expertise.
However, for U.S. based programs, we have
struggled with the complexity of using a diffuse
membership to manage populations for us, which
has been, at best, an imperfect situation. Lacking
a home base facility, the TSA has been unable to
effectively demonstrate how a true assurance
colony functions. The new South Carolina facility
will finally give us that special place to call home,
a place where we can consolidate captive holdings
and concentrate our activities. We envision a hub
for turtle conservation work including interna-
tional training programs, workshops, collabora-
tive research projects and, most importantly,
opportunities for TSA member involvement.
For many years we have recognized the need
for a specialized facility and we have considered
various properties in the southeastern U.S. Until
now, all of the potential sites have lacked the
infrastructure for a world-class turtle conserva-
tion operation. When Dr. Sam Seashole presented
us with the opportunity to buy his property in
October 2011, we immediately recognized that
this site, with its incredible veterinary infrastruc-
ture, was the perfect choice for a turtle breeding
center. Despite tough financial times, the TSC
was something that we had to do. Armed with an
initial $50,000 challenge grant from long-time
TSA supporter Dr. Ab Abercrombie, we began try-
ing to raise funds. Struggling with the question of
"if we can do this" the dynamic quickly shifted to
"when we will do this" after TSA Board member
Pat Koval generously committed $200,000 toward
the purchase price - half the amount needed!
The decision to proceed with the purchase
and development of this facility is not one that we
took lightly. How can TSA develop and operate
such a facility while continuing to maintain the
important conservation programs around the
globe in which we have invested so heavily? The
answer is quite simple: we don't have a choice.
Despite the best efforts of the TSA and the rest
of the global turtle conservation community, we
New Turtle Survival Center brings TSA Back to its Roots
continue to watch as turtle species slowly vanish
before our eyes. For some species, the Asian box
turtles (Cuora) for example, the market value
is so extraordinarily high that they have no
future in the wild. Every specimen encountered
is collected for breeding stock, and the col-
lecting pressures are intense. Restricted range
endemics, such as the Roti Island snakeneck, are
another example of species that will not survive
in the wild. Many of these species were once
considered common, and were widely available
and inexpensive (the Cuora galbinifrons complex
for example). As wild populations have disap-
peared, market prices have climbed, fueling an
unsustainable cycle of exploitation. The time
is now upon us to develop a specialized facility
capable of preserving these species in captivity,
but the window of opportunity is rapidly closing.
If the TSA is to make good on its commitment to
zero turtle extinctions, we don't have a choice!
We must develop the TSC now. The situation
becomes clear when you consider the impact of
this Center: 17 of the 20 species selected for the
TSC collection are ranked Critically Endangered
by the IUCN Red List, and nine of those can be
found on the list of the World's Top 25+ Most
Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles,
2011. The TSC will help ensure a future for those
species. Please join us in helping us build the TSC
into a world class facility.
In other news, please join me in welcoming
our four newest TSA team members: Sylvain Ma-
hazotahy (Madagascar), German Forero-Medina
(Colombia), Me Me Soe (Myanmar) and Shash-
wat Sirsi (India). As our team continues to grow,
so does our impact and effectiveness in these
countries. We are also excited to announce a new
program for Colombia, launched in partnership
with the Wildlife Conservation Society, represent-
ing our first official "program" in South America.
I hope that you enjoy reading about the great
work that is being done around the world to ben-
efit turtles. Based on feedback from our members
and supporters, we've made a concerted effort to
make this year's issue more concise and stream-
lined. We hope that you find this format more
palatable and we are confident that the great con-
tent that you've come to expect is still there. And
to everyone who makes turtles and tortoise care
part of their daily routine, and includes them in
their landscapes and personal lives, thank you.
The TSA needs you now more than ever.
r i c k h u d s o n
from the president's desk
Photo credit: Bill holmstrom
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 01 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
taBle of contents
features
partner news
exclusives, news and
announcements
range country updates
Inside Cover | From the President's Desk
2 | Board of Directors
3 | Partners
13 | Animal Management
17 | Turtle Survival Center
21 | Genus Graptemys
51 | Sulawesi Report
54 | Cambodia
56 | Thailand
57 | Red-necked Pond Turtles
59 | We Are the TSA
4 | Turtle Conservancy
6 | Turtle Conservation Fund
8 | TSA Europe-Vietnam
10 | Golden Coin Turtle Transfer
11 | TSA Europe-Request for Data
12 | IZS-Muenster Zoo
55 | Bern Tryon Memorial
61 | Behler Award
63 | Donor Recognition
24 | Madagascar
30 | Bangladesh
33 | India
39 | Myanmar
43 | Vietnam
44 | China
46 | Belize
48 | Colombia
aBoUt the coVer: The Sulawesi Forest Turtle, Leucocephalon yuwonoi, is endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and is the single representative of
a monotypic genus. Ranked critically endangered by the IUCN Red List, L. yuwonoi has been high on the TSA's priority list of species in need of both in situ
and ex situ conservation programs. However meaningful progress towards that goal has proved elusive, though 2012 may well represent the turning point for
this enigmatic species. TSA Director of Animal Management Cris Hagen, accompanied by Indonesian biologist Awal Riyanto, recently sowed the early seeds of
collaboration with Tadulako University in Palu where an enthusiastic group of students and faculty is ready to embark on turtle and tortoise research projects.
We envision this program unfolding under a collaborative agreement with WCS Indonesia that will expand our impact on both L. yuwonoi and the other Sulawesi
endemic, Forsten's Tortoise, Indotestudo forstenii. Unfortunately both of these species continue to decline due to local and illegal international trade. Cris and
his team located a trader holding ~300 wild-caught adults under crowded and stressful conditions, in what will ostensibly become an approved "captive breeding"
operation. On a brighter note, we reported cautious optimism earlier this year as ex situ captive breeding success continues to improve for L. yuwonoi, both in
the U.S. and Europe. At least five private breeders in the U.S. and three zoos in Europe and the U.S. Muenster, Atlanta and Denver have reported hatchlings
since 2003, and we are aware of at least 12 surviving captive bred juveniles in the U.S. Photo credit adam thomPson, Zoo atlanta
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
Lonnie McCaskill
John Mitchell
Russ Mittermeier
Colin Poole
Hugh Quinn, Ph.D.
Anders Rhodin, M.D.
Raymond A. Saumure, Ph.D.
Frank Slavens
Andrew Walde
Bill Zeigler
advisory committee
Gary Ades
Bernard Devaux
Tomas Diagne
Arthur Georges, Ph.D.
Doug Hendrie
Brian Horne, Ph.D.
Gerald Kuchling, Ph.D.
Jackie Litzgus, Ph.D.
Bill Ninesling
Peter Praschag, Ph.D.
Maurice Rodrigues
Peter Paul van Dijk, Ph.D.
Dick Vogt, Ph.D.
Henk Zwartepoorte
Program coordinator
Heather Lowe
director of animal management
Cris Hagen
Contents of this publication should be cited as: author. (2012) article title. turtle survival, pp. xxxx.
turtle survival alliance 2012
august 2012 02 turtle survival
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) is pleased
to announce the appointment of Jim Breheny to
the TSA Board of Directors. Jim is the Execu-
tive Vice President and General Director of WCS
Zoos & Aquarium and Director of the Bronx
Zoo. He received his undergraduate degree from
Manhattan College where he was also an adjunct
in the Biology Department from 1998 through
2005 and a M.Sc. from Fordham University in
1984. Jim has been with the Wildlife Conser-
vation Society at its Bronx Zoo headquarters
in New York for 39 years. A former Curatorial
Science Fellow and Curator, he was named
General Curator in 2004, Director of the Bronx
Zoo in 2005 and appointed General Director in
2011. Jim is responsible for the operation and
management of the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo,
Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and the New
York Aquarium.
Jim has served on the Association of Zoos
and Aquariums (AZA) Membership Committee,
Professional Development Committee and is a
member of the Field Conservation Committee.
He is a member of the Zoos Advisory Board of
the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), and a
board member of the Behler Chelonian Center
(BCC) and the International Iguana Foundation.
But first and foremost Jim is passionate about
turtles and their survival, and is a vocal cham-
pion for the TSA / WCS strategic partnership. We
are excited about the leadership and experience
that he will bring to the TSA.
b o a r d o f d i r e c t o r s
TSA Welcomes a New Board Member
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. Working in collaboration with zoos, aquariums, universi-
ties, private turtle enthusiasts, veterinarians, government agencies, and
conservation organizations, the TSA is widely recognized as a catalyst for
turtle conservation with a reputation for swift and decisive action. With
projects or programs in Belize, Colombia, Europe, Madagascar, Senegal,
and throughout Asia, the TSA has grown into a global force for turtle con-
servation. The opening of the Turtle Survival Center in South Carolina in
2012 will greatly enhance our ability to protect the most vulnerable species
through ex-situ captive breeding.
About the Turtle Survival Alliance
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 03 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
pa r t n e r s
From our inception, the TSA was intended to be an alliance of partners that
shared in a common goal zero turtle extinctions. Since our formation in 2001,
partnerships have proven to be the secret to our success. The organizations
listed here provide a range of services to our collective mission, including: guid-
ance, networking, strategic planning, funding, turtle care and rescue facilities,
animal management, marketing and public relations, field research, logistical
and technical support, salaried positions, and a host of other resources. Sig-
nificantly, some of these have been with us since the early days and were there
when the TSA was born. All are integral to our success. On behalf of the Board
of Directors of the TSA, we salute this remarkable group of dedicated partners.
Partners are the
Key to Our Success

august 2012 04 turtle survival
The Turtle Conservancy's goal is simply to
produce as many offspring as possible for target
endangered species and to use these offspring for
conservation action. Over the last year, produc-
tion of hatchlings of several species has reached
flood stage. We have now produced 211 Burmese
Star Tortoises (Geochelone platynota), 206 Radi-
ated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata), 159 Burmese
Black Mountain Tortoises (Manouria emys
phayrei), 75 Indian Spotted Turtles (Geoclem-
mys hamiltonii), and 50 Spider Tortoises (Pyxis
arachnoides). Our success at captive breeding
these species certainly does not mean our task is
easy. Producing animals is only the first step. It is
the next steps that are hard.
Our current view on what to do with these
animals is that there are five kinds of action we
can take. The different actions must be matched
with the situation of each species, both in situ
and ex situ. In rough order of preference they are:
1. RepatRiation and ReintRoduction.
Our best candidate for this action is the
Burmese Star Tortoise, Geochelone platynota.
Providing that several significant challenges can
be overcome both political and with regard to
health and disease concerns we hope to partici-
pate in a repatriation of G. platynota to Myanmar.
WCS and TSA biologists have determined that
the Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctuary stands a
good chance of being sustainably repopulated
with this tortoise. We regard this action as the
optimal method to create conservation success
with our hatchlings. If this project is successful,
it will be the first time a turtle or tortoise species
has been sent from the United States back into
the wild of a range country.
2. RestoRation and Rewilding.
Although the BCC does not breed Bolson
Tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus), Turner
Endangered Species Fund (TESF) does so very
successfully. They have produced more than
200 hatchlings over the last six years and are
planning on releasing this species into areas
that have not been occupied since the end of the
Pleistocene, a process known as "rewilding."
As a complement to this program, the Turtle
Conservancy is purchasing land in the Mapimi
Biosphere Reserve, in the heart of the tortoise's
last remaining range. Release of TESF tortoises
on this land in areas where it has disappeared
over the last 50 years will inform the rewilding
that is planned in the United States.
3. the Right tuRtle in the wRong place.
There are several ecosystems around the
world where now extinct tortoises played
Turtle Conservancy
and Behler
Chelonian Center
Ross Kiester, Paul Gibbons and Eric Goode
t s a pa r t n e r n e w s
turtle conservancy
Young Burmese Star Tortoises at the Behler Chelonian Center. photo cRedit: tuRtle conseRvancy.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 05 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
Radiated Tortoises at the Behler Chelonian Center.
photo cRedit: tuRtle conseRvancy.
august 2012 06 turtle survival
important ecological roles. Imported tortoises
of other species can possibly take on those roles.
For example, Radiated Tortoises and Aldabra
Tortoises have been released on Round Island
near Mauritius and on Rodrigues Island in the
Indian Ocean in order to replace the native Cyl-
indraspis species that are long extinct. Prelimi-
nary results from these experiments indicate
that these surrogate species may be performing
the ecological roles of their unfortunate cousins,
helping to restore native plants and, indeed, en-
tire ecosystems. Could our Radiated Tortoises
play this role in the Bahama and Turks and
Caicos Islands that had medium-sized tortoises
on them just as recently as a few hundred years
ago? A controversial idea to be sure, but one that
needs further investigation.
4. Multiple assuRance colonies.
Even the most successful ex situ breeding
program is vulnerable to catastrophe: theft,
disease, natural and political disasters are always
a possibility. Any individual colony is also subject
to a lack of support over time as institutional
priorities change, experienced keepers retire or
move and economic hard times force cutbacks.
Multiple assurance colonies provide a crucial
backup and individuals of several of our species
could be used to create a network of colonies.
5. pets, the pRivate sectoR
and sulcataization.
There are just not enough zoos and dedicated
conservation facilities in the world to maintain all
of the species that need help. One of the founding
ideas of the TSA and also a core principle of the
TC is that dedicated and skillful private breeders
can provide the numbers of people that are needed
to maintain many species, especially species not
too large in size. We believe the Radiated Tortoise
is on the cusp of becoming a domesticated spe-
cies as has happened with the African Spurred
Tortoise (Geochelone or Centrochelys sulcata). Rare
in its native range, this species is now so com-
mon as a pet that we can be assured it will not go
extinct and that the United States market for wild
caught animals is now non-existent. The Radiated
Tortoise is the single most common species on the
Endangered Species Act Captive Bred Wildlife list
and there are a great many more not on the list.
Although it is in dire trouble in its native Mada-
gascar, it is close to becoming "Sulcataized," as we
like to call what has happened with the African
Spurred Tortoise. This is a kind of conservation
success. Maybe it's not the ideal success, but it is
one nonetheless. We do not foresee that we will
ever be able to send Radiated Tortoises back to
Madagascar and, indeed, Malagasy government
officials have indicated that they would much
prefer money to tortoises. By engaging the private
sector through sales of this species we can be sure
of sending financial support to in situ tortoise
conservation in Madagascar.
These are the conservation actions that we
have identified. We are constantly looking for
new ways to create conservation successes out of
captive breeding. In the meantime, having a large
number of tortoises available for new and old op-
tions is the goal we are achieving.
Burmese Black Mountain Tortoises at the Behler Chelonian Center. photo cRedit: tuRtle conseRvancy.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 07 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
This year, the TCF celebrates its tenth anniver-
sary. It was formed in 2002 as a strategizing and
funding coalition of leading turtle conserva-
tion organizations and individuals focused on
ensuring the long-term survival of tortoises and
freshwater turtles.
The first course of action that first year was
to produce a global conservation action plan in
partnership with the Turtle Survival Alliance,
Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist
Group, Conservation International and several
other affiliated partners. TCF's global turtle
conservation impact continued the following
year when it awarded its first grants. Since that
time, awards have been given twice a year, with
funding decisions made by the TCF's 27-mem-
ber Board, which provides representatives from
nine nations. Over the past ten years, TCF has
received 385 grant proposals, of which 131 (34%)
were funded. Total requests were US $2,053,426,
with US $620,162 (30%) awarded to projects in 38
nations. Grants ranged from US $1,000 10,000,
with an average of US $4,734.
Grants have been awarded for an array of
activities such as headstarting, field surveys,
educational programming, status assessment
workshops, captive breeding programs, trade
monitoring, capacity building, community
involvement, genetic analyses, population esti-
mates, and much more. Many imperiled species
have benefited from these grants.
For example, TCF-funded projects repre-
senting 23 (92%) of the Turtle Conservation
Coalition's "Turtles in Trouble: The World's Top
25+ Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater
Turtles 2011." Of TCF's 56 Target Species (2011
list), projects representing 36 (64%) have been
supported. Of the 68 taxa listed by IUCN as Criti-
cally Endangered (CR) or Endangered (EN), TCF
has supported projects for 44 (65%). However,
the Top 25, CR, EN and Target Species figures do
not include support for facilities or projects that
impact additional species.
The above TCF-supported projects exem-
plify the organization's holistic approach to
turtle conservation, which involves both ex situ
and in situ programs. Such efforts can only be
possible through partnerships with the various
organizations, institutions and individuals who
create and conduct the supported projects. These
partnerships form a coordinated, effective, global
network with a mission to conserve the world's
tortoises and freshwater turtles so that no spe-
cies becomes extinct in our lifetime.
Hugh Quinn, Ph.D., Co-Chair, Turtle Conservation Fund,
8200 Red Deer Road, Rapid City, SD 57702, USA
DoubleHQ@aol.com
Anders G.J. Rhodin, M.D., Co-Chair, Turtle Conservation
Fund, 168 Goodrich Street
Lunenburg, MA 01462 USA RhodinCRF@aol.com
www.TurtleConservationFund.org
The Turtle
Conservation Fund
(TCF) Celebrates
a Decade of Turtle
Conservation
Hugh Quinn and Anders Rhodin
t s a pa r t n e r n e w s
turtle conservation fund
TCF has supported nine projects representing over $43,000 for conservation activities of the Critically Endangered
Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii) in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. Photo Credit: thomas rainwater.
august 2012 08 turtle survival
In May 2012, existing enclosures and facilities at
the Melinh Station for Biodiversity were improved
and new ones built to house rescued turtles,
mostly derived from confiscations. The station,
located in northern Vietnam's Vinh Phuc Province
close to Tam Dao National Park, is maintained by
the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources
(IEBR) of the Vietnamese Academy of Sciences
and Technology based in Hanoi.
The work was carried out as part of a Memo-
randum of Understanding made between IEBR
and the Cologne Zoo, covering herpetological
diversity research and conservation activities.
Staff from Melinh Station were trained in the
proper use of the new facilities during a short
visit by two keepers from the Cologne Zoo's Ter-
rarium Department, Anna Rauhaus and Detlef
Karbe, and also by Thomas Ziegler, the Cologne
Zoo's Aquarium Curator and Vietnam Nature
Conservation Project Coordinator.
The team's five-day project at Melinh,
supported by funds from the Nederlands-
Belgische Schildpadden Vereniging, resulted in
the construction of a new amphibian unit, the
development of a preliminary quarantine sta-
tion for amphibians and reptiles, the construc-
tion of a lizard enclosure, and an improved
primate facility.
The team worked quickly to aid and house
confiscated turtles already at the station. They
examined individual animals, sexed them,
divided them into appropriate groups, and
settled them into existing facilities. A number
of Indochinese Box Turtles (Cuora galbinifrons)
and Keeled Box Turtles (C. mouhotii) were held
by the station, so small female groups were cre-
ated with only one male each and housed in en-
closures. Surplus males were isolated in single
enclosures to avoid aggressive interactions.
There weren't enough turtle facilities
available to properly house all the individuals
currently kept at the station. So we built new
enclosures in cooperation with station staff.
Three extensive outdoor enclosures were built
to shelter three Elongated Tortoises (Indotestudo
elongata). A facility originally used for the
keeping of porcupines was refurbished to house
confiscated turtles of the Cyclemys complex (C.
cf. atripons, and C. cf. oldhamii).
The remaining turtles at Melinh Station were
mostly pond turtles including Black-breasted
Leaf Turtles (Geoemyda spengleri), Giant Asian
Hill Turtles (Heosemys grandis), Mekong Snail-
eating Turtles (Malayemys subtrijuga), Viet-
namese Pond Turtles (Mauremys annamensis),
Chinese Stripe-necked Turtles (M. sinensis), Big-
headed Turtles (Platysternon megacephalum),
and Four-eyed Turtles (Sacalia quadriocellata).
Existing facilities were cleaned and improved for
these chelonians, giving them better access to
water and shelter.
New Facilities Created
for Threatened
Vietnamese Turtles
t s a e u r o p e
vietnam
Truong Quang Nguyen, Phuong Dang Huy, and Thomas Ziegler
One of the larger turtle facilities was subdivided into six compartments to separate male individuals of Cuora galbinifrons and C. mouhotii. Photo Credit: thomas Ziegler.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 09 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
Of course, the improvements made during the
first short visit of the Cologne Zoo team are only a
beginning. We hope to find funds to continue with
this work in early 2013. During the next phase, we
intend to offer an extended staff training in tech-
niques for dealing with quarantine, husbandry
management, and conservation breeding.
Another turtle conservation project of IEBR
focused on the Cuora trifasciata species complex.
An adult female, deriving from a confiscation
made in central Vietnam's Nghe An Province,
is currently available for future conservation
breeding projects. Outdoor enclosures for this
and other individuals will be built in future with
the kind support of the Nederlands-Belgische
Schildpadden Vereniging.
We also have plans to check the compat-
ibility, i.e., molecular identity, of individuals of
the Cuora trifasciata species complex bred at the
Allwetterzoo Mnster turtle station in Germany
for potential subsequent transfer to Vietnam to
help build up breeding groups.
While many challenges remain for turtle con-
servation in Vietnam, very good work was done
over the past year, and we expect more progress
in the year to come.
aCknowledgements
We thank the Cologne Zoo's animal keep-
ers Anna Rauhaus and Detlef Karbe for their
support and input, not only during their stay at
the Melinh Station, but also during their long
advance preparations in Germany. We are also
indebted to Le Quang Tuan, Pham The Cuong,
and Chu Thi Thao (Hanoi) for their help with
translations. Last but not least, the station team
strongly contributed to making the first mission
of the Cologne Zoo team at Melinh a success-
ful one. We are also thankful to Le Xuan Canh
(IEBR, Hanoi), Bernd Marcordes (Cologne
Zoo), Elmar Meier (Zoo Mnster), Theo Pagel
(Cologne Zoo), and Henk Zwartepoorte (Zoo
Rotterdam) for constructive discussions and
support. Henk Zwartepoorte also kindly ar-
ranged key financial support from the Neder-
lands-Belgische Schildpadden Vereniging. We
also acknowledge SERA for the donation of food
and equipment.
authors
Truong Quang Nguyen, Phuong Dang Huy, Institute of
Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy
of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road,
Hanoi, Vietnam; E-mail: nqt2@yahoo.com
Thomas Ziegler, AG Zoologischer Garten Kln, Riehler
Strasse 173, D-50735 Cologne, Germany;
E-mail: ziegler@koelnerzoo.de
We renovated this former porcupine enclosure with a new pond, leaf litter, and hiding places. It is now inhabited by
pond turtles of the genus Cyclemys. Photo Credit: thomas Ziegler.
The German-Vietnamese working team at Melinh Station in May 2012. Photo Credit: Pham the Cuong.
august 2012 10 turtle survival
In a joint effort of the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic
Garden (KFBG) in Hong Kong, the International
Centre for Turtle Conservation (IZS) at Mnster
Zoo, Germany, the studbook keepers within the
European Studbook Foundation (ESF) for Cuora
trifasciata and Cuora cyclornata and TSA Europe,
breeding groups of Cuora cyclornata cyclornata,
Cuora cyclornata cf. cyclornata and Cuora cyclor-
nata meieri, turtles were transferred from KFBG
to the IZS on 19 April 2012, arriving in Mnster
on 20 April. The groups consist of long-term
captive founders as well as specimens bred at
KFBG, some of them having been in their care for
more than 15 years. This transfer enables KFBG
to focus even more on the conservation of Hong
Kong's native Cuora trifasciata form while Euro-
pean studbook participants will focus further on
Cuora cyclornata. The European Studbook cur-
rently holds 5.7.9 C. c. meieri, 1.7 C. c. cyclornata
and 13.20.15 C. c. cf. cyclornata including these
new specimens.
Once considered to belong to one and the
same species, i.e. Cuora trifasciata sensu lato, it
was shown that different species were hidden
within this taxon. While some studies hypoth-
esize that this is not the case, the most up to date
study from Potsdam University, Germany, using
microsatellite markers, substantiates the distinc-
tiveness of at least five evolutionary significant
units and a minimum of two good species within
the Cuora trifasciata sensu lato complex.
The Vietnamese Golden Coin Turtle (Cuora
cyclornata) originates from Vietnam and Laos,
whereas the Chinese Golden Coin Turtle (Cuora
trifasciata) is endemic to China, inhabiting the
southern provinces including Hainan Island and
Golden Coin Turtle
Transfer Completed
Torsten Blanck, Martina Raffel, Elmar Meier, Paul Crow and Gary Ades
A Cuora c. cf. cyclornata female in its new enclosure. Photo Credit: torsten BlanCk
pa r t n e r n e w s
tsa europe
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 11 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
species
Clutch data1
incubation data2
Biometrical data3
amboinensis
+ (except for C.a.kamaroma)
++
aurocapitata
++
++
++
bourreti
+
+
flavomarginata
+
++
galbinifrons
++
+ (subadults)
mccordi
+
++
++
mouhotii
+
++ (especially C.m.obsti)
++
pani
+
+
++
picturata
+
++
+
trifasciata/cyclornata
++
++
++
yunnanensis
++
++
++
zhoui
+
+
+
1 Clutch data: date, clutch size, egg size, egg weight
2 Incubation data: incubator type, temperature (regime), humidity, substrate, clutch size, fertility percentage,
Incubation length, hatch rate
3 Biometrical data: length, width, height, weight
We have been working since 2010 on a book
encompassing the genus Cuora. The volume will
bundle available information and provide inter-
esting new data as well. It is our hope that this
book will consolidate and improve the overall
knowledge of this genus and contribute to their
conservation.
An important part of the book will deal with
captive propagation of all Cuora species. There-
fore, data has been gathered from many hobby-
ists. For some species we have a good dataset,
such as for C.galbinifrons where we have data
from 209 clutches. However, because we aim for
large datasets, we require extra data on specific
issues for most species.
The table with this article shows the type
of data most needed for each species. For ex-
ample, in regard to clutch data, there's a strong
need for information about C.aurocapitata,
C.trifasciata/cyclornata and C.yunnanensis.
For most species, extra incubation data will be
useful, as would biometrical data. This doesn't
mean we don't appreciate the contribution
of other data, it merely shows what is most
Call for Cuora data
Richard Struijk, Henk Zwartepoorte, and Peter Paul van Dijk
needed (+ or ++). We prefer raw data instead of
average values. All data provided will be used
within the book, so please don't hesitate to
contribute!
We are also interested in high quality images
to illustrate the volume, especially pictures of
natural habitat, terrarium setup, outdoor enclo-
sures, breeding, etc.
If you'd like to contribute data or photos please
send to Richard Struijk, r.struijk@yahoo.com.
Hong Kong. The IZS has focused its efforts since
2003 on conservation breeding of the Vietnamese
Golden Coin Turtle besides more than a dozen of
other critically endangered Asian turtle species,
with a special focus on the genus Cuora. While
both species are bred by the thousands in Chinese
turtle farms, they are virtually extinct through-
out their range. To serve the traditional Chinese
medicine as a claimed cure of cancer, a talisman,
status symbol and pets has led to the collapse of
both species within the last three decades. The
species is now listed as critically endangered by
the IUCN and Appendix II of CITES, which aims
to protect endangered species from over-exploita-
tion by international trade.
In farms, these species and subspecies hy-
bridize due to lack of control, thus the potential
founder stock for conservation projects is very
limited. This transfer between KFBG and the IZS
has increased the current number of specimens of
the three forms/subspecies of Cuora cyclornata in
Europe by nearly 25 percent. The groups were dis-
tributed by recommendation of the ESF Studbook
Keepers and placed in two German zoological
gardens and three private breeders to establish
geographically separated assurance colonies,
minimizing the risk of losing the entire groups
due to disease or other catastrophe. It is hoped
that these groups will yield first breeding results
in 2013. Since all animals arrived in very healthy
conditions at the IZS this goal seems achievable.
Torsten Blanck, cuora_yunnanensis@yahoo.com
Unpacking the turtles at the Allwetter Zoo in Mnster. Photo Credit: GiaComo CeCCarelli
august 2012 12 turtle survival
In 2011, a total of 37 turtle offspring were
produced, of which 36 hatchlings survived at
the International Centre for the Conservation
of Turtles (IZS). The IZS is a joint project of the
Muenster Zoo, the Zoological Society for the
Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP),
and the German Herpetological Society (DGHT).
The primary focus of the IZS project contin-
ues to be the breeding of box turtles of the genus
Cuora, with a total of 29 hatchlings in 2011. How-
ever, eggs of the Red-Necked Pond Turtle (Chine-
mys nigricans) and the Vietnamese Pond Turtle
(Mauremys annamensis) were also incubated.
Unfortunately, the first fertilized eggs of the
Tricarinate Hill Turtle (Melanochelys tricarina-
ta) announced in the 2011 issue of Turtle Survival
Journal did not develop into hatchlings, so this
species still has not been bred successfully. How-
ever, the year 2012 started promisingly, when a
Sulawesi Forest Turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi)
hatched on 7 January, and three Arakan Forest
Turtles (Heosemys depressa) hatched in late
March. IZS is thus regularly breeding 13 of the
40 species and subspecies that are currently at
t s a e u r o p e
IZS/MnSter Zoo
Breeding Update from the International Centre for the
Conservation of Turtles (IZS) in the Muenster Zoo
Dr. Martina Raffel and Elmar Meier
No. of
hatchlings
English name
Scientific name
3
Red-Necked
Pond Turtle
Chinemys nigricans
7
Yellow-Headed
Box Turtle
Cuora aurocapitata
3
Golden Coin Box
Turtle
Cuora cf. cyclornata
1
Meier's Golden
Coin Box Turtle
Cuora cyclornata meieri
3
Indochinese Box
Turtle
Cuora galbinifrons
11
McCord's Box
Turtle
Cuora mccordi
1
Southern
Vietnam Box
Turtle
Cuora picturata
3
Zhou's Box Turtle
Cuora zhoui
5
Vietnamese Pond
Turtle
Mauremys annamensis
OffSpriNg hatchEd at iZS iN 2011
Three Arakan Forest Turtles (Heosemys depressa)
hatched at the end of March 2012 at IZS.
phOtO crEdit: aliNa lOth
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Awarding small grants and conducting training opportunities
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Supporting conservation work and recovery programs for critically
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highest risk for extinction.
Between the start of operations in 2003 and
December 2011, the program hatched a total
of 334 specimens, with 329 of those hatchlings
surviving up to now.
dr. Martina Raffel, Curator for in situ Conservation,
Allwetterzoo Muenster, Sentruper Strasse 315, 48161
Muenster, Germany, raffel@allwetterzoo.de; elmar Meier,
Volunteer Project Manager IZS.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 13 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
The TSA's Animal Management Program experi-
enced an extremely busy and productive year. In
our quest to streamline and prioritize the TSA's
living collections, a master collection plan was
completed and implemented. This plan will serve
as the foundation for all future assurance colony
management, acquisition, and disposition within
the TSA's captive collections.
During the past 12 months, the TSA placed
more than 100 turtles and tortoises with
members through breeding loans, loan trans-
fers, adoptions, and new acquisitions. Several
significant collections of priority species were
donated and placed, thanks to the generosity and
commitment of our membership. In addition, the
TSA received animals from three confiscations
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I am also
pleased to announce that in the past year we saw
more captive bred hatchlings of the critically en-
dangered Sulawesi Forest Turtle (Leucocephalon
yuwonoi) than in all previous years combined.
Lastly, and most importantly, I am ex-
tremely excited by the decision to acquire a
new Turtle Survival Center as a home base for
the TSA and its Animal Management program.
As detailed facility planning has progressed, it
has become clear that the Center will be trans-
formational in the TSA's commitment to zero
turtle extinctions (see page 18).
Captive RepRoduCtion of the SulaweSi
foReSt tuRtle (LeucocephaLon yuwonoi)
It has been a great year for L. yuwonoi repro-
duction in captivity. Hatchlings were produced
by TSA member Frank Passamonte (2), Dr. Greg
Fleming (2), the Denver Zoo (2), Zoo Atlanta (1),
and the Muenster Zoo (1). Eggs were gener-
ally incubated on moistened vermiculite and/
or sphagnum moss at temperatures of 24 28 C
2012 Animal Management Report
Cris Hagen
a n i m a l m a n a g e m e n t
The Animal Management Program acquired two adult pairs of long-term captive Southern Keeled Box Turtles (Cuora mouhotii obsti) this year. photo CRedit: CRiS hagen.
august 2012 14 turtle survival
Sulawesi Forest Turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi)
hatched in captivity on 5 September 2011 by
TSA member Frank Passamonte. photo CRedit: CRiS hagen.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 15 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
ploughshare tortoises arrive in the u.S.
Michael ogle
The Ploughshare or Angonoka Tortoise
(Astrochelys yniphora) is one of the rarest
chelonians in the world today. A. yniphora
is endemic to a small section of remnant
bamboo-scrub habitat surrounding Baly
Bay in northwest Madagascar. Slash and
burn agriculture, along with smuggling
for the Southeast Asian black market pet
trade, has reduced the wild population to an
estimated 400 adult tortoises. The Durrell
Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT) has
worked to save this species from extinction
for the last 25 years. Without their com-
mitment to the Ploughshare, the tortoise
would have disappeared years ago. Un-
fortunately, illegal trade in this species has
increased significantly since a 2009 coup
changed the Madagascar government.
This increased trade prompted DWCT to
ask for assistance from the international
conservation community to prevent further
catastrophic declines. Eric Goode and his
organization, the Turtle Conservancy/Behler
Chelonian Center (TC/BCC), have risen to
the challenge. Protecting the tortoises in
situ is of the utmost importance, and DWCT
and TC, with support from the TSA, are
working to do just that. They are pursuing a
multifaceted approach, working with local
communities, building additional quarantine
facilities in Madagascar for confiscated
Ploughshares, and purchasing a high speed
boat to more effectively patrol the northwest
Madagascar coastline for smugglers.
One recommendation made at the
2008 IUCN Red List meeting in An-
tananarivo, Madagascar called for the
establishment of an ex situ population
as a safety net for the species' long-term
survival. On 14 March 2012, the Turtle
Survival Alliance, in conjunction with Zoo
Atlanta and the Knoxville Zoo, imported
eight juvenile Ploughshare Tortoises from
our partner Kadoorie Farm and Botanical
Garden in Hong Kong (KFBG).
The tortoises were initially confiscated
by authorities in Hong Kong in 2010 and
then maintained by KFBG until they were
shipped to the United States. The Hong
Kong authorities selected Kadoorie because
of its long history of working with turtles and
tortoises confiscated from illegal traffick-
ers. The keeper staff at Kadoorie did an
excellent job nursing these tortoises back
to health and getting them accustomed to
captive conditions. Without their hard work,
these tortoises would surely have suc-
cumbed. KFBG cannot be thanked enough
for their willingness to work with these and
other confiscated chelonians.
The Ploughshare shipment to the United
States was a milestone achievement for our
organizations, this being only the second
time that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has
approved an import permit for this species.
These eight tortoises, plus the ten imported
in 2011 by the Behler Chelonian Center,
will form the nucleus of the U.S. assurance
colony. The opportunity now exists to further
develop breeding groups in Europe and the
United States, as additional confiscated tor-
toises become available. In an ideal situation,
confiscated tortoises would be returned to
Madagascar. However, for now, the decision
has been made that all confiscated Plough-
shares in Asia should, when possible, enter
into the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA) or European Association of Zoos and
Aquaria (EAZA) breeding programs.
Michael Ogle, Knoxville Zoo, mogle@knoxvillezoo.org
(75 82 F) and hatched after four or five months.
This species has proven to be very difficult to
keep and breed in captivity and the hatchling
success numbers are a significant development in
captive husbandry. We hope this trend continues
and signifies a turning point for Leucocephalon
assurance colonies.
ConfiSCationS
A small confiscation of 0.4 Spek's Hinge-
backed Tortoises (Kinixys spekii) was received
in January 2012. A confiscation of 22 Pancake
Tortoises (Malacochersus tornieri) that occurred
in 2009 was recently officially released to the
TSA. Finally, a group of juvenile Ploughshare
Tortoises (Astrochelys yniphora) that were confis-
cated in Hong Kong were imported into the U.S.
in March 2012 (see text box).
animal donationS
Over the past year, the TSA has received several
generous donations from members, many of them
priority species. These include, 5.2.16 Chelodina
mccordi, 2.3 Cuora galbinifrons, 2.4 Cuora mouhotii,
0.0.13 Cuora trifasciata, 0.0.2 Heosemys depressa,
2.1 Heosemys spinosa, 1.1.2 Leucocephalon yuwonoi,
1.1 Manouria impressa, 4.1 Notochelys platynota,
2.1 Platysternon megacephalum, and 1.9.10 Testudo
kleinmanni. (Notation expresses the sex ratios
among the donated animals, e.g. 5 male, 2 female
and 16 unsexed juveniles of Chelodina mccordi).
Donations like these help the TSA build ex
situ captive assurance colonies of priority species
while preserving critical operating funds. With
the extremely low numbers of existing individu-
als of some species and the rapid decline of oth-
ers, every individual has the potential to make a
difference in maintaining the genetic diversity of
captive populations.
Confiscated Madagascar Ploughshare Tortoises
(Astrochelys yniphora) being held and cared for at
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) in May
2011. These tortoises will ultimately be transferred to
institutions in the U.S. forming important ex situ assur-
ance colonies. photo CRedit: CRiS hagen.
The TSA is building up its holdings of Chinese Big-
headed Turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) through
donations. This cool-adapted, mountain stream dwelling
species has proven difficult to successfully reproduce
in captivity but with focused attention, we hope that
images like this will become more commonplace. photo
CRedit: CRiS hagen.
august 2012 16 turtle survival
animal aCquiSitionS
The TSA purchased 2.2 long-term captive
Southern Keeled Box Turtles (Cuora mouhotii
obsti) and 4.8 Philippine Box Turtles (Cuora am-
boinensis) to be managed in the captive program.
animal loanS
A total of 135 individual turtles and tortoises
were placed with members (35 private and 6
institutional) through the TSA's Animal Manage-
ment Program. These include the following
species: Carettochelys insculpta, Chelodina mc-
cordi, Cuora mccordi, Cuora galbinifrons, Cuora
mouhotii, Cuora trifasciata, Geochelone elegans,
Geochelone platynota, Heosemys depressa,
Heosemys spinosa, Kinixys spekii, Leucocephalon
yuwonoi, Malacochersus tornieri, Manouria emys
phayrei, Manouria impressa, Mauremys annamen-
sis, Notochelys platynota, Platysternon megaceph-
alum, and Pyxis arachnoides.
animal adoptionS
Several members received animals through
the Animal Management Program's permanent
adoption process, including Egyptian Tortoises
(Testudo kleinmanni) and Asian Brown Tortoises
(Manouria emys emys).
planS foR the Coming YeaR
We are currently organizing our first
international reintroduction project, returning
Vietnamese Pond Turtles (Mauremys anna-
mensis) to protected areas in their home range.
Before reintroductions begin, all captive found-
ers will be screened genetically to ensure none
are hybrids. Genetic screening will be carried
out at molecular laboratories in the U.S., Europe,
and Asia, with completion set for the end of 2012.
Once the genetic background of the founders is
known, only non-hybrid individuals will be bred
to provide offspring for headstarting and release
programs in Vietnam.
Obviously, the primary focal point of the
Animal Management Program in 2013 will be
the development of the new Turtle Survival
Center in South Carolina. This facility will
serve as a turning point for The TSA's animal
management efforts, allowing us to more ef-
fectively manage groups of priority species,
handle confiscations, and conduct captive
husbandry training for foreign turtle conser-
vationists working with rescue centers and
assurance colonies.
Cris Hagen, Turtle Survival Alliance, Drawer E, Aiken, SC
29802, USA chagen@turtlesurvival.org
On 23 January 2012, the Denver Zoo successfully hatched its first Sulawesi Forest Turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi).
photo CRedit: RiCk haeffneR.
One of five adult Indochinese Box Turtles (Cuora galbinifrons) donated to the TSA's Animal Management Program in
2012. photo CRedit: CRiS hagen.
22 Pancake Tortoises (Malacochersus tornieri) confiscated in a shipment from Zambia in 2009 were recently released
to the TSA. They will be integrated into the TSA's existing captive program for this species. photo CRedit: CRiS hagen.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 17 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) was founded in
2001 in response to the magnitude of the turtle
extinction crisis. Even then, it was clear that
some critically endangered species would not
survive without long-term captive assurance
colonies. Historically, the TSA's assurance colo-
nies have been spread over multiple locations as a
hedge against a catastrophic loss due to a disease
outbreak, fire, or other disaster. Although this
policy will continue, we have long recognized
the need for a dedicated center to serve as a focal
point for our living collections. However, we
Transforming the
Turtle Survival Alliance
a n i m a l m a n a g e m e n t
turtle survival center
The heart of the Turtle Survival Center, housing the vet clinic, quarantine rooms and other amenities, with ponds in the foreground. Photo credit: cris hagen
The Golden Coin Box Turtle
(Cuora trifasciata) is one of
the species included in the
collection plan for the TSC.
Photo credit: Peter Praschag
august 2012 18 turtle survival
have not actively pursued this goal as the cost of
buying land and building a facility from scratch
was considered far too great.
The situation changed dramatically in March
when Sam Seashole, DVM, offered to sell the
TSA a wonderful property which is ideal for
our dedicated center. This 50-acre property is
located in South Carolina, where the climate is
moderate coastal lowland, with mostly warm
sunny days and occasional overnight freezes in
the winter. The site climate is comparable to a
number of the areas in Asia where many of our
target species are found, and most of the species
in our collection plan should thrive outdoors at
the site. In fact, turtle specialists in this region
of South Carolina routinely keep subtropical and
temperate Asian species outdoors year round.
The site, originally developed for crocodil-
ians, is an amazing fit to our needs and comes
with much of the infrastructure and equipment
required for a successful turtle and tortoise breed-
ing operation, including fenced ponds, pastures,
and other outdoor enclosures. It also has a mod-
ern, fully-equipped veterinary facility designed
for wildlife rescue which is perfect for treating
animals confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade
and for training vets from the U.S. and abroad in
the latest turtle veterinary techniques. The facility
also provides significant opportunities for expan-
sion, with only four acres currently developed.
Once in operation, this facility will enable
the TSA to develop a world-class Turtle Survival
Center (TSC) with assurance colonies for critically
tsc tailor-Made for chelonians
The facility currently boasts the following:
Veterinary clinic A new, fully equipped small animal/exotic facility, with two
exam rooms, pharmacy, fully equipped clinical lab, surgical suite with new modern
equipment, and portable X-ray unit with developing room.
conference center A 1,000 square foot conference room, plus guest living
quarters that include a full bath and kitchenette.
Barn The barn has four stalls and two treatment/isolation rooms with caging facilities.
Quarantine room The quarantine facility is fully heated and cooled.
Wells Four wells on the property include a deep well with tepid water to supply
reptile ponds in winter.
generator Available in the event of power outages in winter.
concrete ponds There are eleven securely fenced ponds on the property.
tortoise enclosure Includes a heated house and six modular carports
that provide shade.
house The 2,000 square foot home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and
a separate, but attached apartment.
Mobile home A mobile home on the property provides additional living quarters.
Dr. Sam Seashole poses with one of the previous resi-
dents of the facility. Photo credit: cris hagen
This proposed master plan lays out TSA's vision for a truly world-class turtle and tortoise facility. draWing By neVin lash.
The facility's already
existing quarantine
room will allow the
Collection Manager to
bring new animals into
the collection safely.
Photo credit: cris hagen
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 19 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
tortoise and turtle species in the
turtle survival center collection Plan
iUcn red list status
top 25 Most at
risk of extinction
tortoises
Asian Mountain Tortoise, Manouria emys phayrei
Critically Endangered
Impressed Tortoise, Manouria impressa
Vulnerable
Forsten's Tortoise, Indotestudo forsteni
Endangered
Home's Hinge-Back Tortoise, Kinixys homeana
Vulnerable
Burmese Star Tortoise, Geochelone platynota
Critically Endangered
X
Madagascar Spider Tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides
Critically Endangered
Madagascar Flat-Tailed Tortoise, Pyxis planicauda
Critically Endangered
tUrtles
Beale's Eyed Turtle, Sacalia bealei
Critically Endangered
Four-Eyed Turtle, Sacalia quadriocellata
Endangered
Arakan Forest Turtle, Heosemys depressa
Critically Endangered
Vietnam Pond Turtle, Mauremys annamensis
Critically Endangered
X
Red-Necked Pond Turtle, Mauremys nigricans
Critically Endangered
Golden-Headed Box Turtle, Cuora aurocapitata
Critically Endangered
X
McCord's Box Turtle, Cuora mccordi
Critically Endangered
X
Keeled Box Turtle, Cuora mouhotii
Critically Endangered
Pan's Box Turtle, Cuora pani
Critically Endangered
Golden Coin Box Turtle, Cuora trifasciata / C. cyclornata
Critically Endangered
X
Indochinese Box Turtle, Cuora galbinifrons
Critically Endangered
Bourret's Box Turtle, Cuora bourreti
Critically Endangered
Southern Vietnamese Box Turtle, Cuora picturata
Critically Endangered
Zhou's Box Turtle, Cuora zhoui
Critically Endangered
X
Sulawesi Forest Turtle, Leucocephalon yuwonoi
Critically Endangered
X
Big Headed Turtle, Platysternon megacephalon
Endangered
Rote Island Snake-Necked Turtle, Chelodina mccordi
Critically Endangered
X
Madagascar Helmeted Turtle,
Erymnochelys madagascariensis
Critically Endangered
X
Indochinese Serrated Turtle, Geoemyda spengleri
Endangered
Spiny Hill Turtle, Heosemys spinosa
Endangered
ensuring a future for turtles and tortoises
The targeted collection plan for the Turtle Survival Center comprises seven species
of tortoises and 20 species of freshwater turtles primarily Asian carefully selected for
assurance colonies based on the critical need of captive breeding for survival, and
suitability to the South Carolina climate.
Four of the tortoises and 16 of the turtle species are ranked by the IUCN Red List as
being Critically Endangered, the category with the highest risk of extinction. And 17 are on
the list of the World's 25+ Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, compiled
by the Turtle Conservation Coalition in 2011. Nine species are listed in the top 25 and the
remaining eight are listed in the top 40 at the highest risk of extinction.
endangered chelonians that depend on captive
management for their survival. The TSC will also
handle confiscations and rescues as well as stage
reintroduction efforts from captive bred offspring.
Utilizing fenced outdoor enclosures, ponds, and
greenhouses, the TSC will provide high-quality
animal care with world class veterinary support.
Of course, TSA's policy of maintaining far-
flung assurance colonies in countries around the
globe will continue. Those colonies will function
in conjunction with the TSC, allowing us to
expand the sizes of our assurance colonies while
continuing to offer critical insurance against a
disaster wiping out any one colony.
We expect the TSC will ultimately become a
hub for our captive breeding activities, especially
with the help and involvement of members, students
and volunteers. The Center will also provide an
excellent venue for conducting training workshops
as part of the TSA's commitment to expand oppor-
tunities for our international colleagues. Student
research projects will also be encouraged.
Volunteer opportunities will also abound in
the near future, as we gear up to get the property
"turtle ready". Weekend volunteer trips will
present a great chance to pitch in for turtle con-
servation, while also attracting turtle enthusiasts
from near and far. We have no doubt that the
Turtle Survival Center will transform the TSA,
offering extraordinary new and enhanced capa-
bilities and capacities for turtle conservation.
The on-site veterinary clinic includes two examination
rooms, along with a host of modern equipment.
Photo credit: cris hagen
august 2012 20 turtle survival
Opportunities
for Support
The mission of the TSA is rooted in the need
to keep and maintain assurance colonies to
secure the future of the world's most endangered
chelonians. We are pleased to be presented with
the opportunity to purchase a property in South
Carolina that is ideally suited to our goals. We
envision the development of the Turtle Survival
Center on this property, where assurance colonies
for critically endangered turtles and tortoises that
depend on captive management for their survival
can be developed. There are plans to expand the
infrastructure and facilities of this property in
2013 to turn it into a truly world-class facility.
By becoming a supporter of the Center, you have
the opportunity to partner with a program that will
save many species from extinction. Your legacy will
be that you were direct, integral in helping the TSA's
Turtle Survival Center guarantee the survival of not
one, but a number of species that are nearing extinction.
To learn more about giving opportunities,
please contact Heather Lowe at (817)759-7262.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 21 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
The genus Graptemys, commonly referred to as
map or sawback turtles, contains the most turtle
species of any North American turtle genus.
With such an incredible taxonomic diversity, as
well as their intricate patterns, shapes, and col-
ors, map turtles as a group have been a favorite of
hobbyists for a very long time. Of the 14 species,
eight are endemic to single river drainages of the
southeastern United States, with two endemic
species occurring together in three of the Gulf of
Mexico river systems: the Mobile River system
(G. pulchra, Alabama Map Turtle; G. nigrinoda,
Black-knobbed Sawback), the Pascagoula River
system (G. gibbonsi, Pascagoula Map Turtle; G.
flavimaculata, Yellow-blotched Sawback), and
the Pearl River system (G. pearlensis, Pearl River
Map Turtle; G. oculifera, Ringed Sawback; Buhl-
mann et al. 2008).
Three species of Graptemys occur within the
Cahaba River system of Alabama (Alabama Map
Turtle, Black-knobbed Sawback, and the Com-
mon Map Turtle, G. geographica), but researchers
have only found localities where two of the three
species occur. The epicenter for Graptemys di-
versity is in the state of Mississippi, which boasts
nine species, while Alabama and Louisiana host
six and five species, respectively. Most map and
sawback turtle species are primarily found in
rivers, streams, bayous, or oxbow lakes that drain
into the Gulf of Mexico (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).
Even though the genus Graptemys has a
large number of species, researchers still know
little about their basic life history and ecology.
Their taxonomy has been equally challenging,
with six Graptemys species described between
1950 and 2000 (G. ouachitensis, Ouachita Map
Turtle 1953; G. flavimaculata 1954; G. nigrinoda
1954; G. caglei, Cagle's Map Turtle 1974; G.
ernsti, Escambia Map Turtle 1992; G. gibbonsi
1992). The last species to be formally described
Turtles in Dixie:
Map Turtles and Sawbacks
Will Selman, Ph.D.1 and Cris Hagen
a n i m a l m a n a g e m e n t
genus gr aptemys
Can you identify all of these Graptemys? Answer key on p. 63 Photo by cris hagen
was the Pearl River Map Turtle, G. pearlensis
(Ennen et al. 2010), further underscoring the
relative little we know about the genus. It is pos-
sible that additional "cryptic species" may occur
and may be described in the future.
Unfortunately, many of these attractive
turtle species are considered species of concern
or are considered state threatened/endangered.
Population declines in the 1980's and 1990's of
the Ringed Sawback and Yellow-blotched Saw-
back led to these species being listed as federally
threatened under the Endangered Species Act
(USFWS 1986, 1991).
There are many threats to the genus and
most are associated with loss of riverine habitat
and habitat alteration, which includes the de-
snagging of river systems (removal of fallen trees
which provide basking and prey species habitats),
construction of reservoirs, river channelization,
excessive water withdrawal, and water quality
degradation. Additional threats include shooting
of turtles as target practice, collisions with boats,
collection for the pet trade, fisherman by-catch,
and the destruction of nests on sandbars by
recreational ATV riding (Buhlmann et al., 2008;
Lindeman, in press).
All 16 currently recognized species and sub-
species of map turtles are being maintained and
bred in captivity. Several species of narrow-head-
ed map turtles are reproducing regularly in many
captive collections and large scale turtle farms in
the Southeastern United States have been mass-
producing a few species, including the Mississippi
Map Turtle and Ouachita Map turtle for decades.
As a result, these two species have been common-
place in pet stores and reptile trade shows across
the U.S. for a many years, as well as available in
international pet markets. In addition to private
keepers, public institutions such as the Tennessee
Aquarium continue to safeguard species like the
federally threatened Yellow-blotched Map Turtle
through successful captive breeding programs.
references
Buhlmann, K., T. Tuberville, and W. Gibbons. 2008. Turtles of the southeast. University of Georgia Press, Athens and London.
Ennen, J. R., J.E. Lovich, B.R. Kreiser, W. Selman, and C.P. Qualls. 2010. Genetic and morphological variation between popula-
tions of the Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi) in the Pearl and Pascagoula rivers with description of a new species.
Chelonian Conservation and Biology 9:98-113.
Ernst, C.H., and J.E. Lovich. 2009. Turtles of the United States and Canada. 2nd ed. Smithsonian Institute Press, Washington
D.C., USA.
Lindeman, P.V. In press. The Map Turtle and Sawback Atlas: Ecology, Evolution, Distribution, and Conservation of the Genus
Graptemys. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Determination for threatened status for the ringed sawback turtle. Federal Register
51(246):45907-45910.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1991. Determination for threatened status for the yellow-blotched map turtle. Federal Register
56(9):1459-1463.
Will Selman, Ph.D., Research Coordinator and Wildlife Biologist, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries, Grand Chenier, LA 70643, USA, wselman@wlf.la.gov
august 2012 22 turtle survival
1. Cagle's Map Turtle, Graptemys caglei, Photo credit: bill hughes
2. Sabine Map Turtle, Graptemys sabinensis, Photo credit: Paul Vander schouw
3. Ouachita Map Turtle, Graptemys ouachitensis, Photo credit: Paul Vander schouw
4. False Map Turtle, Graptemys pseudogeographica, Photo credit: Paul Vander schouw
5. Northern Map Turtle, Graptemys geographica, Photo credit: Paul Vander schouw
6. Barbour's Map Turtle, Graptemys barbouri, Photo credit: cris hagen
7. Escambia Map Turtle, Graptemys ernsti, Photo credit: Jim godwin
8. Northern Black-knobbed Map Turtle, Graptemys nigrinoda nigrinoda, Photo credit: Jim godwin
9. Southern Black-knobbed Map Turtle, Graptemys nigrinoda delticola, Photo credit: cris hagen
10. Alabama Map Turtle, Graptemys pulchra, Photo credit: tim miedema
11. Yellow-blotched Map Turtle, Graptemys flavimaculata, Photo credit: Paul Vander schouw
12. Pascagoula Map Turtle, Graptemys gibbonsi, Photo credit: tim miedema
13. Ringed Map Turtle, Graptemys oculifera, Photo credit: bob Jones
14. Pearl River Map Turtle, Graptemys pearlensis, Photo credit: Paul Vander schouw
15. Mississippi Map Turtle, Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni, Photo credit: cris hagen
16. Texas Map Turtle, Graptemys versa, Photo credit: Paul Vander schouw
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a publication of the turtle survival alliance 23 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
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august 2012 24 turtle survival
The TSA is implementing a comprehensive
strategy to save Madagascar's Radiated Tortoise,
launching major infrastructure initiatives, an
extensive public awareness campaign, crucial
education and training workshops, support for
law enforcement, and sponsorship of scientific
research. Our goal is a science-based reintroduc-
tion program, embraced and managed by local
communities and law enforcement agencies, to
effectively restore healthy tortoise populations.
The future of the Radiated Tortoise hangs in
the balance; its survival depends on our ability
to find solutions to the current crisis and garner
support for the cause.
TSA BuildS New School
AT ANTSAkoAmASy
A new primary school at Antsakoamasy,
built with TSA support, opened in March.
A huge crowd attended the ribbon cutting
ceremony, and local political leaders reflected
on the new school's significance. The Regional
Director of National Education said that the
event, "marks a special occasion for us in
Androy, because a conservation organization
[TSA] managed to bring us together to refresh
our memory about the culture linked to the
taboo," against harming tortoises. The official
noted how the taboo, biodiversity preserva-
tion, and the need for a new school all joined
together to create "a strong basis for the future
of our children. All three in one, we have never
seen that before. I did not expect that tortoise
conservation would construct a school!" He
committed to hiring the current teacher at
Antsakoamasy as a permanent government em-
ployee, and promised to request an additional
teacher next year. The school demonstrates
the TSA's commitment to building lasting
partnerships with local communities to ensure
a brighter future for tortoises and people.
TorToiSe huSBANdry workShopS
TSA Madagascar conducted two husbandry
training workshops in March in response to the
growing number of tortoise confiscations, and as
a step toward developing more tortoise-care per-
sonnel and dedicated facilities. The workshops,
funded by a World Wildlife Fund Education
for Nature grant, aimed at improving care and
survival of seized tortoises.
The first workshop was held in the newly
dedicated school at Antsakoamasy, and the sec-
ond at SOPTOM's Village des Tortues in Ifaty.
Fifty people attended, representing Madagas-
car National Parks (MNP), the Forestry De-
partment, Gendarmes (police), and local com-
munities with potential tortoise release sites.
Topic highlights included species identification
and distribution, threats to tortoise popula-
tions, national and international laws protect-
ing tortoises, group responsibilities regard-
ing tortoise confiscations, best practices for
transporting tortoises seized from the trade,
triage, housing construction and husbandry
considerations. Lectures reviewed proper data
collection during confiscations, and the rein-
troduction of tortoises. Of particular interest,
participants learned about the establishment of
temporary holding facilities in Beloha and the
other four districts in the Androy region. Par-
ticipants also shared their experiences regard-
ing regional obstacles to tortoise conservation,
especially the lack of financial resources for
local tortoise protection, enforcement, and
confiscations. These workshops resulted in
groups of empowered advocates; the TSA's
challenge will be to identify resources allow-
ing the groups to have direct and immediate
impacts on tortoise conservation.
TSA Madagascar
Leads Fight to
Conserve Imperiled
Radiated Tortoise
Herilala R andriamahazo, Rick Hudson, and Christina Castellano
r a n g e c o u n t r y u p d at e
madagascar
Ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new primary school at Antsakoamasy. phoTo crediT: chriSTiNA cASTellANo
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 25 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
Film rAiSeS AwAreNeSS
oF rAdiATed TorToiSe
In 2011, the TSA, The Orianne Society, MNP,
and MOZ Images, a South African film company,
joined forces to document the battle to save Mad-
agascar's Radiated Tortoise. Tortoises in Trouble
is a nine-minute film highlighting the social and
political barriers to tortoise conservation, and
it emphasizes the key roles communities can
play to ensure survival. The film targets three
audiences: local tribes who can offer the species
protection, regional city dwellers who drive the
collection of tortoise meat, and government of-
ficials responsible for poacher apprehension and
prosecution. Tortoises in Trouble is just one ele-
ment of the TSA's far-reaching public awareness
campaign to tear down barriers to conservation
in Madagascar.
The film tracks a group of 140 confiscated
Radiated Tortoises as they move from the
capital city of Antananarivo to be repatriated
in their southern homeland, a protected forest
near the village of Ampotoka. Interviews with
stakeholders everyday citizens, community
leaders, resource managers, poachers, law
enforcement agents, and conservationists
offer varied perspectives on the crisis, and
identify barriers to action. Tortoises in Trouble
has already been shown on movie nights in
nine villages. Hundreds of people have come
to watch the film, and thousands of armbands
and stickers have been passed out proclaim-
ing the message: "Protect the Sokake!" (the local
name for the Radiated Tortoise). Hundreds of
posters with similar messages have also been
distributed. Visit the TSA video library to view
Tortoises in Trouble at http://turtlesurvival.org/
resources/video-library.
The worST TorToiSe mASSAcre oN record
In October 2011, more than 100 men, women
and children from the Antanosy tribe walked
more than 100 kilometers from their homes in
Lazarivo and Fotadrevo in southern Madagas-
car to Tragnovaho, a Tandroy community, to
illegally collect Radiated Tortoises for their meat.
The Tandroy people, in contrast to the Antanosy
tribe, believe that harming tortoises is taboo,
and have lived in harmony with the species for
centuries. Sadly this intact tortoise population
was targeted by poachers.
The Antanosy quickly set up a forest base
camp where they massacred nearly 2,000
tortoises. Two Tandroy villagers reported this
illegal activity to the mayor of Tragnovaho to
get it stopped, while others unfortunately aided
This illegal shipment of Spider Tortoises revealed a new smuggling technique not seen before in Madagascar: each
tortoise was individually wrapped in cellophane to prevent movement. Fortunately holes were cut to allow for breathing;
unfortunately two female tortoises died trying to push out eggs against the plastic. phoTo crediT: herilAlA rANdriAmAhAzo
Part of the remains of the largest tortoise massacre ever reported in Madagascar, where nearly 2000 Radiated Tortoises
were slaughtered for meat near Tragnavaho.
august 2012 26 turtle survival
the poachers in exchange for money. Ultimately,
the national police and forestry agents arrived to
support Tragnovaho's mayor and the villagers.
The raid on the poacher camp was financially
supported by the TSA and the World Wild-
life Fund. Law enforcement agents found the
remains of 2,000 tortoises, but discovered more
than 200 live individuals. Six poachers were ap-
prehended, but the rest vanished into the forest.
The poachers were jailed in Ampanihy, but were
not forced to pay the fine for killing tortoises.
However, the TSA, MNP, and national police
aided the mayor in implementing the traditional
punishment on the community for assisting the
poachers. Consequently, one zebu was offered to
clean the land, two goats were given to the mayor
because he upheld his duties, and 20,000 Ariary
(US $10) was given as reward to each of the two
informants who reported the poachers.
In February, the TSA responded to the
incident by helping to establish a Tortoise
Conservation Committee for the Androy Region.
Committee members include the Ministry of
Environment and Forests, Directorate General
of Forests, Regional Directorate of Environ-
ment and Forests, Madagascar National Parks,
and non-governmental organizations Alliance
Voahary Gasy and the TSA. It is charged with
enforcing traditional laws, eradicating consump-
tion, and eliminating the tortoise trafficking
network in the region.
TorToiSe TrAFFickiNg coNTiNueS
In March, two boxes containing 139 Spider
Tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides) were confiscated
in Antsirabe from a passenger bus traveling
between Tulear and Antananarivo. The authori-
ties couldn't accept the seized animals due to
a lack of resources, but TSA Madagascar was
alerted and took custody of the animals. The
contraband tortoises were almost certainly
bound for international pet markets. Three
Malagasy smugglers based in Antananarivo
were arrested and the police identified another
from Tulear. According to passenger records,
one of the smugglers had travelled the same
route three times since the year's start.
In April, 19 Radiated Tortoises were con-
fiscated at a house in Antananarivo. Officials
authorized the TSA to hold them temporarily
before transferring them to the Village des Tor-
tues in Ifaty, where a permanent enclosure for
confiscated tortoises exists. The tortoises will be
released into the wild later this year as part of the
TSA's reintroduction program.
reiNTroducTioN STrATegy For
eSTABliShiNg TorToiSe populATioNS
Madagascar law enforcement officials
confiscate hundreds of live Radiated Tortoises
annually. Unfortunately, there is currently
no place to house them, or little expertise to
Participants in the second WWF sponsored tortoise husbandry workshop held at the Village des Tortues at Ifaty.
phoTo crediT: rick hudSoN
Christina Castellano and Herilala Randriamahazo demonstrate shell notching techniques to workshop participants in
the new school at Antsakoamasy. phoTo crediT: rick hudSoN
Thousands of stickers were handed out and proudly dis-
played around town. This one was placed on a candy jar
in a local shop in Beloha. phoTo crediT: chriSTiNA cASTellANo
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 27 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
care for them, and the tortoises often perish
under poor conditions. If rehabilitated, these
individuals could play a very important role
in securing the future of the species. Conse-
quently, the TSA is developing a reintroduction
strategy to return rehabilitated tortoises to the
wild to re-establish locally extinct populations
and bolster populations severely depleted by
illegal collection.
The reintroduction plan includes the develop-
ment of temporary housing facilities at law en-
forcement centers to triage confiscated tortoises,
a regional rescue facility for long-term care and
rehabilitation, and a research program to identify
the most effective practices and best protected
locations for tortoise release and population
establishment.
Also this year, the TSA is supporting Soary
Randrianjafizanaka, a Ph.D. candidate at the
University of Toliara in Madagascar. Soary will
investigate survival rates of confiscated tortoises
released at two locations, and evaluate release
strategies by comparing hard and soft release
techniques and duration of penning on site fidel-
ity. The knowledge gained will help formulate
standardized reintroduction guidelines for the
Radiated Tortoise and assist local authorities in
developing regional conservation plans.
your SupporT mAkeS ThiS poSSiBle
We sincerely appreciate the Andrew Sabin
Family Foundation, the Erwin-Warth-Stuftung fr
Flora, Fauna, Umwelt, Radiated Tortoise Species
Survival Plan, Tom Motlow, and Ross Popenoe for
supporting the production of Tortoises in Trouble.
We also thank Chris Scarffe and Aaron Gekoski
of MOZ Images for creating the film, and Liz Ball,
Kate Freund, Charles Huang, Zegeye Kibret, and
Taldi Walter from the Emerging Wildlife Con-
servation Leaders program for spearheading the
public awareness campaign. We thank the Turtle
Conservation Fund for supporting the creation of
education materials, and Drew Harkey and Mike
Jackson for designing campaign posters. We ap-
preciate Mr. Tahina Randriamanantsoa for safely
transporting the confiscated tortoises to Ifaty. We
also thank the World Wildlife Fund for supporting
the husbandry workshops, Michael Ogle, Robert
Blome and the Knoxville Zoo for the husbandry
manual and education materials for the new
school. We gratefully acknowledge Andriahery
Randriamalaza, Riana Rakotondrainy, Sylvain Ma-
hazotahy, and Soary Randrianjafizanaka for their
dedication and support in the field.
Herilala Randriamahazo, Herilala@turtlesurvival.org
Rick Hudson, rhudson@fortworthzoo.org
Christina Castellano, woodturtle@gmail.com
meet the Staff:
Sylvain mahazotahy
Rick Hudson
Sylvain Mahazotahy is a Malagasy con-
servation biologist whose main professional
interests are plant conservation particu-
larly the spiny forest and community-
based conservation. He has a Master's
Degree in Plant Ecology from the University
of Toliara, and is a native speaker of the
Tandroy dialect, the predominant spoken
language in southern Madagascar where
TSA is currently working to save threatened
tortoises. His intimate understanding of
Tandroy culture has made him a key player
in the TSA conservation effort to empower
local communities through their respect for
the tortoise-related taboo known as "faly
sokake". In addition to building community
relations, Sylvain will significantly contribute
to monitoring habitat at sites where tortoise
populations are being protected and
reintroduced. In September 2011, Sylvain
guided our film team during the making of
the movie Turtles in Trouble. Since Novem-
ber 2011, he has worked as a Social Mo-
bilization Officer, a fulltime position based
in Ambovombe. There he works closely
with TSA's Madagascar Tortoise Conserva-
tion Coordinator, Herilala Randriamahazo,
effectively allowing us a fulltime presence
in the south, which is proving critical to our
success there.
TSA's "Man in the South" Sylvain Mahazotahy hands out arm bands to children in Beloha. phoTo crediT: rick hudSoN
august 2012 28 turtle survival
The Critically Endangered Madagascar Spider
Tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides) is a focal species of
TSA Madagascar's Conservation Program. It is
endemic to the dry, coastal forests of southwest
Madagascar; a biologically unique ecoregion
severely threatened by unsustainable subsistence
agricultural practices such as livestock herding,
charcoal production and arable planting (Sed-
don et al., 2000). The species appears to be very
sensitive to habitat loss (Walker et al., 2012a), so
the authors, with support from the TSA, have
assessed the degree of species vulnerability to
anthropogenic habitat loss.
Using remotely sensed data we found that
vegetation loss continues unabated in our study
area the core range of P. arachnoides in South-
west Madagascar near the coastal community of
Anakoa. Vegetation clearing for livestock corrals
there has resulted in extensive habitat disrup-
tion. Mean vegetation loss was calculated at 1.2%
year -1 between 2003 and 2009; consistent with
ecoregion-wide vegetation loss between 1990 and
2000 (Harper et al., 2007).
We monitored tortoise population density
four times over eight years (2003, 2009, 2010
and 2011), across 15 one hectare quadrants, using
a sweep search technique to find tortoises and
a mark capture recapture technique to assess
mean annual survival. Our data established that
the mean annual survival of the adult cohort
within the population was comparatively low,
at 0.823 (SE0.15) (Walker et al., 2012b). We
combined this with surrogate data for juvenile
hatchling and fecundity and developed a stage
class projection matrix to model the popula-
tion's finite growth rate, matrix sensitivities and
elasticities.
Monitoring revealed an actual mean tortoise
population decline of 10.8% between 2003 and
2011. Our projection matrix model suggested the
finite rate of growth to be l=0.986, indicative of
1.4% year-1 decline (Walker et al., 2012c) (Fig. 3)
for the duration of the existence of the popula-
tion, with adult survival as the most sensitive
parameter to overall survival of the population
typical for long lived species such as chelonians
with low fecundity. This projection modelling
suggests that the population will likely become
functionally nonviable in approximately 170
years when population drops below 0.5 tortoises
per hectare. This is a worrying prospect for the
long term survival of the species. However, be-
cause our study relied heavily on surrogate data,
more information is needed on pre-adult survival
and wild reproductive rates to improve the mod-
el's precision. Also, as in the case of most models,
these results do not allow for the accumulative
effects of habitat loss and population decline.
Our study site currently has a population
greater than the range average density. Therefore,
other less dense populations, subjected to the
added stresses of poaching, will likely become
functionally nonviable much sooner. Though
poaching for food and the pet trade in certain
regions is intense, habitat loss still seems to be
the greatest threat facing this species; the speed
Monitoring Reveals
Habitat Loss as Serious
Long Term Threat to
Madagascar Spider Tortoise
r a n g e c o u n t r y u p d at e
madagascar
Spider Tortoises typically forage on small, herbaceous, ground-level plants, however the species appears to require
some canopy cover in its dry forest habitat. Photo Credit: ryan Walker
Ryan C.J. Walker and Tsilavo H. R afeliarisoa
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 29 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
of forest removal makes this the most threatened
ecosystem in Madagascar (Harper et al., 2007).
Well-coordinated development programs and
better protected area management are required
to address the poverty induced drivers forcing
this species closer to extinction. Community em-
powerment is at the core of the TSA's Madagas-
car program and it needs to be both strengthened
and extended over a larger geographical range to
aid the conservation of this species. Pyxis arach-
noides is currently at a cross roads in terms of its
long term survival, whereby workable conserva-
tion strategies must be strengthened to allow for
the continued existence of viable populations
within its coastal southwest Madagascar range.
aCknoWledgments
This work was financially supported by: the
EAZA/Shell Shock Turtle Conservation Fund,
Turtle Survival Alliance, Royal Geographical
Society, British Chelonia Group, Mohamed Bin
Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Leicester
Tortoise Society, Chelonian Research Foundation
and Open University Access to Learning Fund.
Logistical support and assistance with field work
was provided by Inge Smith, Andy Woods-Bal-
lard, Charley Rix, Mike Cummings, Matt Perkins,
Riana Rakotondrainy, Eddie Louis, Jean Caude
Rakotoniaina, Athanase Maminirina, Gervais
Sylvestre Rakotoarivelo, and the Madagascar
Biodiversity Partnership. The GeoEye Foundation
supplied high resolution remotely sensed IKONOS
2 imagery as a part of a GIS data grant.
Ryan C.J. Walker, Department of Environment, Earth
and Ecosystems, The Open University, Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA, United Kingdom, ryan@nautilusecology.org
Tsilavo H. Rafeliarisoa, Dpartement de Biologie Ani-
male, Universit d'Antananarivo, BP 906, Antananarivo
101, Madagascar; Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership,
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Grewcock's Center for
Conservation and Research, 3701 South 10th Street,
Omaha, NE 68107, USA
The carapace pattern of Spider Tortoises can vary
greatly. However, this photograph shows a particularly
handsome specimen. Photo Credit: ryan Walker
Satellite view of the twenty-two 1 hectare monitoring
sites in a 38 square kilometer forest block near Anakao.
Cleared vegetation patches can be clearly seen, as can
circular livestock corrals. Photo Credit: ikonos remotely
sensed imagery, 2009.
referenCes
Harper, G., Steininger, M., Tucker, C., Juhn, D. & Hawkins, F. (2007) Fifty years of deforestation and forest fragmentation in Madagascar. Environmental
Conservation, 34, 325333.
Seddon, N., Tobias, J., Yount, J.W., Ramanampamonjy, J.R., Butchart, S & Randrianizahana, H. (2000) Conservation issues and priorities in the Mikea
Forest of South-west Madagascar. Oryx, 34, 287304.
Walker, R.C.J., Luiselli, L., Woods-Ballard, A.J. & Rix, C.E. (2012a) Microhabitat use by the Critically Endangered Madagascar endemic tortoise, Pyxis
arachnoides. Herpetological Journal, 22, 63-66.
Walker, R.C.J., Luiselli, L. & Rafeliarisoa, T.H. (2012b) Survival probability of a population of spider tortoises (Pyxis arachnoides). Amphibia Reptilia, 33,
141-144.
Walker. R.C.J., Whitmore, N., Rafeliarisoa, T.H. and Hamylton, S. (2012c) The effects of habitat deterioration on the long term survival of the Critically
Endangered Madagascar spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides). Biological Conservation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2012.03.035
The spiny forests of coastal southwest Madagascar are increasingly being denuded by small-scale charcoal produc-
tion as seen here. These primitive methods consume large areas of vegetation with comparatively little charcoal
produced. Photo Credit: ryan Walker.
august 2012 30 turtle survival
"Project Batagur baska" was initiated with a
lofty but daunting goal: to save one of the rarest
vertebrate species in the world, the Northern
River Terrapin. This species in dire need of
conservation action, both in and ex situ is be-
ginning to see a remarkable turnaround thanks
to an international collaboration between the
TSA, Zoo Vienna, CARINAM Bangladesh and
the Bangladesh Forest Department. The project
has also benefitted tremendously from the en-
dorsement and support of the prestigious World
Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
In 2012, our captive breeding programs
in both Bangladesh and in India, achieved an
extraordinary milestone: the first successful cap-
tive breeding of Batagur baska. In June, a grand
total of 50 healthy Batagur baska were hatched,
25 in Bangladesh, and 25 in India.
Ranked among the World's Top 25 Most
Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
in 2011, B. baska is believed to be functionally ex-
tinct throughout their former range. Fortunately
this river terrapin, also known as the Sundarbans
Batagur, is a hearty turtle and a few captive
specimens survived in private ponds, remnants
of days when the species was abundant.
In Bangladesh, surveys throughout fishing
and fish breeding communities resulted in a
slowly, but consistently rising number of known
captive specimens. This led to our launch of a
captive breeding program at Bhawal National
Park near Dhaka. In the last two years, 14 male
and five female B. baska were acquired there.
(The disproportionate number of males being
located is because they rarely leave the water,
while gravid females must emerge to nest and be-
come vulnerable. Also, the fattier meat of females
is more highly prized).
The Bangladesh Forest Department pro-
vided two ponds at Bhawal for managing the
turtles. The bigger pond was used to hold a
group of males, while the smaller pond was
modified as a breeding facility for a small breed-
ing group. During the winter months of 2011-12,
we enlarged and improved the artificial nesting
beach in the breeding pond and renovated the
run-down hatchery. An animal keeper from the
local community and a custodian were hired to
staff the facility fulltime.
Three male terrapins were placed with the
five females in the breeding pond. An established
feeding protocol was strictly followed, with all
specimens given water hyacinth, watercress, Al-
locasia sp., shrimp and fish six times per week.
Remarkably all five females nested and used
the artificial sand beach, even though two of the
females were acquired only a very short time
before the breeding season, and given that long-
term captives generally suffer from malnutrition.
Females started to leave the water in the
second week of March, and the first nest was
laid on 22 March, the last on 15 April 2012. One
nest was deposited too close to the water and
was relocated. We split that nest consisting of
15 eggs with eight eggs moved to a higher spot
in the nesting area, and seven eggs transferred
to the hatchery. All nests were protected with a
metal cage to guard against predation by monitor
lizards, mongooses and monkeys.
On 7 June, the first hatchling emerged after
64 days of incubation. The clutches consisted of
a minimum of eleven eggs and a maximum of 26
eggs. In total the five females laid 92 eggs, with
27 hatchlings emerging from four nests; two
hatchlings died a short time after hatching. The
incubation period lasted 59 to 77 days. The hatch-
lings are being kept strictly separated according
to their nest numbers and are being reared in the
renovated hatchery.
In India, the Northern River Terrapin is be-
ing kept in two different locations. Two females
were collected in the 1980's from the Howra
Market in Kolkata and have been maintained at
the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) ever
since. All attempts failed to successfully shift
males to MCBT from the Sundarbans Tiger Re-
First Northern River
Terrapin Breeding
Successes Achieved in
Bangladesh and India
Peter Pr aschag, Rupali Ghosh, AGJ Morshed and SMA R ashid
Northern River Terrapin hatchlings in the hatchery. Photo Credit: ruPali Ghosh.
r a n g e c o u n t r y u p d at e s
bangladesh
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 31 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
serve visitor center in Sanjekhali, West Bengal.
As a result, a male will be sent from the Vienna
Zoo to round out this small breeding group.
Last year we were informed of the death of all
three females at the Sanjekhali visitor center. But
fortunately that report proved false. A small TSA
India team visiting the center this spring found
that all the females were alive and, in fact, gravid.
The team caught 6.3.1 specimens.
The three females were transferred first to
a rearing facility for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles
(Lepidochelys olivacea) and later to a rearing fa-
cility for crocodiles, where the staff established
a small nesting area. After numerous nesting
attempts, some eggs were dropped into the wa-
ter and spoiled. At the end of May, the females
were put back into the holding pond. Then on
the night of 12 June the staff made a startling
discovery: they found Batagur baska hatchlings
swimming in the water of the crocodile facil-
ity. Over the next two days the pool yielded 23
hatchlings; another two emerged from a nest.
Whether the 25 hatchlings originated from
multiple females is unknown.
Although the nests in Bangladesh and India
were established in different calendar weeks, and
incubation periods varied, almost all hatchlings
in both countries emerged in the same general
time period in early June.
With 50 living hatchlings now bred in captiv-
ity, we have successfully completed Phase One of
"Project Batagur baska". However, to assure the
long-term survival of the species we must now
shift the emphasis of the program to more so-
phisticated breeding and conservation measures.
We now know from experience that verte-
brate species with very small effective popula-
tion sizes (reproducing specimens) of even less
than ten females can recover providing that
independent breeding lines are established and
managed according to studbook guidelines, and
if the population rapidly expands. Therefore it is
crucial to conduct genetic microsatellite studies
to look into the status of the species as a basis for
creating Batagur baska breeding lines and to de-
termine the parental origin of the 50 hatchlings
in India and Bangladesh.
To keep those designated breeding lines sepa-
rate, we will need to establish several smaller
ponds with nesting beaches and fencing at the
sites in Bangladesh and India. We must also de-
cide whether we are going to expand the existing
facility at Bhawal National Park or whether it is
more reasonable to shift the effort to southern
Bangladesh, closer to the species' natural dis-
tribution. We placed data loggers at the national
This year's breeding success can, in large part, be attributed to AGJ Morshed who dedicated himself to oversight of
the breeding center and effectively communicated with team members in Austria and the U.S. during the nesting and
hatching process. Photo Credit: sMa rashid
The five nests on the nesting beach, before they were doubly protected with an additional stabile cage. Photo Credit:
Peter PrasChaG.
august 2012 32 turtle survival
park and in the Sundarbans, both historic distri-
bution locations, to compare nesting temperature
regimes. It is important to get a sense of nest
temperature profiles in both areas for compari-
son, to help select incubation temperatures for
future years. We will also need to sex hatchlings
via endoscopy before the next breeding season
so that we can make adjustments and avoid the
production of one sex, particularly males.
With a total of 50 hatchlings in Bangladesh
and India, 2012 was an incredibly successful
year for "Project Batagur baska." We could
not have asked for a better start. However,
we cannot rest on our laurels, as we now face
the immediate challenges of transitioning the
breeding programs to a scientifically based
pedigree operation.
aCKNoWledGMeNts
This program has achieved amazing triumphs
in a very short time, which is a reflection of both the
urgent need for conservation, coupled with a gener-
ous and caring donor community. We gratefully
acknowledge the following for their previous and
ongoing support: Patricia Koval/WWF Canada,
Fagus Foundation, Columbus Zoo, Toronto Zoo,
AAZK - Henry Doorly Zoo, Wade Foundation
through the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Natural
Encounters Conservation Fund, San Diego Zoo, To-
ronto Zoo, Cassidy Johnson and Walter Sedgwick.
Peter Praschag Am Katzelbach 98, 8054 Graz, Austria,
peter@praschag.at
Rupali Ghosh, Shant kamal Kunj, 1, Shakti Colony, Ra-
jkot, Gujarat 360001, India, rupalighosh22@gmail.com
(From left to right) Peter Praschag, Rupali Ghosh, Anton Weissenbacher, and SMA Rashid examine the breeding group of B. baska at Bhawal National Park. Photo Credit: Peter PrasChaG.
From left to right, Peter Praschag, SMA Rashid, and
Rupali Ghosh monitor nest temperatures using a remote
sensing thermometer. Photo Credit: aGJ Morshed
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 33 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
To say simply that India is a land of contrasts fails
to fully capture the underlying social and envi-
ronmental complexities, both inextricably linked,
that lie within its borders. Rivers of clear water
run through stark deserts and muddy backwaters
lap against vast lush mangrove forests. Lands that
appear harshly unsuitable for humans are some
of the most densely populated areas on the planet,
yet there remain large tracks of virgin forests and
pristine mountains. Not surprisingly throughout
this vast mosaic of habitats and human settlements,
one of the world's greatest diversity of chelonians
struggle to survive the pressures of habitat degra-
dation and the perils of hunting associated with the
burgeoning international wildlife trade.
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) has - for
the past seven years - actively and strategically
sought to reverse these trends for India's most
imperiled freshwater turtles and tortoises in five
priority areas (see TSA 2011 magazine). With an
ambitious five-year plan, TSA in now poised to
embark on actions that we hope will demonstrate
positive population growth of five flagship chelo-
nian species within these priority areas.
Chambal and Upper GanGes-YamUna
reGion, north-Central india tUrtle
prioritY area:
We exceeded our 2011 nest protection records
for the Red Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur ka-
TSA India Turtle Conservation
Program Implements National
Turtle Priority Recommendations
Shailendra Singh, Shashwat Sirsi, Ashutosh Tripathi,
Linthoi Naorem, Rupali Ghosh, RK Sharma, Pradeep Saxena,
and Brian D. Horne. With inputs from: Habibullah Quiser,
Bijoy Kumar Das, Supraja Dharini, Sanjay Sharma,
Gowri Mallapur, Suresh Pal Singh and Bhaskar M. Dixit
r a n g e c o u n t r y u p d at e
india
Hatchlings (Batagur kachuga and Batagur dhongoka) being released into the Chambal River from the riverside hatcheries. photo Credit: ashUtosh tripahti
august 2012 34 turtle survival
individuals and habitat, and charting a course for
conservation through community support.
We were also able to protect 174 nests (3,182
eggs) of B. kachuga, and 329 nests (7,657 eggs)
of B. dhongoka, along the middle and lower
Chambal River. Hatching success exceeded 90%,
and over 9,000 hatchlings were released into
the Chambal River. We retained a total of 100 B.
kachuga hatchings for headstarting at the Deori
Eco-Center and at the Garhaita facilities (see
previous years' articles).
Our next goal is to begin trial releases of
headstarted turtles and see how they disperse
and survive the monsoon season when the
Chambal River is in flood. So in December 2011,
we test fitted five juvenile B. kachuga with sonic
transmitters and retained them in captivity
to monitor their behavior. None of the turtles
demonstrated any ill effects from the transmitter
attachment. Therefore, we have approached the
Madhya Pradesh Forest Department for permis-
sion to initiate a three-year telemetry study on 25
head-started turtles in the middle section of the
Chambal River.
We are currently raising over 350 B. kachuga
juveniles at the Garhaita headstarting facil-
ity, while developing plans to create additional
populations of this critically endangered river
turtle outside the Chambal National River Sanc-
tuary. Potential release sites would be in areas
documented within the species' former range.
To aid in this project, we funded the local NGO
Enviro-Aid to conduct a population and habitat
viability assessment on the Ken, Betwa, and
Son rivers in Central India. We are now work-
ing on a pilot plan to reintroduce 50 sub-adult
headstarted B. kachuga into protected stretches
of these rivers. By developing additional popula-
tions we hope to safeguard the species from
local catastrophic declines.
This year we have been able to make improve-
chuga), the Three Striped Roofed Turtle (Batagur
dhongoka), and the Indian Narrow-Headed
Softshell Turtle (Chitra indica).
Although we were only able to protect a few
nests of C. indica (4) these nests had an incred-
ible number (586) of eggs. We located the nests
along the middle Chambal River (3) and another
on the Son River. An in-situ hatchery was used
to monitor nests from the Chambal River, while
the nest from the Son River was transferred to
the Deori Eco Center for incubation. Hatchlings
emerged from all nests with a 92.5 % success
rate. However, the group of hatchlings at the
Deori Eco-Center suffered high mortality before
being released. In September, a boat survey on
the upper Ganges River, from Farrukhabad to
Kanpur, identified suitable C. indica nesting sites
based on observations and conversations with
local fishermen. This survey is a first step toward
protecting additional nests, assessing threats to
Large confiscations of live turtles, such as this truckload of softshell turtles, are particularly challenging for authorities
to properly handle. There are no adequate facilities or qualified staff to triage a shipment of this magnitude, which often
leads to animals being released into unsuitable habitats at inappropiate times of the year. photo Credit: naveed dadan
A recently hatched Northern River Terrapin (Batagur
baska) at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.
photo Credit: JaYanta basU.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 35 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
ments to both the Garhaita facility itself and our
captive husbandry techniques. These include
better protein and calcium supply to the turtles,
improved water quality monitoring, more ef-
ficient biological filtration, and a solar powered
water heater to help keep the pools warm during
the winter. Also during the cooler periods of the
year, the pools are now being covered with clear,
thick plastic tarpaulins. This greenhouse effect
has resulted in an increased overall winter water
temperature that has reduced the winter mortal-
ity in B. kachuga juveniles to 5.6%.
A grant from Disney Worldwide Conserva-
tion Fund in 2010 enabled us to equip the John
Thorbjarnarson Memorial Chambal Conserva-
tion Centre with solar panels, new furniture, and
educational aids. Furthermore, we expanded our
educational outreach program to include a total
of 75 schools and 75 villages.
We conducted 28 educational events, involv-
ing 3,100 children from the Chambal and another
39 community outreach programs that reached
over 3,000 adult participants. We also conducted
eight poaching prevention workshops. Two
hundred former poachers attended and we were
able to convince 80% to halt capturing turtles.
To address capacity building within the state
forest department we held two training courses
on turtle identification to 82 members of the
frontline forest department staff.
A pilot alternative sustainable livelihood
program, designed to educate riverside farmers,
sand collectors, fishermen, and other residents
meet the staff:
shashwat sirsi
Shailendra Singh
Shashwat Sirsi or "Shash" has been
associated with TSA India since 2005 as a
volunteer. He was instrumental in compil-
ing inventories of north Indian chelonian
fauna. Later he earned an MS degree in
Wildlife Ecology from the University of Kent,
U.K. In 2010, he received a TSA seed grant
for the south Indian softshell turtle status
surveys. In 2011, Shash was hired by TSA
as a fulltime biologist to lead TSA's efforts
in the South Indian Turtle Priority Area and
to intensify surveys on endangered softshell
turtles. Throughout his tenure with TSA,
Shash has proved to be a dedicated, hard-
working and keen biologist, brimming with
new ideas. Given his long, capable associa-
tion with TSA India, Shash has recently been
appointed Assistant Director for the India
Turtle Conservation Program, where he will
assist Shai in leading program development.
Besides turtling, Shash's hobbies include
trekking, swimming and poetry.
TSA India biologist Shashwat Sirsi holding an
adult Leith's Softshell turtle along the Kali River.
photo Credit: JUstin tUiJl
of five riparian villages, was launched as a col-
laboration between the Gharial Conservation Al-
liance and Development Alternatives (DA). TSA/
DA workshops were conducted to help villagers
adopt benign livelihoods, such as rope-mat and
artificial jewelry making.
sUnderbans and orissa reGion, eastern
india tUrtle prioritY area:
March is a significant time for the critically
endangered Northern River Terrapin (Batagur
baska). This year, we surveyed the tidal creeks
and historic nesting beaches around Bolkhali,
Jambodeep, Pachmai, Frazerganj, and Henry Is-
land in the hopes of locating any remaining wild
reproductive adults. After interviewing more
than 90 fishermen/fish contractors we received
important information about potential nesting
areas for both B. baska and Cantor's Giant Softs-
hell Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii).
Although the fate of remaining wild B. baska
remains unknown, some encouraging develop-
ments have occurred with the last captive breed-
ing population within India. The Sajnekhali In-
terpretation Centre of the Sunderban Tiger (and
Biosphere) Reserve, operated by the West Bengal
Forest Department, houses 7 male, 3 female, and
a juvenile B. baska. Despite having lived here in
captivity for well over two decades, this group
had never reproduced successfully, owing largely
to deficiencies in facility design. Under TSA's
guidance, a new nesting area was created in 2012.
Incredibly this resulted in two nests being laid
This massive Narrow-headed Softshell, Chitra indica, was captured by fishermen in the state of Karnataka and
weighed 130 Kg. photo Credit: bhC mUrthY/Zsi
august 2012 36 turtle survival
that resulted in 25 hatchlings. Along with the 25
B. baska hatchlings produced this season at the
facility in the Bhawal National Park in Bangla-
desh (see related Bangladesh article, pages 30-32,
this volume) this species has made great strides
toward recovery.
Currently all the B. baska hatchlings at the
Sajnekhali facility are in good health. TSA India
will continue to advise and offer assistance
to the West Bengal Forest Department on the
turtles' husbandry and management. Encour-
aged by this successful breeding event, the Forest
Department invited TSA India to help develop a
comprehensive plan for the captive breeding and
conservation of the species.
Western Ghats and peninsUlar reGion,
soUth india tUrtle prioritY area:
Our South India project assessed the status
of three endangered soft-shell turtles: Leith's
Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia leithii), Cantor's Giant
Softshell Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), and the
Indian Narrow-headed Turtle (Chitra indica).
Our surveys located a few P. cantorii in captivity
and a few individuals at three sites on the River
Netravathi in the state of Karnataka. New records
for C. indica were obtained from the Krishna and
Tungabhadra rivers, including a behemoth weigh-
ing in at a 130 kg and measuring 160 cm in length!
Our biologists located two males and three
female N. leithii on the Kali and Cauvery rivers.
This is a vital find as populations continue to be
decimated by commercial calipee (cartilage from
the carapace) trade in northern Karnataka. Our
plan is not only to reduce adult mortality by de-
creasing hunting rates, but to also conduct in situ
nest protection, as well as develop captive assur-
ance colonies. Future projects aim to supplement
depleted turtle populations and help guide local
villagers toward viable, alternative livelihoods.
TSA offered financial and technical support
to the TREE Foundation (Trust for Environment,
Education, Conservation & Community Develop-
ment) for turtle surveys in the Nellore district of
Andhra Pradesh. The project assessed the status
and distribution of P. cantorii in a coastal area
of Nellore through surveys of tidal creeks and
upstream riverine sites, and through collection
of secondary information from villages. Findings
will help initiate a community conservation effort
for freshwater turtles in association with the
TREE Foundation's ongoing sea turtle conserva-
tion effort. Awareness building activities were also
conducted under this initiative, and a plan calls for
the sampling of local wetlands late in 2012.
AssAm regIon, norTheAsTern IndIA TurTle
PrIorITy AreA:
The Brahmaputra floodplain in Assam is a
major turtle diversity hotspot, with 21 non-marine
chelonians. Thus TSA, in association with Aa-
ranayak, a regional NGO, held a Northeastern In-
dia turtle conservation planning meeting in June
2012 to review current knowledge, identify key
species and populations in need of immediate con-
servation, and determine partner activities. Fifty
participants attended, including regional NGOs,
wildlife experts, academicians, researchers, gov-
ernment officials, and representatives of temple
pond committees. Ten species were identified in
immediate need of conservation, including the
Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans), the
Indian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle (Chitra
indica), the Assam Roofed Turtle (Pangshura syl-
A brilliantly colored Leith's Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia leithii) encountered in the state of Karnataka. photo Credit:
shashWat sirsi
A group of basking Assam Roofed Turtles (Pangshura
sylhetensis), in northern West Bengal; this is the flagship
species for the Northeastern India priority region. photo
Credit: tonmoY Ghosh
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 37 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
hetensis), the Keeled Box Turtle (Cuora mouhotii),
the Asian Mountain Tortoise (Manouria emys),
and the Yellow Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata).
On the basis of decisions made at this meet-
ing, the TSA launched a three year project for
enrichment of temple ponds holding captive
colonies of N. nigricans. This project is a collaboration
between Aaranyak, the Turtle Conservation and
Research Project of the Zoology Department
at Guwahati University as well as local temple
leaders. We aim to monitor nesting activity and
survivorship within these ponds, and hope to
formulate/implement a long term strategy for the
conservation of N. nigricans not only within the
local temples but also in the wild.
tarai, Foothills oF the himalaYan reGion,
northern india tUrtle prioritY area:
For the past four years, we have worked
regionally through community-based conserva-
tion initiatives to safeguard populations of the
Crowned River Turtle (Hardella thurjii), the
Indian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle (Chitra
indica), the Spotted Pond Turtle (Geochle-
mys hamiltonii), the Peacock Softshell Turtle
(Nillsonia hurum), and the Indian Eyed Turtle
(Morenia petersii). We focused on stakeholders
and engaging local communities in conservation
incentives such as poacher conversion workshops
and education events.
This year we initiated "River Clubs", a school
education program for children at 50 schools
along the Ghaghra River, informing them about
threatened river vertebrates. A teachers' train-
ing program taught environmental education,
conservation curricula and methodologies. The
project was funded under the Dolphin Conser-
vation Education Initiative of the Ministry of
Environment and Forests through the Centre for
Environment Education-North.
Despite community outreach efforts, turtle
poachers sporadically raided project sites and
even once dared to poach at our temporary tran-
sit turtle rescue facility in Gonda District, which
houses Ganges Softshells (Nilssonia gangetica).
Fortunately, a strong network of cooperative
villagers alerted us and enabled us to prevent any
poaching from occurring.
FUtUre initiatives:
Although we are making headway toward con-
servation of India's turtles, we continue to witness
widespread poaching, increases in live animals
being traded, and lack of proper quarantine and/or
reintroduction protocols when releasing confiscat-
ed turtles. To curb this crisis, we need to increase
the number of trained personnel and build better
infrastructure to house confiscated live animals,
as well as build a stronger collaboration with gov-
ernment enforcement agencies and key national/
regional partners to help curb illegal hunting.
Although a "one size fits all" solution is inap-
propriate for India, our observations of habitat
loss and exploitation patterns over many years are
helping us to devise and implement both standard-
ized and specialized response strategies, that ad-
dress key threats and conservation opportunities
in a phased, systematic, and measurable manner.
As we prepare ourselves for the next field
season, we will continue dedicating ourselves to
TSA's global mission of "Zero Turtle Extinctions
in the 21st Century."
Our top five goals for next year include:
1. Collaborate with TRAFFIC India to devel-
op a comprehensive plan to control turtle trade,
confiscation of live animals, post-confiscation
a home for tsa india?
A major TSA India goal is to find a central home for Indian turtle conservation. Such a home
base recently became a possibility when we were offered the chance to co-manage the Kukrail
Gharial and Turtle Rehabilitation Center near Lucknow, in association with the Uttar Pradesh
Forest Department. This facility was established to recover the critically endangered Gharial
(Gavialis gangeticus), and has served as a breeding site for threatened north Indian turtles.
From 1987 to 1993, it headstarted over 18,000 Indian Soft-shell Turtles (Nilssonia gangetica).
Currently the facility houses over 165 turtles from eleven north India species.
The facility is ideal for TSA India purposes. It includes at least 12 unused crocodile/turtle
nursery and rearing pools, isolation and quarantine enclosures, an education center and a
research lab. Our goal would be to refurbish these facilities to manage assurance colonies
of threatened freshwater turtles, and to handle the increasing number of largescale turtle
confiscations. The ultimate goal is to link this facility with other turtle/reptile rehabilitation
centers in the state and throughout India, and to transform the center into a regional hub for
river reptile conservation.
The decision on whether we will be allowed to co-manage the Kukrail Gharial Center is
pending, with a final determination to come from the Uttar Pradesh State Forest Depart-
ment. In anticipation of a favorable ruling, we are actively raising revenue to establish this
new home for TSA India.
The Kukrail Gharial Center has numerous unused crocodile rearing and breeding pools that can be refurbished to
support breeding groups of turtles. photo Credit: shailendra sinGh
august 2012 38 turtle survival
care, and repatriation protocols.
2. Renovate and/or create new facilities includ-
ing the Kukrail Gharial Center in the five turtle
priority areas to hold confiscated turtles as well as
captive assurance colonies for Batagur kachuga,
Chitra indica, Nilsonia leithii and Manouria emys.
3. Develop a mobile veterinary unit to assist
forest department and other enforcement agencies
with the increasing number of turtle confiscations.
4. Survey temple ponds and historic locales
for Batagur baska (historical nesting sites), Nilso-
nia leithii, Pelochelys cantorii, Manouria emys, and
Pangshura sylhetensis.
5. Post-release monitoring of head-started
Batagur kachuga via sonic telemetry.
aCknoWledGments
TSA India is grateful to all partners, collabora-
tors, officers of the forest department, sponsors,
volunteers, advisors and staff for their continued
support as we enter our tenth year! We thank the
Ministry of Environment and Forests for approv-
als and funding of the Eco-toxicology project and
Gangetic Dolphin Conservation Education initia-
tive. We also thank the Forest Departments of
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, West
Bengal and Assam and their officers especially Dr.
Rupak De, IFS; PK Shukla, IFS; Suhas Kumar, IFS;
Dipak Sarmah, IFS; A.K. Verma, IFS; C.R. Raju,
IFS; Puneet Pathak, IFS; A.K. Singh, IFS; Ashok
Basarkod, IFS; MV. Reddy, IFS; Mr. Vijaykumar,
IFS; Manjunath Chavan, IFS; Suresh Chand, IFS;
SB Mandal, IFS, Pradeep Vyas, IFS; RK Sinha,
IFS; PK Pandit, IFS; KK Jha, IFS; Eva Sharma,
IFS; Dr. Prabhakar Dubey, IFS; Sujoy Banerjii, IFS;
RS Sikarwar, IFS; Dr. BC Brahma, IFS; RS Sikar-
war, IFS; Anjan Guha, SC Bhadauria, Mr. Yash-
want, Jayanta Basu, and Mahaveer Prasad. Neeraj
Kumar, IFS is thanked for his valuable advice.
We thank Romulus Whitaker, Colin Ste-
venson, and Dr. Ravi Chellam of the Madras
Crocodile Bank Trust for their guidance. Prof.
BC Choudhury provided useful insights in
several conservation projects. Others deserving
special thanks are Sheena Koeth, Prof. Jeffery
W. Lang, Sanjay Kumar IAS, Donal Boyer, Dr.
Shannon Ferrel, Kym Gopp, Jonelle Warren, Dr.
BHC Murthy, Naveed Dadan, Dr. Sue Carstair,
Apal Singh, Nikhil Whitaker, Khalid Pasha, Dr.
Abhijit Das, Andy Leeman, Dr. Chittaranjan
Baruah, Surendra Bahadur Singh Bhadauria, Dr.
Firoz Ahmad, Neelam Dutta, Rajiv Basumatary,
Bishwajeet Baruah, Dr. Yaduraj Khadpekar and
Dr. Sharat Chandra.
We acknowledge fruitful collaborations with
the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Centre for
Environment Education (North), Development
Alternatives, Aaranayak, Chambal Telemetry
Project /Gharial Conservation Alliance, Kat-
erniaghat Foundation, Tarai Environmental
Foundation, Wildlife SOS, TRAFFIC India,
Zoological Survey of India, TCRP at Zoology
Department, Guwahati University, Temple com-
mittees of Nagshankar, Kamakhya, and Hazo
and the RIB Expedition. We also gratefully thank
the Walde Research and Environment Consult-
ing, Beneficia Foundation, Columbus Zoo, WWF
Canada, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland
Zoological Society, Mohammad Bin Zayed Species
Conservation Fund, Disney Worldwide Conserva-
tion Fund, British Chelonia Group, San Diego Zoo
Global, Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, Turtle
Conservation Fund, European Association of Zoo,
and Aquaria's Shell Shock Campaign, Sedgwick
County Zoo, Nature's Own and Wildlife Conser-
vation Society and all individual donors .
Turtle Survival Alliance- India Program, D1/316,
Sector-F, Janakipuram, Lucknow, India, 226021
(program@turtlesurvival.in, shai@turtlesurvival.org
A woman's village cooperative learns to make craft jewelry as an alternative livelihood option for the rural poor.
TSA staff winterizing the head-starting ponds within plastic sheeting to help keep turtles warm during the cold winter
nights. photo Credit: brian d. horne
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 39 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
The past year has been especially busy for the
Turtle Survival Alliance/Wildlife Conservation
Society (TSA/WCS) Team in Myanmar, as ex situ
programs delivered results, and field projects sent
the team into far-flung reaches of the country.
A major emphasis of our Myanmar work is ex
situ conservation of critically endangered species.
Foremost of these efforts are captive propagation
programs for the Burmese Star Tortoise (Geo-
chelone platynota), now thought to be "ecologi-
cally extinct" in the wild. Assurance colonies at
Lawkanandar, Shwe Settaw, and Minzontaung
wildlife sanctuaries (WS) have produced so many
offspring that each facility is nearing saturation
capacity, creating an urgent need to reintroduce
captive bred tortoises back into suitably protected
habitat. As in previous years, the 2011-12 breeding
season yielded a bumper crop of eggs, with 688 de-
posited at Lawkanandar, 328 at Minzontaung, and
at least 100 laid at Shwe Settaw. Several hundred
hatchlings have already emerged this season with
more sure to come. These young animals will join
more than 1500 star tortoises already housed in
assurance colonies.
Another exciting development looms as the
long-planned Turtle Rescue Center (TRC) moves
closer to becoming a reality. In April, a TSA/
WCS delegation consisting of Rick Hudson,
Kalyar Platt, Cris Hagen, Shailendra Singh, Bill
Holmstrom, and Me Me Soe met with govern-
ment officials and selected a site near May Myo
where construction will soon begin. The site sits
astride the road from Mandalay to Lashio, a major
conduit for illegal turtle shipments destined for
wildlife markets in southern China. Confiscations
of contraband turtles by the Myanmar Forest De-
partment have steadily increased over the years,
but no designated facility currently exists where
seized turtles can be rehabilitated. In lieu of such a
facility, confiscated turtles are sent to the Manda-
lay Zoo, which lacks space and personnel to deal
with a sudden influx of numerous turtles requir-
ing immediate and often intensive care. The TRC
will meet this acute need with specially designed
enclosures to house confiscated turtles, with
trained TSA/WCS personnel working alongside
the Forest Department to care for the animals.
Eventually rehabilitated turtles will be released to
protected areas, while endangered species will be
Turtle Conservation
Forges Ahead
in Myanmar
K alyar Platt, Steven G. Platt, Win Ko Ko, Kyaw Moe,
Khin Myo Myo, and Me Me Soe
r a n g e c o u n t r y u p d at e
myanmar
Burmese Star Tortoises adapt well to captive conditions and breed readily if provided with an adequate diet and environment. These tortoises are among the 1500 animals
currently maintained in three assurance colonies in Myanmar. Photo credit: rick hudson
august 2012 40 turtle survival
taung wildlife sanctuaries might prove suitable
as release sites for the hundreds of captive bred
G. platynota now held in assurance colonies. The
Team first journeyed to Shwe Settaw, where
wild G. platynota were last seen in the late 1990s.
Significant agricultural clearance and livestock
grazing was found in the sanctuary, and reintro-
duction was deemed a feasible, albeit difficult
undertaking fraught with challenges.
Our visit to Minzontaung was more promising
for here tortoises already receive considerable pro-
tection thanks to local Nat worshiping practices.
Nats are spirits believed to dwell in the landscape.
According to local beliefs, Nats inhabiting a large
hill in the center of the sanctuary act as tortoise
guardians. Anyone harming or even unduly dis-
turbing a tortoise runs the risk of divine retribution
in the form of sickness, misfortune, or death. Such
powerful beliefs provide an umbrella of protection
under which we hope to begin reintroducing cap-
tive bred tortoises within the next 12 months.
The New Year found the Team boarding a
riverboat and traveling up the mighty Chindwin
River, the last redoubt of the critically endan-
gered Burmese Roofed Turtle (Batagur trivit-
tata). Estimates vary, but less than 25 breeding
females are thought to remain in the wild. The
Team found life aboard the 37-meter long river-
boat comfortable, but cramped! Fortunately, the
daily routine was punctuated by frequent stops
at riverside villages to stretch our legs and query
residents about the local occurrence of these big
river turtles. Villagers along the "lower" Chind-
win painted a bleak picture of environmental
devastation, declining fish catches, and pollution
by toxic wastes from gold mining. Despites these
problems, a few B. trivittata continue to hang
on in the lower Chindwin, although nesting has
not occurred in years. Because the remaining B.
moved to captive assurance colonies.
Efforts are underway to establish assurance
colonies of Burmese Brown Tortoise (Ma-
nouria emys phayrei). Populations of M. emys
in Myanmar are gravely threatened by hunting
and large-scale forest clearance for oil palm
plantations. A group of 54 confiscated tortoises
is currently held at the Yadanabon Zoo, another
12 at Lawkanandar WS, ten at Yangon Zoo, and
four additional adults were recently obtained in
southern Myanmar after being caught in snares
set for wild pigs. Myanmar Airways agreed to
fly the tortoises to Yangon at no cost, and the
necessary paperwork to transfer them is being
processed. An enclosure is also being con-
structed at the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Reserve
in Gwa to house another breeding group of M.
emys. A small assurance colony of Arakan Forest
Turtles (Heosemys depressa), a poorly known and
critically endangered species endemic to western
Myanmar, was created several years ago at the
same facility, and although mating behavior has
frequently been observed, these turtles have yet
to reproduce. The heavily vegetated enclosure
housing the colony was tripled in size during the
past year in hopes of spurring reproduction.
Field projects occupied much time this year.
As the wet season rains slackened in early Sep-
tember, the Team headed into central Myanmar
to determine whether Shwe Settaw and Minzon-
In April a TSA/WCS Team visited Myanmar to finalize plans for a Turtle Rescue Center to be constructed in May Myo.
From left to right: Rick Hudson, Cris Hagen, Me Me Soe, Kalyar Platt, Khin Myo Myo, Bill Holmstrom, Kyaw Moe, and
Win Ko Ko. Photo credit: shailendra singh.
Kyaw Moe (holding tortoise) and Steven Platt (writing)
with a group of Forest Department Rangers during a
survey of Shwe Settaw Wildlife Sanctuary in September
2011. Photo credit: kalyar Platt.
Kalyar Platt, Rick Hudson and Cris Hagen designing the
new Turtle Rescue Center near May Myo. This Center
will be built along a major trade route into China, and will
provide a second chance for countless turtles that are
seized from the wildlife trade.
Kyaw Moe (far right) and Steven Platt (center wearing
hat) with two local field assistants excavating a clutch
of Roofed Turtle eggs from a sandbank along the upper
Chindwin River. Photo credit: kalyar Platt.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 41 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
trivittata no longer constitute a viable popula-
tion, we hope to purchase turtles caught by
fishermen and move them into captive assurance
colonies where each can make a valuable genetic
contribution to the next generation.
The Team continued upriver, linking up with
Kyaw Moe, project leader for Roofed Turtle
recovery efforts on the upper Chindwin River.
With Kyaw Moe, the Team surveyed Nam
Thalet Chaung and concluded that at least a few
female Roofed Turtles are still nesting along this
Chindwin River tributary. Because the sediments
of Nam Thalet Chaung have never yielded gold,
this stream has been spared the mining ravages
commonly seen in the region. In fact, Nam Thalet
Chaung seems nearly pristine in most places and
will likely prove a suitable place for reintroduc-
ing headstarted B. trivittata.
The B. trivittata headstarting program along
the upper Chindwin River continues to safeguard
nests and produce hatchlings. Every nesting
season, local wardens are hired to monitor known
nesting sites along the river. Whenever a female
emerges from the water to lay her clutch of up
to 40 eggs, the wardens immediately contact
Kyaw Moe, who quickly seeks and unearths the
eggs. This is no easy task given that each clutch is
deposited in several widely scattered holes amidst
a confusing array of tracks and drag marks. The
eggs are transported to a secure incubation area
on a natural sandbank at Linpha Village. Here
Kyaw Moe reburies the eggs in a fenced enclosure.
Upon hatching about two months later, the hatch-
lings are placed in a village headstarting facility
where they are reared to a size suitable for release.
During the 2011-12 breeding season 71 eggs
successfully hatched, with another 20 eggs due
Habitat destruction in Tanintharyi Division.
Kalyar and Steven Platt with three Asian Brown Tortoises rescued from a village in southern Myanmar. The Tortoises
were captured in snares set for wild pigs and will soon be transferred to an assurance colony. Photo credit: kalyar Platt.
Kyaw Moe reburies Roofed Turtle eggs in a secure incu-
bation area near Linpha Village. Photo credit: kalyar Platt.
august 2012 42 turtle survival
to hatch at the time of this writing. These most
recent hatchlings are something of a conserva-
tion milestone, bringing the total number of B.
trivittata hatched by the program to 560. That's
an impressive accomplishment considering that
ten years ago less than 20 living B. trivittata were
known to exist in all of Myanmar! Ex situ con-
servation efforts have truly pulled the Burmese
Roofed Turtle back from the extinction abyss.
Still, we must guard against complacency.
Great hurdles must be overcome before Roofed
Turtles again populate the large rivers of Myan-
mar. To meet these challenges, we continue to
focus our efforts on the upper Chindwin River.
Plans are underway to expand the Linpha head-
starting facility. A grant from the Miami Zoo has
enabled us to emplace a tube well that will supply
fresh water directly to the turtle tanks rather
than pumping from the river, an expensive and
difficult approach, especially during low water.
A trial release of headstarted B. trivittata is being
considered for next year.
The Team hardly had time to relax upon
arrival in Yangon, before we were off to
Tanintharyi Division, the southernmost part of
Myanmar where Mangrove Terrapins (Batagur
affinis) are rumored to survive in coastal swamps
and rivers. A 2004 survey by Kalyar Platt found
evidence of these critically endangered river
turtles in several areas, although fishermen were
harvesting the turtles and their eggs. Our Tanin-
tharyi expedition proved challenging, and at
times frustrating. Local authorities responding to
a tenuous security situation and with concern for
our welfare denied Team access to some of the
most promising areas, which unfortunately, are
under the control of guerilla chieftains. Unable
to visit these areas, we could only rely on local
reports, which tantalizingly suggest a hand-
ful of terrapins remain. Using GPS coordinates
collected in 2004, we relocated a nesting beach
identified during the earlier survey or rather
we found what remained of it. The beach is now
buried in thick mud, deposited after the sur-
rounding watershed was deforested. Even more
alarming, a boat survey of the lower Tanintharyi
River found no beaches offering adequate nest
sites to female terrapins. That said, area fisher-
men continue to see terrapins in the river, but
where these turtles are nesting is a mystery.
These findings highlight rapid changes occurring
in the region and underscore the urgent need for
immediate conservation action if river turtles are
to be saved from extinction.
Heavy rains signaling the onset of the 2012
wet season forced us to return to Yangon, but
we plan to return and continue the quest in the
coming dry season. We also hope to secure some
remaining terrapins as founders for an in situ
breeding colony.
Acknowledgements: We recognize the following
donors for their steadfast and generous support
of the TSA and WCS Myanmar Turtle Conserva-
tion Program: Andy Sabin and the Sabin Family
Foundation, Andrew Walde, the Batchelor Foun-
dation, the Beneficia Foundation, Chuck Landrey
and Taste of Thai, the Detroit Zoological
Institute, Los Angeles Zoo, Zoo Miami, Nature's
Own, Patricia Koval and WWF Canada, Taipei
Forestry Bureau, Taipei Zoo, Toronto Zoo, and
the Woodland Park Zoo.
Meet the staff:
Me Me soe
Kalyar Platt
Me Me Soe received a BSc. in Zoology
from Yangon University (1994) and MSc. in
Zoology from the Arts and Science University
of Yangon (2000). From 1995 to 1998 she
worked as a tutor in Biology and served as
a part-time lecturer in zoology at Yangon
University. Prior to her TSA employment, Me
Me Soe worked as a technician at Yuzana
Shrimp Farm in Kyauktan. She joined TSA
as a field assistant in 2011 and has proven
herself adept and durable in the field, where
she has participated in a chelonian survey of
Natma Taung National Park, an assessment
of Minzontaung and Shwe Settaw wildlife
sanctuaries for star tortoises, population
assessments of Batagur baska in Tanintharyi
Division, chelonian surveys along Chindwin
river, and learned management techniques
for captive chelonians at assurance colo-
nies in Myanmar, including Lawkanandar,
Rakhine Yoma, and Minzontaung wildlife
sanctuaries. Me Me Soe works closely with
TSA Coordinator Kalyar Platt.
Photo credit: Bill holMstroM
An extremely rare Arakan Forest Turtle (Heosemys depressa) rescued from a pagoda pond in Mandalay. The turtle
was transferred to the assurance colony at the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range in Gwa. This critically endangered
species is known only from the hills in western Myanmar. Photo credit: khin Myo Myo
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 43 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
Vietnam has always been important to turtle
conservation, with 25 species of tortoise and
freshwater turtles, 16 of which are Endangered
or Critically Endangered (IUCN 2011) and three
endemics. Its proximity to major consumer
markets in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, meant
that Vietnam bore the initial brunt of the Asian
turtle crisis. Today, Vietnam's growing human
population and rapid development is putting
sustained pressure on wild turtle populations,
and efforts are ongoing to conserve critically
important Asian species.
The Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of the
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has been conducting
intensive surveys since 2009, focusing on priority
species including the Vietnamese Pond Turtle
(Mauremys annamensis), Swinhoe's Softshell
Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) and Indochinese Box
Turtles (Cuora galbinifrons, Cuora bourreti and
Cuora picturata).
Notable survey results include discovery of all
three Indochinese Box turtles in the wild, along
with the Keeled Box Turtle (Cuora mouhotii). The
range for Cuora bourreti has been defined. It ex-
tends from Thua Thien Hue province (where it was
found in the Sao La Nature Reserve), south to Phu
Yen Province, where Cuora picturata also occurs.
In 2011, Cuora galbinifrons was found in the
wild at the Pu Hu Nature Reserve in Thanh Hoa
Province. The ATP is partnering with the local
Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental
Studies (CRES) to initiate conservation at the site.
A major surprise came when a Platysternon
megacephalum, Manouria impress, and two
Geoemyda spengleri were found in the wild at the
Xuan Nga Nature Reserve in Son La province.
The historic range of the Vietnamese Pond
Turtle (Mauremys annamensis) has been more
clearly defined in lowland coastal wetland areas of
central Vietnam, extending from Da Nang south
to Phu Yen province. However, Quang Ngai prov-
ince remains a key focus for species conservation.
Now, with ranges and priority areas better
defined, site-based conservation and local aware-
ness building efforts are getting underway. Of
course, this is no easy task, considering that the
average annual per capita income is just $1,168,
and that prices and demand for wild caught
turtles remain high.
School programs and community meetings
are key to local support. The ATP and a local
NGO, Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), are
organizing conservation awareness activities at
key sites. In February 2012, more than 1,700 pu-
pils participated in the first Cuora-focused school
programs, held around picturata habitat in Phu
Yen province. In March, a special arts competi-
tion held for schools around Dong Mo Lake for
the Rafetus swinhoei received 3,200 entries. The
contest coincided with the rescue and treatment
of the Hoan Kiem Turtle in Hanoi.
Ongoing community support and improved
enforcement is crucial if Vietnam's most endan-
gered turtle species are to survive in the wild.
We wish to thank our supporters, the Critical
Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF), Birdlife
International, Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF),
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conserva-
tion Fund (MBZ), Columbus Zoo, US Fish and
Wildlife Service, Wade Foundation, and Disney
Worldwide Conservation Fund.
Tim McCormack, Asian Turtle Program, PO Box 179, Of-
fice # 1302, Thanh Cong Tower, 57 Lang Ha, Hanoi. Tel;
+84(04)35149750, turtle.conservation@gmail.com
Survey Successes Lead to
Conservation and Local
Awareness-Building
By Tim McCormack & Hoang Van Ha
r a n g e c o u n t r y u p d at e
vietnam
A Cuora picturata found in the wild, Khanh Hoa province,
September 2011.
Photo Credit: hoang Van ha, asian turtle Program
Students with the field team in Sao La Nature Reserve
learn how to take turtle measurements and complete
field record forms. Photo Credit: nguyen tai thang, asian
turtle Program
august 2012 44 turtle survival
The death of Lonesome George in the Galapagos
Islands in June 2012 and the resulting extinction of
the taxon Chelonoidis nigra abingdonii moved the
giant Yangtze Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei)
to the highest rank in the list of the world's "Top 25
Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles".
The only known female R. swinhoei in the
world, housed at the Changsha Zoo, is currently
paired with the last known male in China at the
Suzhou Zoo. This female laid clutches of eggs in
June and July 2012, but candling of the eggs sug-
gests that most or all are infertile, a repeat of the
unfortunate events of past years. With only two
other live specimens of R. swinhoei known both
in Vietnam and unavailable to China's captive
breeding program finding more specimens is
paramount to species survival.
Interview-based surveys in China from 2007
to 2010 suggested that the only place Rafetus
swinhoei is likely to be found is in the Red River
system, but this population too if it exists
must certainly be on the brink of extinction due
to overharvesting and habitat degradation.
A journal recommendation has been made
to continue attempts to find live speciemens (see
Wang, J., Shi, H-T., Wen C., Han, L-X in Press.
"Habitat Selection and Conservation Suggestions
for Rafetus swinhoei in Upper Red River, China."
Chelonian Conservation and Biology). Following
that recommendation, the TSA and TCF funded the
authors of this article to make surveys of the Red
River in Yunnan in September 2011 and June 2012.
The first of our surveys revealed that "huge
size" is the only characteristic used to identify
and rescue R. swinhoei by forestry officials moni-
toring turtle hunting and trade at local markets
on the Red River. They reported that no "huge
size" R. swinhoei had been recorded since 1998.
The officials claimed to be unable to distinguish
specimens smaller than 20-30 kg body mass from
other species of softshell turtles. To aid them in
detecting smaller class size R. swinhoei in the lo-
cal trade, we created an identification kit, "Softs-
hell Turtles of Yunnan (P.R. China) and Adjacent
Areas". The booklet was written in both English
Rescuing the Giant
Yangtze and Red
River Softshell Turtle
(Rafetus swinhoei)
r a n g e c o u n t r y u p d at e
china
Ger ald Kuchling, R ao Dingqi, and Lu Shunqing
Industrial-scale sand mining at a sandbank on the Red River, Yunnan. Photo Credit: Gerald KuChlinG.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 45 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
and Chinese with illustrations clearly showing
the characteristics of the different size classes of
all species, including the smallest known R. swin-
hoei, the holotype of Oscaria swinhoei (Gray 1873)
with a carapace length of 330 mm and a juvenile
alcohol-preserved specimen of 380 mm carapace
length in the Vienna Natural History Museum.
During our second survey in June 2012, we
distributed more than 30 of these identification
booklets to forestry bureaus, other government
agencies, and traders on the Red River.
Our surveys confirmed the results of the
previous surveys (Wang et al. in press, see above),
namely that the Red River habitat of R. swinhoei
has been largely destroyed or drastically altered
by hydroelectric dams and sand mining. This
and the continuing exploitation of softshell
turtles, combined with the inability of monitor-
ing authorities to identify smaller specimens of
R. swinhoei in the local food trade, have led the
species to the brink of extinction. Only a few lo-
cal farmers and fishermen reported occasionally
seeing large softshell turtles. Given the continu-
ing deterioration of habitat, it appears that any
surviving R. swinhoei must now roam widely
through marginal and largely unsuitable habitat,
such as lake impoundments. This makes the
finding and rescue of any surviving individuals
very challenging, although incredibly urgent due
to the continuing destructive pressures of fishing
A hydroelectric dam on the Red River, Yunnan. Photo Credit: Gerald KuChlinG.
and hunting by local people and the dangers
posed by hydroelectric operations (e.g., being
trapped underwater and killed on the upstream
side of reservoir pipe filter grids).
Locating and rescuing remaining R. swinhoei
will require both time and money. We propose
that the best way to proceed is to build large,
custom-made, collapsible cathedral traps (see
Kuchling, G. 2003. "A new underwater trap for
catching turtles." Herpetological Review 34: 126-
128). This will require the hiring and training of
a field technician to conduct trapping efforts in
areas where local people have reported sightings.
A motorboat will be needed as well to deploy and
monitor traps efficiently in the large impound-
ments. We also propose the modification of exist-
ing concrete water storage ponds near the Red
River to serve as a temporary and secure housing
facility for any R. swinhoei that are caught, pend-
ing decisions to launch captive breeding efforts.
Unfortunately there appears to be no quick
fix for the rescue of R. swinhoei from extinc-
tion. Instead we must commit significant money
and effort. Otherwise we will forever lose this
species, and the world's "Top 25 Endangered
Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles" now there
are only 24 will get even shorter.
Gerald Kuchling, Chelonia Enterprises, 28 Tokay Lane,
The Vines, WA 6069, Australia, Gerald.Kuchling@uwa.
edu.au
Rao Dingqi, Division of Herpetology, Kunming Institute of
Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yun-
nan, The People's Republic of China 650223, raodq@
mail.kiz.ac.cn
Lu Shunqing, WCS China, Life and Environment Sci-
ences College, Huangshan University, No. 39, Xihai
Road, Huangshan, Anhui Province, P. R. China 245041,
lusq@hsu.edu.cn
This softshell turtle identification booklet was prepared
and distributed to Forestry Department officials to help
them identify juvenile Rafetus swinhoei. Currently, large
size is the only criteria used to determine if a softshell is
Rafetus, thus smaller specimens may not be detected.
Photo Credit: Gerald KuChlinG.
august 2012 46 turtle survival
The Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys
mawii), known locally in Belize as the Hicatee
is the only living representative of a formerly
widespread group of turtles of the family Derma-
temydidae. Hence from a biodiversity preserva-
tion perspective this monotypic species ranks
extremely high. It currently has a very restricted
range, confined to the lowlands of northern Gua-
temala, southern Mexico, and Belize.
The Hicatee has traditionally been heavily
harvested for its meat hunted with nets,
harpooned or collected by hand to the point
that many populations have been extirpated.
This continued downward spiraling trend has
resulted in D. mawii being ranked Critically
Endangered by the IUCN Red List, which calls it
"the most endangered species, genus, and family
of turtles in Mexico, and possibly elsewhere in its
limited range." Despite intense collection pres-
sures, Belize still supports some healthy popula-
tions, though generally these are in remote and
sparsely populated areas.
A regional initiative to save the species from
extinction has been launched in Belize. The TSA
is playing a leading role in that initiative, part-
nering with the Belize Foundation for Research
and Environmental Education (BFREE) to
establish the Hicatee Conservation and Research
Center (HCRC) at the BFREE biological field
station in southern Belize. Construction of the
center began in 2011, with initial work focused on
the creation of ponds and a freshwater well and
solar powered pumping system to provide clean
fresh water to the ponds. Material acquisition for
infrastructure development is also underway.
Work currently continues on pond stabiliza-
tion. Initially, a decision was made to dig the
ponds, then use clay as a natural liner, a process
that requires time for the ponds to seal. Large
amounts of clay have been brought to the pond
site, and layered using heavy machinery, along
with wheelbarrows and a lot of hand labor. The
Hicatee Conservation
Research Center Takes
Shape in Belize
r a n g e c o u n t r y u p d at e
belize
Male Hicatee turtles develop a brilliant yellow coloration on their head during the breeding season. Photo Credit: thomas rainwater
Jacob Marlin
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 47 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
clay has been tightly compacted using a variety of
methods including driving atop it with an ATV.
Unfortunately, the ponds have yet to seal, and
continue leaking for reasons unknown. Though
the seepage is slight, it is enough to delay con-
struction. We are seeking a solution, and expect
to have the ponds ready for the Hicatee in the
next few months.
Concurrent with pond construction, we have
spent the past months preparing for the dietary
needs of the River Turtles to be housed at the new
center. Previous Hicatee surveys conducted by
Don Moll (1980s) and John Polisar (1990s) found
that a large proportion of the turtle's diet consists
of angel grass (Paspalum paniculatum), Dr. Steven
Brewer, a plant ecologist who has worked in Belize
for 20 years and who resides at BFREE for part of
the year, volunteered to propagate angel grass at
the HCRC in order to offer a steady, self-maintain-
ing on-site supply of this food source.
Seed "heads" (infructescences) from the
BFREE garden were collected and dispersed
around the perimeter of both breeding ponds,
and around the bio-filtration and food-rearing
pond. The seeds have germinated, and angel
grass is now becoming part of the ground cover
vegetation within the HCRC. As the Belize rainy
season moves into full swing, BFREE staff will
tend the grass and encourage its abundance, so
that the Hicatee will be well provided for when
they arrive. Thank you to Dr. Brewer for aiding in
this important aspect of the care and husbandry
of this critically endangered species.
It is our hope and expectation that when the
HCRC is fully operational it will play an impor-
tant role in conserving the Central American
River Turtle.
Jacob Marlin, Belize Foundation for Research and Envi-
ronmental Education. jmarlin@bfreebz.org
hicatee outreach making
Big impact in Belize
Lee McLoughlin
Pressure on the Hicatee the Central
American River Turtle has been significantly
reduced in Belize thanks to a successful
awareness raising campaign that began in
2011. To build on that momentum, the Ya'axch
Conservation Trust (Ya'axch), with the help of
the TSA, secured funding from the Turtle
Conservation Fund to sustain the campaign.
Ya'axch again teamed up with Belize's
number one radio and television station,
Love FM, to sponsor the three biggest social
events in Belize La Ruta Maya, a 175-mile
kayak race; The Belize Agriculture Show;
and the National Bicycle Race. A song high-
lighting the plight of the Hicatee and what
Belizeans can do to reverse its decline was
written in Kriol (the national dialect), and
played on Love FM throughout the events.
This coverage was supported on the
ground by the Belize Fisheries Department.
The agency conducted enforcement patrols
and distributed awareness-raising materials
to restaurants and food vendors that often
illegally sell Hicatee meat. Ya'axch reports
that, for the first time ever, no vendors were
caught selling Hicatee. Many vendors and
restaurants say they learned about the threats
to Hicatee survival through the campaign.
While the survival of the Hicatee is still
not guaranteed, it is clear that progress is
being made. A continued awareness
campaign in 2013 will be essential.
Lee McLoughlin, lee.mcloughlin@yaaxche.org
This large 10' x 20' billboard is visible to
all drivers leaving Belize City and is seen
by those heading north into the Belize river valley,
the region of highest Hicatee consumption.
The pond at the HCRC, the future home for the Hicatee. Photo Credit: JaCoB marlin
Location of the Hicatee Conservation and Research
Center in southern Belize.
august 2012 48 turtle survival
Dunn's Mud Turtle (Kinosternon dunni) is one of
the least known species in the family Kinosterni-
dae. It was described by Karl Schmidt in 1947 on
the basis of only two female specimens, and has
been known since from only about ten localities
in the Departamento del Choc near the Pacific
coast of western Colombia. Since Fred Medem's
work in the early 1960's, less than five individuals
have been observed or collected in the field. The
species is threatened by a combination of factors,
including small geographic range and rarity, lo-
cal consumption, and increasing habitat pressure
from logging and gold mining.
The TSA sponsored a Kinosternon dunni sur-
vey in western Colombia through a seed grant in
2011. The work was conducted in response to the
urgent need to collect information on the distri-
bution and population status of this little known
species. Researchers German Forero-Medina
Tracking Down Colombia's
Most Elusive Turtle
German Forero-Medina
r a n g e c o u n t r y u p d at e
colombia
An adult male of Kinosternon dunni captured during the survey, showing the characteristic and peculiar bulbous nose. Very few individuals of this species had ever been
photographed in the wild. Photo Credit: German-Forero medina
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 49 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
and Eladio Renteria led the survey, which was
conducted in collaboration with the Herpetologi-
cal Studies Group from the local Universidad
Teconolgica del Choc. This alliance was key,
as it planted the seed for a new research group
on the ecology and conservation of the turtles of
Choc, in western Colombia.
Preliminary project results indicate great
success and a number of interesting surprises.
Six localities in the Departamento del Choc
were visited, including sites with previous
records of Kinosternon dunni, as well as sites out-
side its known range where local people reported
the mud turtle. Baited traps were used to capture
individuals at each site for three consecutive
nights. Surprisingly, the species was not found at
localities with previous records. However, it was
recorded in two new localities in the drainage
basin of the Atrato River, which flows into the
Caribbean Sea. This varies from all previous
records, which are in the Pacific drainage.
A particularly interesting population was
found in a marshy area dominated by palm trees
of the genus Euterpe near a sparsely populated
village. At this site, researchers were able to
capture 17 individuals in three nights, more than
had ever been recorded previously. The sex ratio
was 9 (females): 7 (males):1 (juvenile) and the
maximum size and weight recorded were 180
millimeters of carapace length and 800 grams
for a male, respectively. The species was sym-
patric with the White-Lipped Mud Turtle (K.
leucostomum) and the Colombian Wood Turtle
(Rhinoclemmys melanosterna). These exciting
finds indicate that although the species may be
very rare and difficult to detect, there are still
likely undiscovered populations in areas not yet
surveyed. The task of understanding the species
ecology and preserving it in its highly threatened
habitat is just beginning.
The survey served as the start of a long term
project in collaboration with local organizations to
monitor the populations identified, collect infor-
mation on the natural history of the species, and
identify potential mechanisms for its conserva-
tion. Students and conservation practitioners from
the Choc region will be involved in this project,
which is also aimed at capacity building and estab-
lishing a local group for the study and conserva-
tion of the chelonians of the Choc region.
German Forero-Medina
Science Director
Wildlife Conservation Society / Colombia
TSA Colombian Program Coordinator
Carrera 25 # 4 -39, Cali, Colombia
forecroc@yahoo.com
Students from the Universidad Tecnolgica del Choco learn how to capture and mark turtles during a workshop demonstrating
field techniques for the conservation of freshwater turtles in Quibd, Choc, Colombia. Photo Credit: German-Forero medina
An adult male Kinostenron dunni showing the reduced plastron characteristic of the species. Photo Credit: German-Forero medina
The rainforest of Choc in western Colombia conceals the habitat of Kinosternon dunni. Even though large areas of
forest remain intact, the species is being threatened by hunting, illegal logging and gold mining. Photo Credit: German-
Forero medina
august 2012 50 turtle survival
meet the Staff:
German Forero-medina
German is the new program coordina-
tor for the joint TSA / WCS Colombia Turtle
Program, and he will be based in Cali, at the
headquarters of WCS Colombia. German is a
young Colombian biologist who has studied
endangered and endemic species in South
America, particularly freshwater turtles.
He received his Master's degree from the
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, in
Brazil, and earned his PhD in Ecology from
Duke University. German's experience with
South American conservation issues, his
strong scientific background, and motivation
will contribute heavily to making this new
program a success.
TSA Colombia Program Targets
Chelonian Diversity Hotspot
Rick Hudson
In July 2012, the TSA launched a vital new pro-
gram in Colombia in recognition of the key role
that nation must play in the conservation of South
American freshwater turtles and tortoises. The
new program is expected to face major challenges,
since Colombia's turtle species face imminent
threats. However, the effort will be significantly
strengthened due to a collaborative agreement
between the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
and the TSA expanding on the proven coopera-
tive model the two organizations are implement-
ing successfully in Myanmar and China.
Colombia is widely recognized as a strategic
location for turtle conservation in South Ameri-
ca, and with 27 species, is considered one of the
world's turtle diversity hotspots, ranked sixth
in species richness with three endemic species.
In South America, only Brazil has more species,
with 29. Located at the intersection of Central
and South America, Colombia is biogeographi-
cally remarkable. It supports the highest number
of chelonian families, with seven. But Colombia's
diverse chelonian fauna is under threat from a
range of human factors including consumption,
habitat loss, and pollution.
German Forero-Medina has been selected
program coordinator for the joint TSA / WCS
Colombia Turtle Program (see sidebar). He will
be responsible for implementing specific recom-
mendations identified in the Strategic Plan for the
Conservation of Colombian Continental Turtles,
a strategy developed in a July 2011 workshop
in Medellin and sponsored in part by the TSA.
This plan was compiled by Dr. Vivian Paez and
launched recently under the auspices of the Co-
lombian Herpetological Association (ACH).
One of German's primary responsibilities is
to ensure that chelonians are included in higher
level discussions regarding new protected
areas, and in decisions prioritizing species and
research areas for future funding. He'll also be
tasked with expanding the capacity for turtle
conservation work in Colombia by organizing
training workshops that teach field research
and captive management techniques. Perhaps
his most daunting challenge will be the develop-
ment of a plan for dealing with the thousands of
turtles and tortoises confiscated annually. This
can best be accomplished by strengthening the
zoo and rescue center network, improving its
capacity to deal with the ongoing problem of
overcrowded facilities.
On a species-specific level, German will de-
velop long-term monitoring programs for endemic
species considered rare (Dunn's Mud Turtle,
Kinosternon dunni), and endangered (Dahl's Toad-
Head Turtle, Mesoclemmys dahli). A leading prior-
ity species is the endemic Magdalena River Turtle
(Podocnemis lewyana). German will encourage
coordination of research and conservation activi-
ties that will hopefully lead to a Recovery Plan for
this critically endangered species.
Rick Hudson, rhudson@fortworthzoo.org
Photo Credit: niColaS PalaCioS
Sixty-two people participated in a two-day workshop at the Santa Fe Zoo in Medellin, in July 2011, and drafted an
outline for a comprehensive strategy for protecting Colombia's diverse turtle fauna. Photo Credit: riCk hudSon
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 51 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
The TSA has long sought program collaborators to
conserve Indonesia's chelonians. Over the past
year, that effort met with some success on the
Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
The island is of high priority for conservation.
Sulawesi, formerly known as Celebes and located
east of Borneo and south of the Philippines,
has two threatened endemic species, Forsten's
Tortoise (Indotestudo forstenii) and the Sulawesi
Forest Turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi).
The range of these two species is centered in
the remote province of Central Sulawesi. Both
species have been heavily exploited for the local
food trade and international pet trade, and have
been negatively impacted by extensive habitat
alteration for agriculture.
Not surprisingly, both species are now rare in
Building Partnerships
to Conserve Indonesia's
Endemic Turtles
Cris Hagen
f e at u r e
sulawesi trip report
Wild adult male Sulawesi Forest Turtle encountered at night in Central Sulawesi, 7 June 2012. Photo Credit: Cris hagen
areas where they were once relatively common.
With a small geographic distribution and high lev-
els of exploitation and habitat destruction, L. yu-
wonoi is Critically Endangered and considered one
of the top 25 most endangered turtles in the world.
I. forstenii is currently listed as Endangered but
the trajectory of decline may result in it becoming
Critically Endangered in the near future.
Since 2002, Indonesia has prohibited all
international trade for L. yuwonoi and this law
august 2012 52 turtle survival
appears to be strictly enforced. Over the years,
the export quota for I. forstenii has been gradu-
ally reduced to a current level of 150 individuals
annually. While international export of these
species has mostly ceased, observations at animal
dealers in Jakarta and elsewhere indicate that
there is still some trade within Indonesia.
CaPaCity Building
In May and June 2012, I set out with Awal
Riyanto, of the Indonesian Institute of Science in
Jakarta, to meet with local NGO's, government
agencies, and universities to discuss developing a
research and conservation program for Sulawesi's
endemic turtles. We received a very positive
response from the staff of the regional Wildlife
Conservation Society (WCS) office in Manado
(North Sulawesi), as well as from faculty and stu-
dents at Sam Ratulangi University in Manado, and
Tadulako University in Palu (Central Sulawesi).
Enthusiasm and interest was especially strong
at Tadulako University in Palu, where we made
a presentation to 70 students and faculty. Even
though this university is in close proximity to wild
populations of both species, not a person in atten-
dance had ever seen these turtles or knew of their
conservation concerns. People were surprised to
learn that two outsiders had extensive knowledge
of these turtles, while many locals are completely
unaware that the animals exist. This is a situation
that these academics seemed eager to change.
The next step will be to develop a formal col-
laborative agreement between the TSA, WCS's In-
donesia Program, and local universities on Sulawesi.
Within a year we hope to have dedicated students
and regional WCS staff conducting field studies on
these turtles to acquire a deeper understanding of
their distribution, natural history, and ecology. This
data will help us initiate sound conservation plans,
including the development of protected areas and
perhaps in situ captive assurance colonies as needed.
Current trade
Based upon initial inquiries, we believed that
the commercial turtle trade in Palu had stopped
with the death of the primary turtle trader in
Central Sulawesi in June 2009. However, on 5
June 2012, Eric Goode and Max Maurer of the
Students and faculty gather for a group photo outside Tadulako University, Palu, Central Sulawesi, with visiting turtle
biologists Awal Riyanto and Cris Hagen.
At the new commercial turtle facility, Forsten's Tortoises and Sulawesi Forest Turtles pile together under small bam-
boo shelters in an effort to cool down from the Palu Valley's sweltering midday heat. Photo Credit: Cris hagen
Juvenile Sulawesi Forest Turtle photographed exactly as
it was encountered in its habitat, midday 7 June 2012.
Photo Credit: Cris hagen
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 53 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
Behler Chelonian Center informed us otherwise.
During their plane flight to Palu to meet us, a
passenger informed Eric that a trader in Palu was
setting up a new commercial turtle business.
Using this lead, we tracked down the newly es-
tablished commercial captive breeding facility in
Palu. In February 2012, this facility first began col-
lecting adult turtles as breeding stock, all report-
edly from the region of Bangkir, Central Sulawesi.
In just a few months they amassed a collection of
approximately 100 I. forstenii, 200 L. yuwonoi, and
25 Sulawesi Box Turtles (Coura amboinensis).
We visited the facility, finding that these
turtles were being maintained in temporary out-
door holding enclosures while construction was
completed on permanent breeding enclosures.
Unfortunately, stress from overcrowding and
exposure to high temperatures in the temporary
pens will undoubtedly result in mortality, espe-
cially with L. yuwonoi. This loss of breeding stock
will almost certainly result in additional collec-
tion of wild caught turtles as replacements.
The facility owner is working with the local
forestry department to obtain permits for captive
breeding and commercialization. He claims to
have been dealing L. yuwonoi locally since 1977,
eighteen years before the species' formal descrip-
tion. In future, this facility has the potential
to successfully breed I. forstenii, provided that
permanent enclosures are completed, shade trees
grown, and proper husbandry implemented.
However, we believe the hot, dry conditions at this
location will be inappropriate for L. yuwonoi, mak-
ing acclimation and successful propagation very
difficult. In addition, the true intent of this facility
remains unclear. Many such commercial captive
breeding facilities around the world are little more
than laundering facilities for wild caught animals.
Hopefully, this facility will not turn out to be yet
another drain on wild turtle populations.
in the Field
We looked for wild turtles in habitats around
Palu, and in forested areas in the north near the
town of Moutong. All turtles encountered were left
in the wild where they were found. Despite our ef-
forts, we were unable to locate a single I. forstenii in
the wild. Based on interviews with local residents
and personal observations, it appears that over
collection, city sprawl, and agricultural conversion
have all contributed to the species' severe depletion
in its preferred lowland habitat in the dry Palu
Valley. Remaining populations are scattered on the
steep arid hillsides surrounding the valley. There
are also reported scattered populations farther
north in hilly rainforest and lowland coastal habi-
tats between Palu and the town of Gorontalo.
In our search for the Sulawesi Forest Turtle
in the wild, we travelled to a remote locality that
I visited ten years ago while conducting one of
the first surveys for L. yuwonoi. The Ganonggol
River in the north, its tributaries, and surrounding
forest are home to both L. yuwonoi and I. forstenii.
We had little trouble finding three hatchlings and
eight juvenile L. yuwonoi in the small, shallow and
flowing, 25 C (77 F) creeks. However, we found only
two adult males in stream pools at night. During
my 2002 survey, adults were encountered more
frequently and were more accessible. It appears
that a decade of heavy collection, deforestation, and
agriculture (coffee trees planted down to the edge
of streams) have negatively impacted this popula-
tion. We believe that the relative abundance of
hatchlings and juveniles that we observed recently
is a result of flooding that washed the animals
downstream from where they hatched that's
because the animals spent most, if not all, of their
time in the small pools of the creeks. We believe
that as human activities persist, adult populations
will only survive deeper in the forest. Considering
their small geographic range, it will not be long
before these turtles have nowhere left to go.
The future of the turtles of Sulawesi is
not promising. If conservation actions are not
implemented soon, time will run out, and we
will surely lose these species from the wild.
Collaborations are crucial to gaining a better
understanding of the true status of these species
in the wild, regarding their natural history and
the extent of local and national trade. We hope
that these efforts come to fruition soon and that
field studies will quickly lead to conservation
programs that secure a protected existence for
some of Indonesia's most endangered turtles.
Cris Hagen, Turtle Survival Alliance, Drawer E, Aiken, SC
29802, USA chagen@turtlesurvival.org
Very young hatchling of a Sulawesi Forest Turtle encountered in the wild, midmorning 7 June 2012. Photo Credit: Cris hagen
Pools and waterfalls in forested small stream habitat of the Sulawesi Forest Turtle. Photo Credit: Cris hagen
august 2012 54 turtle survival
In early January 2012, one of the most endan-
gered turtles on earth an adult female Southern
River Terrapin (Batagur affinis) was success-
fully released into the Sre Ambel River of Cam-
bodia. The female turtle was fixed with a satellite
transmitter (Model: F4G 291A) from SirTrack
Limited the first-ever satellite monitoring
study for this species and one of the very first for
freshwater turtles. This landmark tracking study
is being led by The Wildlife Conservation Society
(WCS), in conjunction with the Cambodian
Fisheries Administration, Wildlife Reserves
Singapore, and the Angkor Center for Conserva-
tion of Biodiversity.
The female turtle was captured in the Sre
Ambel River by local fishermen in April 2011,
and is one of an estimated 200 adults remain-
ing in the wilds of Cambodia, Malaysia, and
Indonesia. It was voluntarily turned over to
the WCS Cambodia turtle team, rather than
being sold into the black market trade, where it
would have most likely been shipped to China
food markets. Minor injuries sustained by the
turtle during capture resulted in WCS trans-
ferring it temporarily to the Angkor Center for
Conservation of Biodiversity near Siem Reap
for convalescing. There the turtle was main-
tained in a large earthen pond with abundant
vegetation and deep clean water. After earning
a clean bill of health from the center's veteri-
narian, the turtle was affixed with the satellite
transmitter using Powers T308+ epoxy and
readied for release.
The population of B. affinis in the Sre Am-
bel River is estimated at less than ten nesting
females. Thus, this individual is extremely
important for maintaining genetic diversity of
a species that has suffered drastic population
declines. B. affinis was once considered solely
the property of the King of Cambodia. How-
ever, following the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot
regime, the Cambodian people were left in dire
poverty. To survive, some responded by cap-
turing tens of thousands of terrapins to meet
the growing international demand for turtles
in China for human consumption. The species
was decimated over the past two decades and
was considered locally extinct in the Sre Am-
bel. Fortunately, in 2000, a small population of
B. affinis was found there.
WCS believes this population has an excel-
lent chance of recovery because the coastal
mangrove forests of southeastern Cambodia
are some of the largest and most pristine in
Southeast Asia, covering more than 45,000
hectares (roughly 175 square miles). These
habitats are crucial to numerous aquatic and
terrestrial animals and are vital nursery areas
for marine fisheries.
In coming months, the female turtle's move-
ments will be analyzed to determine how it
utilizes both the upstream freshwater habitats
and the downstream brackish habitats domi-
nated by mangrove forests. Of particular interest
Tracking Cambodia's
Southern River
Terrapin Via Satellite
Telemetry is a
Dramatic First
Brian D. Horne and Heng Sovannar a
Heng Sovannara (wearing WCS hat) and H.E Nao Thuok, Delegate of Royal Government of Cambodia and Director
General of Fisheries Administration (in suit) joins villagers celebrating the release of the female Batagur affinis into the
Sre Ambel River. Photo Credit: eleanor Briggs.
f e at u r e
cambodia
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 55 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
to researchers is how well the turtle navigates
through commercial fishing grounds, as well as
through areas where habitat has been destroyed
by sand mining or by the conversion of mangrove
forests into shrimp farming facilities. Identifica-
tion of the areas utilized by the turtle will help
WCS to better focus its efforts to reduce the
number of B. affinis being caught as fishery by-
catch and by targeted hunting.
The tracking study is already yielding signifi-
cant data. To date, the female has moved more
than 50 river kilometers and has had three areas
of concentrated residency in mostly freshwater
habitats. WCS scientists are especially looking
forward to the upcoming monsoon season in
October and November, to see if and how the
turtle utilizes the mangrove habitats in the lower
Sre Ambel River.
Brian D. Horne: Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300
Southern Blvd, Bronx, New York, 10460, USA, bhorne@
wcs.org; Heng Sovannara: Wildlife Conservation Society
Cambodia, #21 Street 21, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan
Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia,
h.sovannara@gmail.com
The turtle conservation community lost one of its staunchest allies
when Bern Tryon passed away on May 6, 2011. He is best known for his
pioneering work with the Southern Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenber-
gii), particularly in Tennessee where he wrote and helped implement a
conservation and recovery plan for the species. He developed a model
program merging field and captive management techniques. Bern's 25
year commitment to the Southern Bog Turtle is being sustained as he
bequeathed his significant herpetological library to the TSA to create an
endowment to fund bog turtle research and conservation.
At the time of his death, Bern was the Director of Animal Collec-
tions/Herpetology at the Knoxville Zoo. At the 8th Annual Symposium
on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles,
he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented jointly by the
TSA and the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group.
Bern will forever be remembered for his dedication and passion for her-
petology and uncompromising commitment to turtle conservation.
In its first year, the library has generated more than $35,000 for Bog
Turtle conservation. However, there are still a number of wonder-
ful books and reprints available, many of which are out of print. All
proceeds from library sales directly benefit the fund. To view the full
catalog online, please visit http://pondturtle.com/btlMain.html
A Lasting
Legacy
Bern holding the last Bog Turtle he would ever collect, September 2009 in North Carolina.
Photo Credit: dennis herman
Recent Turtle Movement within the Sre Ambel River complex.
august 2012 56 turtle survival
Across Asia, tourists are charmed by numerous
turtles swimming about in Buddhist temple ponds.
Those turtles are there due to an ancient Bud-
dhist ritual called "merit-making". Buddhists see
the turtle as a symbol of health and longevity, so
to "make merit" they buy turtles from local street
vendors then release them into temple ponds.
Unfortunately this particular "merit-mak-
ing" ritual has little merit. It is a misinformed
tradition leading to the suffering and death of
uncounted thousands of turtles. In Thailand a
group known as Turtle Love is determined to
give these temple turtles a better life.
The life of a temple turtle is brutal. Temple
ponds are designed primarily as sewage systems,
and are polluted by fungus, filth, trash and chem-
icals. They're typically overcrowded with turtles,
many infested with leeches and other parasites,
and often suffering from liver and kidney dam-
age. The captives live on an erratic and improper
diet, tossed to them by merit-seeking visitors as
bits of stale bread or vegetable scraps rife with
pesticides. Some ponds have encircling concrete
walls, so turtles that need land for nesting find
themselves perpetually swimming and floating.
Even though the sale and purchase of all na-
tive Thai freshwater turtle and tortoise species is
illegal, vendors continue harvesting wild turtles
for merit-seekers. Or they 'recycle' turtles, releas-
ing and recapturing turtles from temple ponds
within hours and then reselling them, a stressful
cycle that eventually leads to death from infec-
tion, dehydration, or starvation
Turtle Love, an enthusiastic team of vet-
erinarians and volunteers organized by the
Veterinary Medicine Department of Chulalong-
korn University in Bangkok, is seeking to change
these grim facts. They go to temples, respectfully
negotiate with monks for the release of turtles,
then remove the animals from the ponds and
assess their health. Unhealthy temple turtles
are treated at the Veterinary Aquatic Animal
Research Center at Chulalongkorn University.
Healthy animals are divided into native and
exotic freshwater species. Exotics, such as Red-
Eared Sliders, are sent to the fishery department
for care in captivity. Native freshwater and softs-
hell species are quarantined in a clean water pool
for a time and tagged with microchips before
release in national parks.
Among the species rescued are the Yellow Head-
ed Temple Turtle (Heosemys annandalii), Malayan
Snail-Eating Turtle (Malayemys macrocephala), Red-
Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), Black Pond
Terrapin (Geoclemys hamiltonii), Asian Box Turtles
(Cuora spp.) and various softshell turtles.
Temple Turtle rescue is just a starting point.
Turtle Love's intent is to end the temple turtle
merit-seeking practice. They hope to instill
knowledge of the harmful effects with the public,
and offer alternatives that do not negatively
impact turtles. Volunteers interact directly at
temple turtle rescues, passing on the conserva-
tion message with signs, tee shirts, and buttons.
It is the hope of Turtle Love, and my hope,
that the public becomes the greatest driving
force behind this project, recognizing that
the most meritorious act one can commit for a
turtle is to set it free in the wild. We also hope
that through microchip tracking, we can help
establish and maintain healthy native Thai turtle
populations in protected areas and humanely
relocate invasive species.
Dr. Nantarika Chansue, Associate Professor Chulalongkorn
University, Bangkok Thailand, nantarika.c@gmail.com
Turtle Love
Rescues Temple
Turtles in Thailand
Dr. Nantarika Chansue
t h a i l a n d
Up to her ears in turtles, Nantarika begins processing Yellow-Headed Temple Turtles (Heosemys annandalii), which
represent the majority of native turtles found in temple ponds.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 57 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
Most species of Asian pond turtles (genus Maure-
mys) are in peril, but they have received compar-
atively little attention from conservation, both
institutionally and privately. The Red-necked
Pond Turtle (Mauremys nigricans) has perhaps
the most precarious status of all members of the
genus because of its restricted distribution, in
which no wild population is known, and because
of the value placed on it by collectors in its native
southern China.
Thus, the TSA drafted a Taxon Management
Plan (TMP) for M. nigricans in August 2010, and
is still seeking notice among TSA members.
The purpose of the M. nigricans Taxon Man-
agement Group (TMG), as stated in the TMP, is
to establish and maintain ex situ genetic diversity
through assurance colonies with the aim of
securing the availability of viable specimens for
reintroductions. The TMP provides guidelines
for scientifically managed reintroductions, al-
though this objective is unlikely to be achieved in
the near future, further underscoring the impor-
tance of developing a TMG for the "Rednecks."
The status of M. nigricans in captivity is not
good despite its being a model species for ex situ
management. Consequently, immediate develop-
ment of assurance colonies is needed on behalf of
TSA members.
The largest colonies of founder specimens in
the U.S. are not held by active TSA members, and
as a result, F1 offspring produced by the majority
of captive M. nigricans in the U.S. are unavailable
for TMG purposes. Only one institution affiliated
with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA) in the U.S. maintains M. nigricans, and
AZA discontinued its Population Management
Plan for the species several years ago. A recent
report to the TSA suggested similar lack of inter-
Callin' All Rednecks!
Ben Anders
f e at u r e
A male Red-necked Pond Turtle (Mauremys nigricans) in non-breeding coloration still a colorful critter. Photo by author.
Red-necked Pond Turtle males four years of age with
vivid breeding coloration. Photo by author.
est for M. nigricans in the European Association
of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). This is unfortunate
since the number of founders owned by EAZA is
larger than that of AZA.
The M. nigricans TMG is comprised of ap-
proximately 100 privately owned F1 subadults
representing bloodlines from most private and
public U.S. founder collections, in addition
august 2012 58 turtle survival
to two privately owned founders and 15 TSA
owned founders. The TMG specimens are in
static groups and are not available for placement
among TSA members, but F2 hatchlings may
become available for placement in the future as
F1 specimens mature and breed. Exchange of
stocks between U.S. and European collections
has not occurred, in part due to the difficulty of
international shipment of CITES Appendix III
species (M. nigricans is listed for China).
TSA members should strongly consider adding
M. nigricans to their rosters of species to breed, and
if interested, should have little trouble finding spec-
imens through private breeders. The importance
of using F1 specimens from founder collections to
establish all TSA assurance colonies is discussed in
the TMP. In short, use of F2 specimens parented by
TMG F1's to achieve the target assurance popula-
tion size is more feasible given the expense of
purchasing F1's from private breeders, but the use of
F1's should prove more genetically sound.
TSA members already working with M. nigricans
under the radar are strongly encouraged to consult
the TMP and consider participating in the TMG.
Use of multiple assurance colonies to hedge
against natural disaster and/or disease outbreak
is of particular importance to the ex situ manage-
ment of M. nigricans since the TMP was designed
with the expectation that rigorous implemen-
tation will be required for a minimum of 21
years. This long yet highly optimistic timeframe
assumes China will secure the diverse require-
ments for scientifically coordinated reintroduc-
tions immediately, which is unlikely to happen.
Consequently, assurance colony managers must
anticipate an indefinite temporal obligation for
M. nigricans recovery.
Members who wish to become involved with
the M. nigricans TMG should consider the biology
of the species in designing their personal/institu-
tional courses of action for managing an assurance
colony. The TMP recommends assurance colony
sex ratio production to be 1:1 not often sought
with captive turtle colonies, but likely important
for M. nigricans' reproductive viability; further
discussion on this rationale is provided in the TMP.
Research is under way to establish the threshold
temperature(s) (provided the species demonstrates
temperature dependent sex determination) for egg
incubation. TSA 2007 and 2010 Partner Grants and
a Chelonian Research Foundation 2007 Linnaeus
Fund Award have supported this research and
development of the M. nigricans TMG.
The future of M. nigricans will require hands
on management of captive stocks, and while the
ex situ status of M. nigricans is better defined
than it was two years ago, a substantial amount
of capacity building remains.
The success of M. nigricans through assurance
colonies will require additional TMG supporters.
Interested parties may request an electronic copy
of the M. nigricans TMP from the author:
Ben Anders
University of Texas at Arlington
Biology Department Box 19498
Arlington, TX 76019-0498
USA
casichelydia@hotmail.com
The bright plastron of a hatchling. Photo by author.
An aged pair of Red-necked Pond Turtles exemplifying sexual dichromatism and size dimorphism; male in the fore-
ground. Photo by author, courtesy of Dennis uhrig.
Red-necked Pond Turtles use two holes during nesting,
which is unique to this species. Photov by Paul vanDer
schouw.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 59 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
We Are the TSA
m e m b e r s p o t l i g h t s
Heather Lowe
RobeRt A. VillA
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
occupation: Student, musician, field
biologist/naturalist, interpretive naturalist
What first sparked your interest in turtles?
At the age of five I walked into my great
grandmother's adobe house in old south Tucson
as she was making tortillas and was drawn to
a yellow box in the corner of the kitchen. As I
peered in, I was captivated by a desert tortoise.
Nana Mary said that I could take "Virgil" home
and he lives with me still.
Have you educated others about turtles
and turtle conservation?
I have worked three times as the Interpretive
Naturalist at the Desert Tortoise Natural Area
for the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee.
My contribution to conservation in the Mohave
Desert is to foster people's appreciation and
understanding about the tortoise and its fragile
ecosystem.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I enjoy gardening, maintaining unusual
plants, writing, photography/videography, riding
my bike, cooking, reading and collecting books,
visiting my grandmother, and being involved in
my neighborhood. I also keep desert box turtles,
a one-eyed 3-toed box turtle, two spotted turtles,
a Roti Island snake-necked turtle, several native
snakes and two Gila Monsters.
The foundation of the TSA is our partnerships, including those with our many individual members. With that in mind,
we are pleased to announce that our membership has grown in 2012. Funds generated by membership dues help to
offset TSA operating costs and provide available funds for unexpected costs of conservation projects around the world.
In short, your support is critical to our success.
We hope every member and donor feels engaged in the grassroots work that is being done on their behalf for turtles
globally. In addition to the magazine, you can keep up with the TSA and our field projects through the website, e-mail
newsletter and our Facebook page.
We firmly believe that anyone can contribute to turtle conservation, regardless of background or experience. Everyone
can advocate in their local community and increase the TSA's presence around the world. We have highlighted three
exceptional members here who do just that. We hope that you enjoy getting to know them.
pHoto cRedit: AndReW HoWley
august 2012 60 turtle survival
m e m b e r s p o t l i g h t s
How did you first learn about the TSA?
I first "met" the TSA in 2008 at the 6th Annual
Symposium in Tucson. I was recruited to pitch in
and have volunteered for the meeting every year
since. This year's meeting is in Tucson again and I
hope everyone enjoys the Sonoran Desert as much
as I do, especially during the wet monsoon season
when everything is vibrant with life.
AlessAndRo nAti
FoRnetti
Hometown: Roma, Italy
Occupation: Publisher
Do you keep turtles at home?
Yes, but just a few. I have had some Testudo
hermanni since I was a kid 35 years. The only
turtle I have purchased was a Pelodiscus sinensis,
which I found at a pet shop in Poland around
Christmas one year. How can you leave a softs-
hell with three meters of snow on the ground?
How did you first learn about the TSA?
Online. When I felt the urge to do something
for turtle conservation, the TSA seemed to be a
good fit. The idea of creating assurance colonies
was definitely fascinating.
Have you educated others about turtles
and turtle conservation?
I work to introduce the TSA to hobbyists in
Italy and try to educate them on ways that they
can contribute to conservation. "Spend 800 Eu-
ros for your next turtle if you really need it, but
set aside 40 of that for conservation."
What is your personal conservation
philosophy?
Turtles are better left in the wild and
protected in situ. On the other hand, if a certain
specimen could contribute to effective ex situ
conservation, I can understand. The important
thing is that we manage it in the right way.
cAssidy bRoWn
JoHnson
Hometown: Kerrville, Texas
Occupation: Conservation Associate at the
Houston Zoo. Cassidy works with the Houston
toad (Bufo houstonensis) in the captive propaga-
tion and headstart facility.
What first sparked your interest in
turtles?
I was always interested in reptiles, but it
wasn't until I was in college and I made good
friends with a guy who had rescued a male 3-toed
box turtle. The unfortunately named "Gladys"
followed us around the apartment and sat on our
textbooks when we did homework and from that
time on I was hooked on turtles.
What are your hobbies/interests?
Kayaking, gardening, biking, hiking, bird
watching; basically anything that involves me
being outside! And, I really love science: In recent
years I've decided that I want to put my passion
for science to work for conservation.
Do you have pets?
Yes, two dogs, a blue-tongued skink, two
3-toed box turtles, a White's (dumpy) tree frog,
a leopard gecko, and a bearded dragon. All are
rescues.
What do you enjoy about being a member
of the TSA?
I love the wealth of information the TSA
provides about so many species of turtles and
tortoises across the globe. I have really enjoyed
learning about these unique animals at TSA
conferences and through the newsletter. Orga-
nizations like the TSA give me hope that none of
these amazing creatures will fall to extinction.
Heather Lowe, hlowe@turtlesurvival.org
pHoto cRedit: MARco MARsili
pHoto cRedit: sHiVAs AMin
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 61 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
Anders Rhodin was born in Sweden but came to
the United States when he was 8 years old. His
undergraduate education was at Dartmouth Col-
lege, where he and Russ Mittermeier were dorm-
mates, friends, and co-adventurers, traveling
together to the Amazon in 1971 in search of mon-
keys and turtles. There, on a canoe trip with Russ
into the wilds along the Rio Negro, he was given
a small pet tortoise by a native familya gift that
transformed his life as he became increasingly
interested in caring for this animal and then
learning as much as he could about turtles and
tortoises. During this time it became evident that
he had two professional passions: medicine and
turtles, and a major career choice lay ahead.
After sage advice from his M.D./Ph.D father,
Johannes Rhodin, that a physician can always
work on turtles on the side, but a turtle biologist
can never be a part-time physician, he chose medi-
cine as his primary career but kept herpetology
and the study of turtles as a strong second profes-
sional avocation. He attended medical school first
at the University of Gteborg in Sweden, then at
New York Medical College, and ultimately re-
ceived his M.D. degree at the University of Michi-
gan. During this time he also spent considerable
time working at the Department of Herpetology at
the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard
University, under the informal mentorship of Er-
nest Williams, where he continued his collabora-
tive turtle work with Russ Mittermeier.
He completed his medical training and
worked for several months at a hospital in the
interior highlands of Papua New Guinea. This
not only fulfilled his medical training require-
ments, but also allowed Anders convenient access
to the turtle fauna of New Guinea and led to the
discovery and descriptions of the two new spe-
cies Chelodina parkeri and C. pritchardi, as well
as a series of publications on other turtles of the
New Guinea region. Other taxonomic research
on the side-necked turtles of the family Chelidae
eventually led to the descriptions of another
four new taxa from Roti, Indonesia, Timor-
Leste, and South America (Chelodina mccordi, C.
timorlestensis [now C. timorensis], Acanthochelys
macrocephala, and Phrynops williamsi). Most of
these were described in collaboration with Russ
Mittermeir, but some were solo productions and
others included other co-authors, including one
with Gerald Kuchling.
After his medical school work, Anders com-
pleted an internship and residency program in
orthopedic surgery at Yale University, where he
also pursued comparative anatomical research
on marine mammals and turtles with his mentor
there, John Ogden. While at Yale he made the
major discovery that leatherback turtles possess
thick vascularized cartilages, a most unusual and
important finding that he reported in the journal
Nature, and he provided anatomic and histologic
evidence for the mammalian-like rapid bone
growth in leatherback turtles as well as several
fossil marine turtles, including an important
article on the electron microscopy of these carti-
lage canal vessels co-authored with his electron
microscopist father, Johannes.
For several years he was also actively involved
in the study of nesting and migrating leatherback
sea turtles on Culebra, Puerto Rico, with Molly
Lutcavage, bringing the latest orthopedic surgical
techniques to bear on experimental satellite trans-
mitter attachments to leatherback turtle shells.
More recently he has been the lead author of the
annual checklist of turtles compiled by the Turtle
Taxonomy Working Group, helping to establish
a common baseline for turtle research as well as
attempting to stabilize and standardize nomen-
clatural and taxonomic issues concerning turtles.
Over the length of his career from the early 1970s
until now, he has published about 175 articles on
turtles and tortoises and co-edited several books.
Anders established Chelonian Research
Foundation (CRF) in 1992 to produce, publish
and support worldwide tortoise and turtle
research, with an emphasis on the scientific basis
Anders G.J. Rhodin
an Appreciation
Russell A. Mittermeier and Peter Paul van Dijk
b e h l e r awa r d
Anders Rhodin with Lonesome George, the last survivor of the recently extinct Pinta Island Giant Tortoise, Chelonoidis
abingdonii, at the Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, in 1982. Photo by Peter Pritchard.
august 2012 62 turtle survival
of chelonian diversity and conservation biology.
His love of books and journals and his editorial
skills, combined with the need for a dedicated
publication venue for scholarly articles on the
biology and conservation of turtles, inspired
him to establish the professional peer-reviewed
journal Chelonian Conservation and Biology
(CCB) in 1993. The journal has been a major
success and has at times achieved one of the
highest ISI impact factors of any herpetological
journal worldwide. Every issue is eagerly awaited
by turtle researchers and conservationists, and
pdf's whiz across email networks soon after
publication. Publication management of CCB was
transferred to Allen Press a few years ago, clearly
demonstrating how frugal and economical
Anders was when its production and distribution
were managed in-house solely by himself.
In addition, CRF publishes the occasional
series Chelonian Research Monographs (CRM),
including the loose-leaf Conservation Biology
of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises (CBFTT)
accounts, and the Turtle and Tortoise Newslet-
ter (TTN) from 2000 to 2011. Both CBFTT and
TTN are open access and freely downloadable by
anyone worldwide. The CRM series has produced
such important works as the Galapagos Tortoises
by Anders' friend and co-traveler Peter Pritchard,
and the Asian Turtle Trade co-edited with his
friends and collaborators Peter Paul van Dijk and
Bryan Stuart. The latter volume became the clar-
ion call and best-documented source identifying
the rapidly expanding consumptive turtle trade
in Asia, and was used by CITES as its roadmap
for improving trade regulations in the region in
an effort to control and minimize the devastating
damage to turtle populations caused by this trade.
Through Chelonian Research Foundation,
Anders has also provided direct support for
turtle research and conservation through his
personal Linnaeus Fund, named in honor of the
Swedish founder of modern systematics who also
described turtles over two centuries earlier. Over
the 20 years of the Fund's existence to date, it has
funded 118 projects around the world for over
$140,000 in support.
Anders Rhodin devotes much of his time
and efforts to working with others in the turtle
conservation community, both marine and
terrestrial and freshwater. He has been a long-
term member of the IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle
Specialist Group and was a Board Member of
the International Sea Turtle Society. He was a
founding member of the IUCN/SSC Freshwater
Chelonian Specialist Group in 1981, and served
as Deputy Chair of the combined Tortoise and
Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG)
from 19912000, as Co-Chair with John Behler
during 20002005, and as Chair from 2005 to
2012. He was instrumental in helping to establish
the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) in 2001 with
Rick Hudson, Kurt Buhlmann, and others, and
the Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF) in 2002
with Russ Mittermeier, Walter Sedgwick, Kurt
Buhlmann, Rick Hudson, and others, and con-
tinues to serve on the Board of Directors of these
organizations, currently Co-Chairing the TCF
with Hugh Quinn, as well as being a Chairman's
Council member of Conservation International
with Russ Mittermeier, and a Board member of
the Turtle Conservancy with Eric Goode.
He has also been a member of a variety of
IUCN and CITES leadership committees, includ-
ing the Steering and Red List Committees of the
Species Survial Commission with Simon Stuart
and Jeff McNeely and the Advisory Board of the
Mohamed bin Zayed Endangered Species Conser-
vation Fund with Russ Mittermeier. In February
of this year, the IUCN Species Survival Commis-
sion honored him for his long-standing efforts
on behalf of turtle and tortoise conservation by
presenting him with the Sir Peter Scott Award for
Conservation Merit, the most senior SSC award.
Of particular note have been his continu-
ous efforts to build a series of comprehensive,
coordinated and strategic alliances among the
various organizations and individuals engaged in
turtle conservation, including the establishment
of the Turtle Conservation Fund and the Turtle
Conservation Coalition. Equally noteworthy is his
appreciation of the role that policy and laws can
play in turtle conservation, and his resulting tire-
less engagement with and support for efforts to
extend the protection of CITES and United States
federal laws to tortoises and freshwater turtles.
Throughout his lifetime of involvement with
turtle biology and conservation, Anders Rhodin
has placed collaboration and encouragement at
the core of his activities. He has seen himself as
being a facilitator and an organizer, as well as a
cheerleader, devoted to helping bring the inter-
national turtle community closer together and to
growing an increasingly effective ground-swell of
support and action and inspiring it to reach new
heights of collaboration and success in its efforts.
His signature advice to all of us in the turtle con-
servation community, in his oft-repeated poetic
litany inspired by Robert Frost, has always been
that "we must work together, I tell you from the
heart, whether we work together, or apart."
Engaging and empowering promising young
scientists at home and abroad has also been, and
continues to be, a hallmark of his career and a
foundation for his CRF Linnaeus Fund annual
turtle grants. In addition, Anders and CRF have
encouraged student scholarship by funding Stu-
dent Presentation Awards for many years at both
the International Sea Turtle Symposium and
more recently at the Annual Symposium of the
Turtle Survival Alliance and the TFTSG.
This past year, in order to devote more time
and effort to his practice of orthopedic surgery
as well as to his personal life and interest in
his roots in Sweden, Anders began a process of
gradually stepping down from his various turtle
endeavors. He transferred CCB editorial respon-
sibilities to Jeff Seminoff, Jeff Lovich, and Peter
Lindeman, and stepped down from his position
as TFTSG Chair to encourage Peter Paul van
Dijk and Brian Horne to become Co-Chairs, and
resigned from the IUCN/SSC Steering Commit-
tee. He did this with the clear understanding that
the best time to step down is when one is still at
the peak of one's abilities and still able to mentor
and shepherd new leadership into positions of
influence. By facilitating the next generation
of turtle people into conservation and editorial
leadership, as Chairman Emeritus of the TFTSG,
and by remaining a Board member of many of the
organizations he helped found and support, his
guidance and influence will continue to validate
his outstanding achievements as an inspiring
turtle conservation and research leader.
Anders Rhodin in the llanos of southern Venezuela,
2010, collecting Savanna Sideneck Turtles,
Podocnemis vogli. Photo by russ MitterMeier.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 63 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
d o n o r r e c o g n i t i o n
Supporters donating $200 - $499
Hersh Markusfeld, James Glassco, Jean
Iaderosa, Ralph Till, Jr., Tom Ashford, Seneca Park
Zoo Society, Andrew Luk, Baltimore Zoo, Donna
Day, Emily Rhine, HATZH Donation Fund, Jeffrey
Lang, John Gannon, Raymond King, Robert Olsen,
Sheala Finch, Thomas Radzio, Tom Motlow, Wil-
liam and Stephanie Turner, Andrea Grant, Michael
Dreslik, Russell Burke, Jeff Mitchell, Joe Flanagan
Supporters donating $500 to $2499
AAZK - Galveston Chapter, AAZK - Rocky
Mountain Chapter, Albuquerque BioPark, Anthony
Pierlioni, BC Johnson Family LP, Bill Holmstrom, Bill
Zeigler, Bruce Weber, Cleveland AAZK, Colin Poole,
Dallas World Aquarium, Dave Manser, Deb Behler,
Dickerson Park Zoo, Dwight Lawson, Endangered
Madagascar, Eugene Herrmann, George Meyer,
Harris Rosen Foundation, Herpetofauna Founda-
tion, Holohil Systems, Ltd, Jacksonville Zoo, James
Breheny, John Bailey, Kristin Berry, Linda Gould,
Los Angeles Zoo, Nathan Haislip, Oklahoma City
Zoological Park, Peter Woodman, Ray Saumure,
Reptiles Magazine, Richard Hudson, Robin de Bled,
Ross Popenoe, Russ Gurley, Scott Davis, SDZ Insti-
tute for Conservation Research, Sedgwick County
Zoological Society, Tim Gregory, Turtle and Tortoise
Care Society, Turtles and Tortoises,Inc., Zoo Miami
Supporters donating $2500 to $7,499
Anders Rhodin, Andre Prost, Inc., AZA Radi-
ated Tortoise SSP, Brett Stearns, David Shapiro,
Disney's Animal Kingdom, John Iverson, Matt
Frankel, Nature's Own, San Diego Zoo, Taipei For-
estry Bureau, Toronto Zoo, Turtle Conservancy,
Walter Sedgwick, William Dennler, WWF Canada/
Patricia Koval, Zoo Atlanta
Supporters donating
$7,500 to $19,999
Brian Bolton, British Chelonia Group, Cleve-
land Metroparks Zoo, Columbus Zoo, Conserva-
tion International, Disney Wildlife Conservation
Fund, Fagus Foundation, Frank Slavens, Kadoorie
Farm and Botanic Garden, Natural Encoun-
ters Conservation Fund, Owen Griffiths, Walde
Research & Environmental Consulting, Wildlife
Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, Zoo
Med Laboratories, Inc.
Supporters donating $20,000 or more
Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, Beneficia
Foundation
2012 Conference Sponsors
Brett and Nancy Stearns, David Shapiro, Ho-
lohil Systems, Ltd., IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater
Turtle Specialist Group, John Bailey, John Iverson,
Kristin Berry, Sonotronics, Surprise Spring Foun-
dation, Turtle Conservancy, Waterland Tubs, Zoo
Med Laboratories, Inc.
2012 Behler Turtle Conservation
Award Sponsors
Chelonian Research Foundation, Turtle
Conservancy, Deborah Behler, Conservation
International, Wildlife Conservation Society,
Brett and Nancy Stearns
The TSA would also like to extend special thanks
to the following members who have found unique
ways to support turtle conservation:
Sheena Koeth sold merchandise on the behalf
of the TSA throughout the year, raising funds for
turtle conservation.
Eric Goode and the Maritime Hotel provided
special assistance to the TSA again this year by
hosting the annual Board of Directors meeting.
His hospitality and generosity is very much ap-
preciated.
Curtis Ippolito and Glenn Scherer provided
editorial services for Turtle Survival, with Matt
Welnack coordinating design and layout.
Cassidy Johnson, Stefanie Spivey and Rachel
Rommel provided invaluable support in launching
the TSA Kids Club as contributing authors.
Robert Villa, Michael and Emily Hance,
Sheena Koeth, Rose Tremblay, Wendy Crofut and
Nancy Reinert returned as our all-star volunteer
team for the 2012 symposium.
Ben Anders, Molly Culnane and Ann
Hirschfeld shared their artistic skills and provided
us with t-shirt designs and other graphic design
help throughout the year.
Thank you for your support!
There are many ways that YOU can contribute to turtle
conservation and support the TSA's mission of zero
turtle extinctions. Visit the TSA website to learn about
how you can:
Make a Donation Donations can be dedicated to a
specific project or program, just let us know what
you'd like to support!
Purchase Equipment Check out the TSA's "wish
list" to purchase equipment that is needed by our
staff in the field.
Adopt a Turtle By symbolically adopting an endan-
gered species for yourself or as a gift, you can support turtle conservation globally.
Join the TSA Become a member of the TSA or buy a gift membership for a friend.
Support the TSA at No Cost to You! There are several programs available in which
you can support the TSA's mission by doing what you do every day shopping, bank-
ing or selling items on eBay.
Shop for the Cause Visit the TSA's online store to purchase t-shirts, art, publications
or other merchandise to support conservation projects around the world.
www.turtlesurvival.org
The TSA gratefully acknowledges the following donors and organizations for their generous support over the past year (July 2011-July 2012):
How Can You Help?
ANSWER KEY fRoM PAGE 21
One of the newest t-shirt
designs in the TSA's online store,
designed by Ben Anders.
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8
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16
1. G. sabinensis; 2. G. geographica; 3. G. caglei
4, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15 G. flavimaculata
5, 14 G. pulchra; 6, 7 G. ps. kohni
10, 11, 16 G. n. delticola
august 2011 64 turtle survival
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 65 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org
With the recent passing of Lonesome George, the Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora),
now has the unfortunate distinction of being the world's rarest tortoise. And while the
remnant wild populations continue to wither under unrelenting black market collecting
pressures, there is at least some good news from the captive side. Ex situ captive populations
are finally being assembled in both the U.S. and Europe, built from animals confiscated from
the illegal trade in Asia. In March 2012 the TSA imported eight young tortoises from Kadoorie
Farm and Botanic Garden in Hong Kong, that now reside at zoos in Atlanta and Knoxville. They
augment the group of ten animals imported by the Turtle Conservancy in 2011, bringing the
total U.S. captive population to 1.2.16. In time this captive nucleus will expand and serve as
a backup to Durrell's successful captive program in Madagascar. Regrettably because of the
threat of poaching and theft, each tortoise both wild and captive must be permanently and
visibly etched with a prominent mark on the carapace. That such defacing of these beautiful
tortoises has become necessary is a sad commentary on this species' precarious future.
Photo Credit: Phil ColClough
Publication
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