DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
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DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
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RICK HUDSON AND RICK HILLS
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
A Transitional Year for the TSA
How many guys named “Rick H” does an
organization need? For the TSA the answer
is two. In August, Rick Hills took over as
CEO/Executive Director, assuming manage-
ment of the day-to-day operations of the
TSA, with Rick Hudson staying on as Presi-
dent of the Board. Both Ricks are focused
on fundraising. Hills has moved to Charles-
ton, South Carolina, where he is overseeing
both our three-person staff of Jan Holloway,
Jordan Gray, and Emily Kiefner in our new
office, opened in 2017, and our five-person
staff at our Turtle Survival Center (TSC) in
nearby Cross.
Hills is negotiating a steep learning curve,
as he works to understand the complexities
and the myriad of personalities that make
up an organization global in scope. There
are a lot of moving pieces within the TSA
and many of us juggle many responsibilities
with a lot of balls in the air at any given
time of day.
The transition to Charleston has been years
in the making. Since we opened the TSC,
we have been cognizant of the need to
make ourselves better known in the greater
Charleston community. We believe there is
great fundraising potential in the Lowcountry
of South Carolina. The TSC represents our
greatest asset in terms of bringing what we
do globally home to local people. One of
Rick Hills’ most important goals is to guide
that process and to ensure that the TSA name
is as familiar to South Carolinians, indeed lay
people everywhere, as it is to turtle conserva-
tionists and enthusiasts around the world.
The Lowcountry citizenry is environmental-
ly aware. It appreciates the region’s natural
beauty and its gorgeous coastline. Many
different volunteer groups are involved in
nest watch and health monitoring activities
for the different species of sea turtles of the
region. The South Carolina Aquarium has
a world-renowned facility that cares for
injured sea turtles and the TSC is fortunate
enough to get to share their amazing vet-
erinary services. Our hope is to expand on
the existing local sea turtles awareness by
introducing people to the work done locally
and globally at the TSC.
One of Hills’ happiest discoveries has been
how receptive Lowcountry people are to
the TSA and to the presence of the TSC. “I
didn’t know that!” is a regular, pleasantly
surprised reaction to a description of our
work. The challenge ahead is to translate
that receptiveness into support for the TSA’s
programs, one Hills is excited to tackle
head-on.
RICK HUDSON
RICK HILLS
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 01
ABOUT THE COVER: The TSA and our partners were overwhelmed with Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) confiscations in
Madagascar in 2018, but we rose to the challenge. Massive rescue efforts presented an all hands on deck response. By year’s end
we had triaged and provided long-term care for nearly 18,000 of these iconic tortoises. As a result, new partnerships were formed,
existing ones strengthened, and an enhanced facility brought to life in Lavavolo. Needless to say, the trajectory for this species’ wild
survival in Madagascar presents a grim future. This species faces functional extinction in the wild in the next 20 years unless the all-out
assault on the tortoise and its habitat is stopped. To save this species from becoming the next on a long list of those that have disap-
peared from their native land, a full-scale, multi-national conservation initiative must be taken on their behalf. The time is now. See full
story pp.19 PHOTO CREDIT: MARK LEWANDOWSKI
BOARD MEMBERS
Andre Daneault
William Dennler
Susie Ellis, PhD
Michael Fouraker
Tim Gregory, PhD
Brian Horne, PhD
Rick Hudson, President
John Iverson, PhD
Patricia Koval, LLD, Chair
Dwight Lawson, PhD, Vice-President
Kim Lovich
Lonnie McCaskill
John Mitchell
Russ Mittermeier, PhD
Hugh Quinn, PhD
Anders Rhodin, MD
Walter Sedgwick
Frank Slavens
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Richard M. Hills
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Andrew Walde
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Jordan Gray
David Hedrick
Jan Holloway
Emily Kiefner
TURTLE SURVIVAL CENTER STAFF
Carol Alvarez, RMA, NCPT
Clinton Doak
John Greene
Cris Hagen
Nathan Haislip, MS
RANGE COUNTRY PROGRAM LEADERS
German Forero-Medina, PhD
Kalyar Platt, PhD
Herilala Randriamahazo, PhD
Shailendra Singh, PhD
Turtle Survival Alliance © 2018
TURTLE SURVIVAL
ALLIANCE
instagram.com/TurtleSurvival
facebook.com/TurtleSurvival
twitter.com/TurtleSurvival
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
Inside Cover – From the President’s Desk
6 – Where Have All the Turtles Gone?
8 – Bog Turtles
10 – Turtle Survival Center
58 – The Big Turtle Year
RANGE COUNTY UPDATES
EXCLUSIVES, NEWS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PARTNER NEWS
2 – Meet the Staff
4 – Board Updates
62 – Behler Award
64 – Indianapolis Prize
66 – Member Spotlights
68 – Outreach
75 – Donor Recognition
16 – NAFTRG
19 – Madagascar (Cover Story)
27 – Bangladesh (Creative Conservation
Alliance)
29 – Bangladesh (Batagur baska Project)
31 – India
35 – Myanmar
42 – Indonesia (Sumatra)
44 – Indonesia (Sulawesi)
45 – Vietnam (Rafetus swinhoei)
47 – China
49 – Belize
52 – Colombia
56 – Cambodia
3 – Partners
5 – TSA Partner News
60 – TSA Europe
69 – Brewery Partnerships
74 – theTurtleRoom
Contents of this publication should be cited as: Author. (2018) Article Title. Turtle Survival, pp. xx-xx.
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
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MEET THE STAFF
JAN HOLLOWAY
Jan Holloway is originally from Pulaski, a small town in upstate New York near
Lake Ontario, and has been a lover of all animals since a very young age. Her
true passion was horses though, which led her to earning her AAS in Equine
Studies from Cazenovia College, NY before continuing her education, earning
her BA in English, Creative Writing. After graduating in 1988, she moved to
South Carolina to take a position as the Breeding Manager at a large Saddlebred
horse farm outside of Columbia, SC. She later explored other career fields
including Sales/Marketing, Print Media, and Publishing. Most recently, before
accepting her position as Administrative Coordinator at the Turtle Survival
Alliance in December 2017, she was the Activity Coordinator at another local
non-profit agency for nearly five years. She has always been a reptile enthusiast,
and lizards, aquatic turtles, and snakes have been among her most recent pets.
Jan also currently serves as Board Secretary.
JOHN GREENE
Another Upstate New York native, John joined the TSA in March 2018 as our
newest Chelonian Keeper. Beginning with turtles found in ponds near his
house at the age of 5, John has held a lifelong fascination with chelonians.
This fascination led to honing his skills in turtle husbandry, to which he has
dedicated the last 43 years of his life. Prior to his employment by the TSA
however, chelonian keeping and their conservation was a hobby. After at-
tending Florida State University, John moved to Southern California where he
entered the professional construction sector. The trade skills acquired in this
sector significantly add to our ability to expand the Turtle Survival Center’s
infrastructure and animal care apparatuses and mechanisms. While John has
a strong interest in all genera of chelonians, the Asian box turtles of the genus
Cuora are his favorite, with a particular interest in the Southern Vietnam Box
Turtle (Cuora picturata).
EMILY KIEFNER
Emily Joined the TSA in September 2018 as Administrative Assistant. No
stranger to the South Carolina Lowcountry, Emily has lived in Charleston for
the last ten years where she has worked as a Program and Administrative
Assistant and Office Manager for various establishments. Prior to relocating to
the Lowcountry, she lived in numerous states and countries abroad, including
England and Germany. A graduate of Dickinson College in Pennsylvania with a
dual-degree in International Business and Management, and German Studies,
she later obtained her Paralegal Degree here in Charleston. When she is not
working toward our commitment of “zero turtle extinctions,” Emily loves to
travel, play tennis, and ride horses. Her diverse background and work experi-
ence has enabled her to quickly fill her role at the TSA.
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PARTNERS
Partners are the Key to Our Success
The Turtle Survival Alliance is proud to acknowledge the following organizations that make our work possible. The organizations
listed here provide a range of services supporting our mission, including guidance, networking, strategic planning, funding,
husbandry, rescue, animal management, marketing and public relations, field research, logistical and technical support, salaried
positions, and other resources.
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TSA Welcomes New Board Member
This year the TSA welcomed Brian D. Horne, PhD, to our Board of Directors while bidding farewell
to Colin Poole and Jim Breheny, all of whom represent the Wildlife Conservation Society. Both Colin
and Jim have been strong supporters of the TSA since its inception, and we thank them for their years
of service toward our mission. Likewise, Brian has also been heavily involved with the TSA since its
early days, serving as an active member of TSA’s leadership committees for many years. With a focus
on the turtles of Southeast Asia, Brian brings a wealth of knowledge regarding their status and conser-
vation and will greatly bolster our influence in the region.
BRIAN HORNE, PHD
Brian has held a life-long love for reptiles. It all began with his first pet snake at the age of 4, and he has
provided care for “herps” ever since. In pursuing his interest in herpetology, Brian attended Virginia Tech,
where undergraduate mentor, Dr. Robin Andrews, encouraged him to explore reptile natural history. Later in his undergraduate career, he would
become a student researcher under Dr. Carola Haas, performing field work with Bog Turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) in southwestern Virginia.
Following undergrad, Brian earned his Master of Science, studying nesting behavior of the Yellow-blotched Map Turtle (Graptemys flavi-
maculata), under Dr. Richard A. Seigel. Continuing his advanced education, Brian joined Dr. Willem Roosenburg’s lab at Ohio University
in pursuit of a PhD and, at the encouragement of Dr. Richard Vogt, studied the White-lipped Mud Turtles (Kinosternon leucostomum) of
southern Mexico, creating a predictive model for embryonic diapause in this species. Upon completing his dissertation, Brian accepted a
postdoc position at the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research, where his focus centered on developing a conservation pro-
gram for the Red-crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga) in India. This work would become the genesis of the TSA’s India program.
Currently, Brian is the Coordinator of Freshwater Turtle and Tortoise Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) where he
oversees programs across the globe, with a notable emphasis in Southeast Asia and Latin America. In this role, Brian continues to inte-
grate field research and animal husbandry to advance the conservation of the world’s most endangered chelonians, with the ultimate goal
of restoring species to their full ecological function across their former range. He sees the key to success lying in a better understanding of
reintroduction biology, and working with countries to protect their species from habitat loss and illicit trade.
ABOUT THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE
“Zero turtle extinctions in the 21st century”
– a bold pledge by an emboldened group
of chelonian conservationists. The Turtle
Survival Alliance (TSA) is in its 17th
year of this commitment to the tortoise
and freshwater turtle species of the six
continents on which they reside. Created
in 2001 in response to “The Asian Turtle
Crisis,” the title given to the rampant and
unsustainable harvest of Asian turtles, the
TSA has since expanded to create a global
chelonian conservation network.
During its first four years, the TSA operated
as a task force for the IUCN’s (World Con-
servation Union) Tortoise and Freshwater
Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG). In 2005,
the TSA sought independent 501(c)(3)
nonprofit status, with a home base at the
Fort Worth Zoo, Texas. As the TSA’s global
reach grew, so did its need for restructuring,
and a Board of Directors was instituted in
2009. With this growth also came the need
for the construction of a facility to house and
provide assurance colonies for some of the
world’s most endangered species of chelo-
nians. Thus, the Turtle Survival Center, now
home to 700 specimens, was created in the
backwoods of coastal South Carolina.
The Turtle Survival Alliance continues to
be a global force in the effort to provide
dynamic in situ and ex situ conservation
initiatives including breeding programs,
assurance colonies, and management plans;
field research and culturally sensitive
conservation initiatives; hands on, readable,
and viewable public outreach; and sharing
information, techniques, and communica-
tion throughout the chelonian conservation
community. Through working collabora-
tions with zoos, aquariums, universities,
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.
As anthropogenic threats such as habitat
loss, poaching, and pollution continue to
wreak havoc on turtle and tortoise popula-
tions worldwide, the TSA is committed,
now more than ever, to fight for the preser-
vation of these animals.
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Last year, the Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF)
and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conser-
vation Fund (MBZ) each marked significant
milestones in reaching the one-million-dollar
mark for dedicated turtle and tortoise conser-
vation funding. Both funds have continued
their loyalty to turtle and tortoise conservation
support over the past year. One of the recent
projects supported by both funds has had
some very welcome results: the rediscovery of
a nearly extinct species, the Nubian Flapshell
Turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans), along the White
Nile in South Sudan.
This large softshell species has been assessed
by the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle
Specialist Group to be one of the most critically
endangered turtles in the world, literally teeter-
ing on the brink of extinction. There have been
no sightings of any animals in the wild for sev-
eral decades, and the only known captive died
in a private U.S. collection in 2012. The historic
distribution of the species was in the Sub-
Saharan Sahel region, in a series of apparently
disjunct populations extending from Ghana to
South Sudan, but with no current evidence of
persistence in most of its range. Several focused
field surveys over the years by Luca Luiselli
and associates in Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria, and
supported by TCF and MBZ, as well as others,
have provided discouraging results—no Nubian
Flapshell Turtles were discovered.
Raising hopes of rediscovery, support from
TCF to Patrick Baker in 2014 resulted in
preliminary interview reports of the possible
continued presence of C. elegans in South
Sudan, however, no animals were found
(though descriptions by local fishermen were
quite precise). Further support to pursue these
preliminary reports, as well as to collect data
on the distribution and abundance of other
turtle species in South Sudan, was provided to
Luiselli and colleagues Gift Simon Demaya
and Tomas Diagne by both TCF and MBZ
again in 2017. The local South Sudan team
also included John Sebit Benansio and Thomas
Francis Lado from the University of Juba.
Field work by this team in South Sudan has
now confirmed the continued survival of a
small population of C. elegans in the White
Nile (and records of 9 other turtle and tortoise
species). The hopeful news of rediscovery of
this nearly extinct species must be tempered by
the fact that this remnant population is under
severe threat from local exploitation and con-
sumption as well as habitat loss. Continued ex-
ploitation of this population is sure to continue
unless new protective measures are initiated.
The creation of a novel protected area for
the section of the White Nile in which they
inhabit is being considered in conjunc-
tion with the Government of South Sudan
and with the support of Rainforest Trust.
Furthermore, Luiselli is pursuing additional
survey work to establish size and density
of the population and to document habitat
preferences. Establishing a captive breed-
ing program in South Sudan and perhaps
elsewhere also needs to be considered.
ABOUT THE TCF AND MBZ:
The TCF was founded in 2002 by the IUCN
Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist
Group, Turtle Survival Alliance, and Conserva-
tion International. Through August 2018 it has
provided funding for 250 projects focused on
turtles and tortoises, at an average of $4,352 per
project, for a total disbursement of $1,088,000.
The MBZ was founded in 2008 by His
Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and
through September 2018 has provided a
total of about $17.5 million in grants to
1800+ projects. Of these, 111 projects have
focused on turtles and tortoises, at an aver-
age of $9,910 per project, for a total turtle
disbursement of $1,100,000.
Both TCF and MBZ greatly value the support
of the turtle conservation community in our
efforts and we are honored and pleased to be
able to provide as much support as we do for
so many of the critically important front-line
and on-the-ground efforts on behalf of global
turtle conservation. By continuing to expand
and grow our capacity for providing support,
we hope to make an increasingly important
impact on all turtle conservation efforts. Please
consider submitting your grant proposals to
us at www.turtleconservationfund.org and
www.speciesconservation.org.
Acknowledgements: 1Turtle Conserva-
tion Fund; 2Mohamed bin Zayed Species
Conservation Fund
TSA PARTNER NEWS
Supporting the Rediscovery of the Nubian Flapshell
Turtle: Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF) and Mohamed
bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ)
Anders G.J. Rhodin1,2, Hugh R. Quinn1, Russell A. Mittermeier1,2, Nicolas Heard2, Frederic Launay2, and Razan Al Mubarak2
A live but previously damaged Nubian Flapshell
Turtle captured in September 2018 in the White
Nile, South Sudan, about to be butchered for local
consumption. PHOTO CREDIT: GIFT SIMON DEMAYA
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
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FEATURE
Throughout our careers, now spanning
more than 100 cumulative years, people
consistently ask us the same questions when
they find out we are conducting research on
turtles: 1) why do you study turtles, and 2)
why are turtles important? It is often easiest
to put on our “scientist hats” and tell them
that doing so provides important informa-
tion to resource managers to recover or
Where Have All the Turtles Gone and Why Does It Matter?
Jeffrey E. Lovich, Joshua R. Ennen, Mickey Agha, and J. Whitfield Gibbons
A female Southwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys pallida) from the Mojave River of California. This isolated population has declined precipitously since the
1990s. PHOTO CREDIT: JEFFREY LOVICH
better conserve turtle populations. If that
doesn’t satisfy them, we sometimes turn to
a long list of turtle superlatives including
statements like, turtles are in a lineage that
is over 200 million years old, they survived
the extinction of the dinosaurs, many spe-
cies have embryonic sex determined by
incubation temperature, females can store
viable sperm for years, or other captivating
facts about turtles. Some people walk away
satisfied while others remain mystified by
our fascination with turtles.
There are certainly other reasons why
people study or conserve turtles. Some
simply like turtles, perhaps because of a
memorable childhood experience with these
marvelous creatures. Others study turtles
to learn how to better conserve them since
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almost 60% of the world’s 357 turtle spe-
cies are threatened or have become extinct
since the year 1500. Moral, esthetic, or legal
arguments are additional rationales given
by some for protecting turtles. Turtles are
remarkable and beautiful animals, and some
are protected as threatened or endangered
species under penalty of law. In addition,
turtles have value to humans culturally, as a
food resource, via tourism value (e.g., Galá-
pagos Islands), and increasingly as pets. In
a recent article (Lovich, J.E., J.R. Ennen, M.
Agha, and J.W. Gibbons. 2018. Where have
all the turtles gone, and why does it matter?
BioScience.), we provide a new paradigm
by assessing the ecological value of turtles.
Ecological value can be defined as the worth
attributed to a plant or animal in terms of
their benefits to the environment. Think of the
ecological value of trees to us as an example.
By maintaining healthy forests, we get access
to economically important products like wood
and paper. Turtles also have value to the
ecosystems they occupy, including to humans
who share those same environments in many
cases. In our BioScience article, we bring
attention to the global plight of turtles and
identify what we will lose from an ecological
perspective as populations continue to decline
and species disappear.
Before humans caused widespread declines
of turtle populations, due primarily to
overharvest and habitat destruction, turtles
often occurred in very large numbers and
had high biomass in the various ecosystems
they occupied. As a result, they made valu-
able contributions to soil processes, mineral,
nutrient and energy cycling, scavenging of
carrion, and seed dispersal and germina-
tion enhancement of various plants. For
example, many turtles propagate plants
across the landscape by eating and defecat-
ing seeds that remain viable after passing
through their digestive tracts. Aquatic turtles
transport seeds of plants such as water lilies.
Box turtles and tortoises disperse the seeds
of numerous terrestrial plants. In addition,
some tortoises dig burrows that turn over
the soil, making minerals and nutrients
available to other animals and plants. In ad-
dition, those same burrows provide shelter
for hundreds of other commensal species,
many of which cannot dig burrows by them-
selves. Other turtles are important scaven-
gers that keep waterways cleaned of dead
aquatic organisms including fish. Turtles
are even being used to restore degraded
ecosystems in places like the Galápagos
Islands where their numbers were greatly
reduced over time. As turtle populations
continue to decline worldwide, these known
ecological roles are greatly diminished
with incompletely-known consequences for
ecosystem health and the survival of other
species, especially those that have commen-
sal relationships with turtles.
A fundamental question is, why is public
awareness of declining turtle populations
and the importance of healthy turtle popula-
tions lagging relative to other charismatic
species? There are three possible explana-
tions. First, reptiles are generally not as
well-liked as mammals and birds by the
public. However, turtles are the only reptiles
that are generally admired and even elevated
as cultural icons (e.g., the fable of The Tor-
toise and the Hare, Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles). Second, shifting baselines obscure
what has been lost in the past. People born
into a world with few turtles accept that
as a new norm. Third, is what we call the
“perception of persistence.” Since many
turtle species can live a long time, popula-
tions that are not reproductively viable can
consist of surviving adults that persist for
decades before they too eventually die, with
no recruitment of juveniles for the future.
Many turtle populations continue to slide
toward extinction around the world and the
ecological consequences are still not fully
understood. It would be a sad world indeed
without turtles, the only animals that ever
lived with their shoulders and hips inside the
rib cage. They are arguably nature’s greatest
success story, having outlived the dinosaurs
by a wide margin. Will they outlive us?
Contact: Jeffrey Lovich, U.S. Geological
Survey, Southwest Biological Science
Center, 2255 N. Gemini Drive, MS-9394,
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-1600, USA; [ jeffrey_
lovich@usgs.gov]
Energy in nutrients transferred from marine to terrestrial environments by nesting sea turtles is now
greatly diminished with worldwide reductions in sea turtle populations. Note that only about one quar-
ter of total energy transferred to beaches is returned to the marine environment in hatchlings.
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
08
FEATURE
Bog Turtles (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) in the
disjunct southern portion of their range exist in
idyllic mountain fens, seeps, and wet meadows.
Since the arrival of Europeans, approximately
90% of these rare habitats have been destroyed.
Despite this significant habitat loss, the south-
ern population network has historically been
considered a stronghold for Bog Turtles. The
viability of the populations that make up this
network is likely critical to long-term survival
of the species.
Unfortunately, the demographic character-
istics of our most intensively studied sites
Bern Tryon Grant: Southern Bog Turtle
Research and Management 2018
Mike Knoerr and Dr. Cassie Dresser
in North Carolina (NC) and Tennessee
(TN) suggest population-level declines. For
example, annual adult survival for these NC
populations is low (0.86 – 0.94, Tutterow et
al. 2017) when compared to northern Bog
Turtle populations and other turtle species.
Field observations and skewed age class
distributions suggest that egg and juvenile
survivorship is low. These populations are
often dominated by old turtles with few/
no juveniles observed in recent decades.
Although an aging demographic is character-
istic of most sites, high egg survival (>50%
annually) and a high proportion of juveniles
(>40% of encounters) have been observed in
two stable NC populations. Analysis suggests
that high survival at the beginning stages of
life contributes to the stability and growth of
these populations.
Although we have made strides in under-
standing drivers of decline, the mechanism(s)
behind these demographic trends are not fully
understood. At Bern Tryon’s TN site, where
the entire known population is comprised of
captive-bred, head started, and wild raised
adult turtles, wild recruitment has not been
observed, despite nearly 30 years of trans-
A gravid female Bog Turtle, western North Carolina. PHOTO CREDIT: MIKE KNOERR (CLEMSON UNIVERSITY)
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 09
location efforts. At some of the “aging” NC
sites, catastrophic nest predation, particularly
by human-subsidized mesopredators, has
been documented in recent years. Based on
current trends, some NC populations may be
experiencing 6-10% annual decline and the
TN population may face extinction without
continued stocking efforts. While vital rates
certainly fluctuate in any given year, multiple
decades of encounter data suggest that it is
improbable for these declining populations to
stabilize on their own.
With a handful of questions and objectives
in mind (and support by the TSA’s Bern
Tryon Grant), we (Dr. Cassie Dresser at
Michigan State and Mike Knoerr in Clem-
son University’s Barrett Lab) joined forces
to better understand drivers of recruitment
failure and to implement applied manage-
ment. Cassie spent the summer working in
Bern Tryon’s TN site, the same site where
she had spent years studying the popula-
tion as part of her PhD dissertation. Ac-
companied by her undergraduate research
assistant, Sarah Klein, and supported by
Zoo Knoxville staff, they set out to find
and track gravid turtles in order to locate
their nests. To assess drivers of nest fate, a
subset of nests was protected with predator
excluder cages, while others were left undis-
turbed. Furthermore, nests were monitored
using wildlife cameras to identify potential
nest predators and inform future predator
management. Mike and his technician Cody
Davis spent most of their season work-
ing with two “aging” populations in NC
(with additional support from the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission,
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and
NC-The Nature Conservancy). Their goal
was to assess the effectiveness of in situ
recruitment augmentation and habitat resto-
ration at increasing survival and population-
level stability. This field work included:
caging nests with excluders, building
solar-powered electric fences around core
nesting areas, mesopredator trapping, and
hydrological/vegetative restoration.
Preliminary observations at Bern Tryon’s
TN site differ from those made in NC.
While most female turtles of adequate size
and health in NC become gravid annually
(>90%), <50% of the females monitored at
Bern’s site became gravid in 2018, a trend
observed across multiple field seasons. Why
comparatively fewer females produce eggs
here has yet to be determined. As of this writ-
ing, four eggs from the five nests monitored
have hatched. The remaining eggs have
either not yet hatched or appear infertile.
We anticipate that these data and the ques-
tions they generate will help us better assess
whether Bern’s population has the capacity to
become self-sustaining long term.
In NC, 27 nests were found across three
sites. Results from the management efforts
look promising as predation, the primary
driver of failure in 2016/2017, was reduced
to nearly zero. Photos and video suggest
that the electric fences and nest cages
were effective at excluding a multitude
of predators. Gravid turtles successfully
nested in areas cleared of woody vegeta-
tion. Egg survival was fairly high (64%)
with 65 hatchlings having been marked and
released. This is likely the largest cohort of
hatchlings to survive in decades. Many of
these hatchlings have since been observed
active in newly inundated areas created via
hydrological restoration efforts.
Bog Turtles offer a unique challenge to those
dedicated to saving them. While facing the
acute problems inherent in avoiding extir-
pation, we have arrived at a place where
we must consider pragmatic and imperfect
solutions. In best case scenarios, research and
management efforts like these implemented
in TN and NC may help stabilize popula-
tions. In precipitously declining populations,
they may be only stop-gap measures that
boost turtle numbers and buy us more time.
Regardless, we have more turtles today than
we did earlier this spring. That is a start.
Contact: Mike Knoerr, Clemson Univer-
sity, School of Agriculture, Forest, and
Environmental Sciences, 244 Lehotsky
Hall, Clemson, SC 29634 [mike.knoerr@
gmail.com]; Cassie Dresser, Michigan
State University, Lyman Briggs College,
919 E Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI 48825
[cdbriggs@msu.edu]
A Bog Turtle hatching, western North Carolina. PHOTO CREDIT: MIKE KNOERR (CLEMSON UNIVERSITY)
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
10
The Turtle Survival Center (TSC) had its
best year yet for egg production. Over 400
eggs from 21 species were laid in 2018.
Eggs were divided between three different
incubators at temperatures of 78° F (25.5°
C), 82° F (27.7° C), and 85° F (29.4° C)
for different temperature sex determina-
tion among the species. This was the first
year that the TSC successfully hatched
the Sulawesi Forest Turtle (Leucocepha-
lon yuwonoi) and the Asian Black Giant
Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei). Other
species that reproduced at the TSC this year
include Yellow-headed Box Turtles (Cuora
aurocapitata), Chinese Box Turtles (Cuora
flavomarginata), Indochinese Box Turtles
(Cuora galbinifrons), McCord’s Box Turtles
(Cuora mccordi), Southern Vietnam Box
Turtles (Cuora picturata), Ryukyu Black-
breasted Leaf Turtles (Geoemyda japonica),
Spiny Hill Turtles (Heosemys spinosa),
Forsten’s Tortoises (Indotestudo forstenii),
Vietnamese Pond Turtles (Mauremys
annamensis), Red-necked Pond Turtles
(Mauremys nigricans), and Beale’s Eyed
Turtles (Sacalia bealei). For the fourth year
in a row, Big-headed Turtles (Platysternon
megacephalum) have reproduced at the
TSC, for a grand total of 30 offspring. Out-
side of the TSC, Zhou’s Box Turtle (Cuora
zhoui) reproduced in the U.S. for the first
time since 2015. The two C. zhoui hatch-
lings are the first offspring produced from
a male imported from the Munster Zoo in
Germany last year as part of an international
bloodline exchange.
Contact: Cris Hagen, Turtle Survival
Alliance, 1030 Jenkins Road, Suite D,
Charleston, SC 29407, USA [chagen@
turtlesurvival.org]
The TSC is one of a few institutions in the U.S. breeding McCord’s Box Tur-
tles, a species that is believed to be functionally, if not totally extinct in the
wild. PHOTO CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN
The Vietnamese Pond Turtle, a species functionally extinct in the wild, is
quite prolific at the Turtle Survival Center. PHOTO CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN
An Indochinese Box Turtle consumes its first meal of eggshell as it hatches.
PHOTO CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN
Reproduction of the Chinese Box Turtle has been prolific at the TSC. PHOTO
CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN
Significant Breedings
TURTLE SURVIVAL CENTER
Cris Hagen, Nathan Haislip, Carol Alvarez, Clinton Doak, and John Greene
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 11
TURTLE SURVIVAL CENTER
Five Years of the Turtle Survival Center
This year marks the 5-year anniversary of
the Turtle Survival Center (TSC). Thinking
back to its humble beginnings and the 2013
TSC article in the TSA magazine, it’s been
amazing to witness the growth and trans-
formation that has taken place. The TSC
started with a staff of one, quickly growing
to four during the first few months of opera-
tion, and currently maintains five full-time
employees. The living collection has grown
Cris Hagen, Nathan Haislip, Carol Alvarez, Clinton Doak, and John Greene
from about 300 individuals in the first year
to around 700 individuals, representing
29 species. During the first five years of
construction, seven separate facilities have
been built, as well as renovations to existing
facilities, for a current total of more than
400 enclosures for turtles and tortoises.
The initial construction phase of the TSC is
nearly completed. However, the continued
growth of the Center to meet animal man-
agement needs of the institutional collection
plan will require another phase of construc-
tion over the next decade. This will include
new utilities, facilities, and a few hundred
more enclosures.
HUSBANDRY AND REPRODUCTION
As the years go by and turtle residents of
the TSC become more acclimated to their
environment, reproduction increases. While
During the first week of 2018 an extremely rare weather event occurred in Charleston, SC blanketing the region with 5-6 inches of snow for nearly a week
before it all melted. The outdoor residents at the Turtle Survival Center remained dormant either underwater in ponds or under piles of mulch and leaves on
land during this winter anomaly. PHOTO CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
12
time and acclimation are likely to be the
most prominent factors for an increase in egg
production, some changes in husbandry and
diet over the past year may also be important
contributing factors. This year was a record
year for reproduction at the TSC. More than
400 eggs from 21 species were produced,
compared to only 160 eggs from 18 species
in 2016 and 125 eggs from 15 species in
2017. The priority species chosen for captive
management at the TSC are thriving and
reproducing, a testament to the knowledge
and dedication of the staff.
Time, some enclosure modifications, diet
additions, and probably several other fac-
tors have led to this year’s record-breaking
reproduction. Examples of recent husbandry
changes include: many turtles now have
their own individual enclosures instead of
being housed in pairs or small groups, and
males and females are only put together
for mating encounters at appropriate times.
This greatly reduces stress and injury from
intraspecific aggression and constant mating
attempts when housed together year-round.
Additionally, since the wild diet of many
species kept at the TSC is largely unknown,
a wide variety of commercially available
and cultivated food items are regularly being
added to the diet mix in an attempt to provide
the most complete diet possible. Further-
more, a regular vitamin/calcium supplement
routine began in 2017. With regard to young
specimens, hatchling Big-headed Turtles
(Platysternon megacephalum) are now on a
filtered recirculating system featuring spray
bars to help simulate the flowing water of a
stream habitat. This has been observed to aid
in the proper shedding of their scutes.
One of the only known genetically unrep-
resented wild-caught pairs of Rote Island
Snake-necked Turtles (Chelodina mccordi)
in the U.S. resides at the TSC. The female
has been in captivity since 1999 and has
been without a mate for the majority of that
time. The male was in a similar situation
and was obtained in 2017. This year, the
female produced a total of 23 eggs. One
egg partially developed, yet failed to hatch.
However, this is a good sign that this pair is
becoming reproductively active again after
nearly 20 years of solitary captive existence.
Hopefully this pair will be producing many
offspring in the future and adding a new
bloodline to the U.S. captive population.
With only 154 individuals in the Association
of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) managed
studbook, many of which are related, a new
genetic line will be an important addition
for captive conservation efforts.
AZA CERTIFIED RELATED FACILITY
In October 2017, the TSC began the process
of applying to become a certified related
facility of the AZA. After a lengthy applica-
tion preparation and submission process,
an onsite inspection was conducted in
June 2018. The AZA accreditation hearing
was held in Seattle, WA on 23 September
2018 and there the TSA/TSC was granted
certified related facility status. The certifica-
tion will open doors for additional funding
possibilities, provide eligibility for specific
conservation awards, allow TSA staff to be
studbook keepers, and will hold the TSC to
a high standard of animal care. The AZA in-
spection team was very impressed with the
TSC, including the institutional collection
plan and operating procedures, demonstrat-
ing that the TSC staff have always held a
high standard of animal care.
Contact: Cris Hagen, Turtle Survival
Alliance, 1030 Jenkins Road, Suite D,
Charleston, SC 29407, USA [chagen@
turtlesurvival.org]
One of seven Indochinese Box Turtles hatched at the Turtle Survival Center in 2018. PHOTO CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 13
The island of Sulawesi, in the Indonesian archi-
pelago, is known to have two endemic species
of turtles, the Sulawesi Forest Turtle (Leuco-
cephalon yuwonoi) and the Forsten’s Tortoise
(Indotestudo forstenii). Both species have proved
challenging to successfully breed in captivity.
These species are tropical and can mate and
produce eggs any month of the year in the cap-
tive setting. At the Turtle Survival Center (TSC),
both species are housed in the tropical Sulawesi
Greenhouse. The breeding season is structured
to coincide with winter months, as this is the
off-season for many of the TSC’s other temper-
ate and subtropical species. Mating events are
brief, with animals paired for only a short time
to allow copulation and prevent any unnecessary
aggression. Throughout the year, we house both
TURTLE SURVIVAL CENTER
The Successful Breeding of Sulawesi’s Endemic Turtle
Species at the Turtle Survival Center
Nathan Haislip, Cris Hagen, Carol Alvarez, Clinton Doak, and John Greene
This year, the Turtle Survival Center produced their first Sulawesi Forest Turtle hatchlings. Now that the seal has been broken, the team hopes that this is
only the beginning. PHOTO CREDIT: NATHAN HAISLIP
species individually or, in rare cases, two female
Forsten’s Tortoises in a larger enclosure, to limit
these antagonistic interactions.
There are approximately 160 Forsten’s Tor-
toises spread amongst 29 institutions in the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
Studbook, with nearly one fourth of that total
living at the TSC. The TSC has maintained
a population of Forsten’s Tortoises since
2013, however, we have had low reproduc-
tive output. They receive a varied diet that
includes a variety of vegetables and some fruit.
In 2017, vitamin/mineral supplements and
cuttlebone were regularly added to all turtle
diets. Prior to this, supplements and cuttlebone
were sporadic. During the 2017/2018 breed-
ing season, Forsten’s Tortoises were paired the
same as they have been in years past, however
egg production increased dramatically. We saw
a more than threefold increase in egg produc-
tion for the 2018 egg-laying season (23 eggs)
when compared to the 2016 egg-laying season
(seven eggs). We hypothesize that some of the
observed increase in reproductive output could
be correlated to acclimation time since moving
to a new environment at the TSC. However,
we would expect to see a somewhat gradual
increase as individual animals “come online,”
whereas production increased by 228%,
suggesting that husbandry changes may have
contributed to the increase in egg production.
For the Sulawesi Forest Turtle, major
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
14
Deadline for Summer 2019 internship application is February 28th.
Deadline for Fall 2019 internship application is May 31st.
Start Date can vary based on availability after May 1st and August 1st.
Key Benefits:
• Gain hands-on experience with the day to day operations of a chelonian conservation center.
• Build husbandry skills for ex situ conservation for some of the most endangered chelonians
in the world.
• Develop basic veterinary care techniques as they apply to captive chelonian husbandry.
For more information including responsibilities, expectations, qualifications, costs, and how
to apply contact Clint Doak at cdoak@turtlesurvival.org.
Lyndsi GIlbert
The Chelonian Internship Program is perfect for undergraduates and graduate students who
plan to pursue a career in conservation and captive management of turtles and tortoises.
Brooke Wood and Mandi Moxie
2019 INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
husbandry changes were implemented this
year. Initially, these animals were housed
in medium Waterland Tubs with a shallow
water area, however, keepers noticed that
animals were struggling to come onto land
to feed, which may also have restricted their
ability to nest. After a brief pilot study in
2017, we decided to deepen the water for
all individuals and provide rocks, which
aid the turtles in climbing the ramps and
offer perches in the deeper water. For the
2017/2018 winter breeding season, animals
were paired similarly to the previous breed-
ing season except we extended the time-
frame to approximately twice as long (six
months versus three months). This extension
allowed us to gain more breeding data and
better detect if there were any peaks in egg
production. Eggs were laid between April-
October at the TSC with peaks in June and
July (five and four eggs respectively). The
lowest months of egg production were Sep-
tember and October with one egg produced
each month. Prior to 2018, less than 12 eggs
had been produced since 2013. We observed
a 700% increase in egg production in 2018
compared to 2017, with 17 eggs produced.
The majority of these eggs were produced
from animals brought to the TSC in 2013.
This year saw the production of the first
captive-hatched Sulawesi Forest Turtles at
the TSC. The first hatchling was found in
March from an egg that was most likely laid
sometime in October 2017 from a female
that has laid non-viable eggs for over a
decade. On June 1st the same female laid
another egg that was collected and placed in
an incubator at 26° C (78° F). This second
hatchling emerged after 5 1/2 months of
incubation. Time, husbandry changes, diet
additions, and extended breeding periods all
likely played key roles in making 2018 such
a successful year.
Contact: Nathan Haislip, Turtle Survival
Alliance, 1030 Jenkins Road, Suite D,
Charleston, SC 29407, USA [nhaislip@
turtlesurvival.org]
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 15
The Southern Vietnam Box Turtle (Cuora
picturata) was described in 1998 and for
many years was known only from trade
specimens until the first scientific docu-
mentation in the wild occurred in 2011.
Originally recognized as a subspecies of
the Indochinese Box Turtle (Cuora galbin-
frons), further molecular research elevated
C. picturata to full species status in 2003.
They have been commercially collected
and observed in the international food and
pet trades since at least the early 1990s.
TURTLE SURVIVAL CENTER
A Record-Setting Year for the Southern Vietnam
Box Turtle at the Turtle Survival Center
Cris Hagen, Nathan Haislip, Carol Alvarez, Clinton Doak, and John Greene
This species has generally been considered
difficult to breed in captivity with limited,
yet steady success among a handful of turtle
specialists worldwide. The Turtle Survival
Center (TSC) is the only institution in the
U.S. known to have successfully bred them.
This has been a banner year for C. picturata
propagation at the TSC. Prior to 2018, a
total of 8 C. picturata eggs were produced,
resulting in a single hatchling. During the
2018 reproductive cycle, February to June,
a total of 20 eggs were produced represent-
ing all 8 adult females in the collection. The
adults arrived in different groups during
2014, 2015, and 2017. Double clutch-
ing, and in one case triple clutching, was
documented in 5 females. There was a 45%
hatch rate and eggs were incubated at vari-
ous temperatures to produce both sexes. To
our knowledge, this is the most captive bred
C. picturata produced worldwide in a single
breeding season at any one location.
TSC staff collect data on eggs (measure-
ments, developmental stages, temperature
for sex determination, incubation durations,
etc.), as well as life history information in
regards to growth and maintenance of hatch-
lings and juveniles. Preliminary data, from
a sample size of only two, suggests that C.
picturata may grow and mature at a faster
rate than its closest relatives C. galbinifrons
and Bourret’s Box Turtle (Cuora bourreti)
when raised under similar conditions.
A Southern Vietnam Box Turtle hatching from its
egg. PHOTO CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN
Hatchling Southern Vietnam Box Turtles captive bred at the Turtle Survival Center in 2018. PHOTO
CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
16
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
NORTH AMERICAN FRESHWATER TURTLE RESEARCH GROUP
Fostering a Culture of Conservation in Our Youth:
Preparing the Next Generation of Turtle Nerds
“The future is in your hands.” An oft-
repeated statement in speeches to young
audiences meant to inspire them, this state-
ment, unfortunately, is often an absolvement
of responsibility of the current generation,
and bestowment of burden upon those of
the future. We currently face a worldwide
biodiversity crisis that will not be solved in
a single generation alone. It is paramount
for current leaders in biodiversity conser-
Eric Munscher, Madeleine Morrison, and Michael Skibsted
vation and research to foster involvement
and encourage younger generations to both
appreciate and take an interest in the world
around them. In essence, we must champion
our children and their children to not only
carry our torch, but to light the path for
others, promoting the understanding that
wildlife conservation is not a whim. Rather,
it should be an intrinsic part of who we are
as human beings. After all, children are
naturally inquisitive, and it is said that sci-
entists are kids that never stopped exploring.
It’s been clinically proven that fostering cog-
nitive abilities, creativity, problem-solving
skills, physical health, social relationships,
self-discipline, and stress reduction enhance
children’s growth and development. The
environment for fostering these can be found
all around you; in back yards, in neighbor-
Tristan and Hailey Munscher learn the ropes of Alligator Snapping Turtle research and conservation efforts in Texas. PHOTO CREDIT: ERIC MUNSCHER
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 17
hoods, in parks—it’s called nature! Conser-
vationists need to find ways to move and
empower younger generations to explore
and protect the natural world. An emerging
environmentalist sees the natural world not
as a resource, but a delicate web of which we
are just one part, and deserving of our utmost
respect and care—a line of argument that is
particularly appealing to young people. We
must teach our children to live and learn as
part of nature, not apart from it. What does
it take to get today’s young people excited
about environmental conservation? How do
we harness their energy, creativity, and desire
to take part in conservation efforts? The
Turtle Survival Alliance’s North American
Freshwater Turtle Research Group (TSA-
NAFTRG) believes it should begin with
hands-on work in an outdoor setting, giving
them real-world experiences that boost their
interest and enthusiasm for the natural world.
If we show kids the value of research and
conservation, while having fun doing it, then
maybe we can persuade some to become
conservationists themselves. We have been
fortunate to have a large group of young vol-
unteers assisting with our research in Florida
and Texas over the years, ranging in age from
8 to a 17-year-old high school senior. They
are future conservationists and researchers;
they are the future of TSA-NAFTRG.
Herein we focus on several of these young
volunteers’ experiences to gather a better
understanding of what young people find
important and how they see themselves being
able to participate in conservation efforts.
Michael Skibsted: I began volunteering with
the TSA in late 2016, however, I had known
about the TSA long before I learned I could join
it! Unlike most, I first experienced the wonder
of turtles through books. Living in California,
I didn’t have much access to them in the wild.
As I began to delve deeper into chelonian
literature, I began to learn about the dire
situation they face. Moreover, I realized that
it was largely due to human related actions.
Once I fully grasped this, I became restless and
yearned for more than books; I began to search
for opportunities. Surprisingly, as a 4th grader
(back in 2013) there weren’t many opportuni-
ties to help the world’s turtles. This all changed
three years later when I got involved with TSA-
NAFTRG, assisting with field studies at their
Comal Springs research site. Through the TSA,
I have really gotten a grasp on what conserva-
tion means, and the feelings that accompany it.
Many people associate the term with work-
ing to protect an already threatened animal.
Through TSA-NAFTRG I have realized that this
interpretation is far from the truth. Conserva-
tion is simply working to conserve something
that you love and, in return, receiving a feeling
of great accomplishment that you have played a
part in prolonging its survival.
Being 14 years of age, I have a different
perspective than most. I believe anyone with
a passion, no matter the age, has the power
to change the field they work in and do
great things for the animal they are working
to save. If the passion is there, nothing can
stop an individual from doing great things.
I believe that incorporating more young
people who truly radiate passion for the
field of conservation would benefit the future
of conservation as a whole.
Madeleine Morrison: When I first began
working with the group, I honestly didn’t
understand the importance of the group’s
research for conservation. In fact, I didn’t
really know why they were doing their re-
search—I was just happy to get to work with
and learn about turtles. All of this changed,
however, once I learned more about the or-
ganization. I now realize that one of the most
important things scientists can do to protect
a species is to learn everything they can
about it. This information (mostly collected
through field research) is paramount for
learning the most efficient and effective ways
to tailor conservation towards any specific
species or organism. This is a powerful piece
of information for me to have learned at such
a young age, as it has truly changed the per-
spective that I approach my academics with.
Additionally, performing species investiga-
tions with TSA-NAFTRG has heightened my
appreciation of nature in all its complexities,
and has therefore made me even more pas-
sionate about conservation. I cannot stress
enough the importance of allowing people to
have this realization at a young age.
Michael Skibsted poses with one of nearly 10,000
Radiated Tortoises confiscated from wildlife
traffickers in southwestern Madagascar. PHOTO
CREDIT: LISA SKIBSTED
Madeleine Morrison displays a Common Musk
Turtle from Comal Springs, New Braunfels, Texas.
PHOTO CREDIT: ERIC MUNSCHER
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
18
Tristan and Hailey Munscher: Both
Tristan and Hailey Munscher have grown
up with turtle research and conservation
through their father Eric Munscher’s role
within the TSA. One might think that being
around such work on a constant basis would
potentially dissuade them from wanting to
participate. That couldn’t be further from
the truth. Tristan and Hailey have taken to
turtle research in their own way. Tristan
(12) joined the TSA-NAFTRG team at Bull
Creek in May and was able to capture 102
turtles on his own, a full third of the cap-
tured turtles that weekend. Hailey (9) has
taken a shine to Alligator Snapping Turtles
(Macrochelys temminckii) and joins her
father on every trapping session there is.
Both children understand the importance of
turtle conservation and have a natural love
and appreciation for the animals. Last year
they devised a bait study for a local bayou
in order to see if they could observe county
records for Common Musk Turtles (Sterno-
therus odoratus) in Harris and Montgomery
counties, Texas. They were successful and
now have a distribution note in Herpeto-
logical Review.
There are ever increasing numbers of conser-
vation groups, including some state programs,
who are creating programs geared toward
younger generations. A few good examples of
how conservation groups can enlist the help of
younger generations and in so doing create a
lasting impression on them are:
• Green Hour Program: The National
Wildlife Federation’s Green Hour program
is designed to encourage parents, schools,
childcare centers, park agencies, camps,
grandparents, and others to adopt a goal
dedicating an hour of time per day for
children to play and learn about nature in
the outdoors.
• National Recreation and Park Association:
Wildlife Explorers Program (5-10); Nature
Tykes (3-6)
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources (Good Natured)
• National Park Service Junior Ranger Program
(https://www.nps.gov/kids/jrRangers.cfm)
As conservation stewards, we must further em-
power and cultivate younger generations with
the aim that they can stand up together with us
and say, “The future of wildlife is in our hands.”
Contact: Eric Munscher, SWCA Envi-
ronmental Consultants, 10245 West
Little York, Houston, Texas, USA [emun-
scher@swca.com]
TSA-NAFTRG - PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Tabitha Hootman has
been involved in the Turtle
Survival Alliance – North
American Freshwater
Turtle Research Group’s
(TSA – NAFTRG) turtle
population studies in
Florida for 14 years. Cur-
rently, Tabitha is a gradu-
ate student in Jacksonville
University’s (JU) Marine
Science Master’s Program.
She is teamed with JU and
TSA-NAFTRG to complete
her thesis: Movement Patterns of Peninsula Cooter (Pseudemys penin-
sularis) and Florida Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni) Found in
Wekiwa Springs, Florida. The study stemmed from observations noted in
our long-term population study at Wekiwa Springs State Park (WSSP).
Over the years, the team would notice individuals leaving the sample
area and then reappearing years later, sometimes in what seemed like
groups. Originally, these observations were thought to be attributed to
sampling bias, but as the data set grew, and other springs were added,
it was noted there was movement into and out of the spring. The team
would catch turtles at Kelly Park, approximately 14 km upriver, that were
originally caught at WSSP, and vice versa.
In July 2018, 48 turtles from the sample area were outfitted with radio
transmitters. Additionally, four turtles were outfitted with GPS data log-
gers. Starting on 4 August 2018, Tabitha has tracked these turtles every
weekend. She covers about 48 km while tracking their movements and
logging locations into a handheld GPS unit. She will continue to track
the turtles for one full year. At the end of the year, Tabitha expects to
discover the extent of the turtles’ movements and assess their migratory
nature from her observations so that we can better understand how far
they travel, or if they leave the area for any period of time.
This study is the first of its kind to track the movements and migration
patterns of both freshwater turtles. Little information exists concern-
ing the habitat requirements and movement patterns of the Peninsula
Cooter and Florida Red-bellied Turtle. The data acquired will provide
vital information, elucidating habitat preferences and critical habitats
required to maintain these populations.
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 19
2018 was to become an unforgettable year
for TSA Madagascar, unfortunately for
many of the wrong reasons. Tortoise con-
fiscations continued to mount, and domi-
nated program activities for the third year
straight—punctuated by the largest tortoise
seizure on record. Over 10,000 Radiated
Tortoises (Astochelys radiata) were seized
in Toliara (Tuléar) in April, the magnitude
of which rocked both the global conser-
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
Rick Hudson and Herilala Randriamahazo
MADAGASCAR
Radiated Tortoise Crisis Worsens in Madagascar
vation community as well as Malagasy
authorities. In the words of an ambassador
at the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, “This
one crossed the line.”
Officers and first responders from the
Ministry of Environment, Ecology, and
Forests (MEEF/Atsimo-Andrefana region)
were shocked by the horror of so many sick
and dying tortoises, and faced innumerable
challenges in moving and caring for them.
Fortunately, a tortoise center in nearby Ifaty
– SOPTOM’s Village des Tortues – was
available to receive the tortoises. TSA Mada-
gascar rapidly responded by sending in a vet
team led by Dr. Ny Aina Tiana Rakotoarisoa
(TSA) and colleagues from Durrell Wildlife
Conservation Trust and the veterinary school
in Antananarivo. For the first 10 days, this
small team worked tirelessly to save tortoises
suffering from starvation, dehydration, and
The TSA provided immediate medical and husbandry care for nearly 18,000 Radiated Tortoises confiscated from the illicit wildlife trade in 2018 alone.
PHOTO CREDIT: JORDAN GRAY
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
20
neglect at the hands of cruel and greedy
wildlife traffickers.
Meanwhile, at TSA headquarters, this
became an all hands on deck moment and
we immediately began mobilizing all avail-
able resources. By April 21st, the first wave
of U.S. responders — Team Radiata 1 —
had arrived in Madagascar, with staff repre-
senting TSA, Bronx Zoo/WCS, Oklahoma
City, Dallas, Knoxville, and Hogle Zoos,
and led by Dr. Bonnie Raphael. Armed with
nearly 590 kilograms (1300 lbs.) of veteri-
nary supplies, Team 1 continued the tasks
of tortoise triage and determining which
tortoises were strong enough to be moved to
a permanent facility. The team was divided
upon arrival, with some staying in Ifaty to
treat tortoises and others going south to La-
vavolo to prepare the existing tortoise center
for A LOT of new arrivals. Prior to this
time, the facility in Lavavolo was no more
than a walled enclosure with no infrastruc-
ture for the people caring for tortoises. Due
to an overwhelming response from the U.S.
zoo and aquarium community, the TSA was
able to deploy another six teams of wildlife
warriors over the course of three months,
consisting of vet techs, keepers, construc-
tion and maintenance workers, as well as
some of the leading chelonian veterinar-
ians in the world. Together these men and
women — 75 in total — endured long hours
and hardships, bonding together under harsh
conditions and limited resources, to save
nearly 10,000 Radiated Tortoises AND build
a functioning tortoise center in a remote and
isolated area of southwest Madagascar. It
was one of TSA’s finest moments, illustrat-
ing our ability to deploy resources rapidly
and effectively in times of crisis.
The TSA prides itself on being able to
respond in these kinds of situations, but it
must be noted that our job was made easier
by the amazing outpouring of financial
support from the global turtle conserva-
tion community. Over 70 organizations
stepped up in this time of need, 45 of them
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
institutions, along with over 500 individual
donors. While the number of donors and
dollars raised is impressive and illustrates
the generosity of our community in times
of crisis, the brutal fact is that TSA Mada-
gascar is now caring for over 23,000 tor-
toises spread over six centers. The financial
impact of maintaining this many tortoises
is considerable, and diverts resources from
other important aspects of our organiza-
tion. Our long term goal at the TSA is for
zero turtle extinctions and, in order for this
to become a reality, harsher punishments
for poachers need to be established. Orga-
nized poaching syndicates must understand
that there will be consequences for such
grievous offenses. If not, the future of the
Radiated Tortoise in the wild is doomed.
In a year that saw a publication describing
the rapid extinction of the last wild popula-
tions of Ploughshare Tortoises (Astrochelys
yniphora), we must realize that we are on a
similar trajectory with Radiated Tortoises and
ask ourselves if we will allow this to happen
on our watch. At the time of this writing, the
three primary perpetrators of the Radiated
Tortoise smuggling ring were recently given
six years in prison and fines of $30,000, the
most severe sentence ever handed down
for poaching in Madagascar. However, this
verdict is being appealed and we anxiously
await the final word. It is important that this
conviction and harsh penalty be upheld in
order to send a strong signal to poachers,
else this case will have been in vain. Without
dogged persistence and enforcement, we
could be writing the epitaph for this species
in the not-too-distant future.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT THE TCC:
The TCC welcomes Andrew Leith, our first
Peace Corps volunteer, who comes to us with
a background in agriculture. Aside from im-
A spacious new facility is being constructed for our group of Ploughshare Tortoises designed with
high security measures. PHOTO CREDIT: JOSH LUCAS
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 21
proving our vegetable garden, he is charged
with working with the local communities
and training them on improved agriculture
techniques, enabling them to produce more
food, as well as creating a source of revenue
when they sell surplus produce to the TCC
for tortoise food. On the construction front,
we just broke ground on a new ultra-secure
facility for our group of young Ploughshare
Tortoises. As part of this project, and in keep-
ing with our goal of improved security at
the TCC, we will soon be bringing a greatly
expanded solar power system to the Center.
This will allow for a high-tech security
system for our A. yniphora that is specifically
designed to keep them safe. In addition to
a range of other security measures, we are
also finalizing plans for a sturdier and more
predator proof perimeter fence to surround
the 12-hectare core area. Finally, our new
Community Outreach Center (COC) is taking
shape and Phase 1 is nearing completion.
Funds for the next two phases are secured, all
supported through Utah’s Hogle Zoo. True to
the vision of Christina Castellano, the COC
will, once completed, have space for special
community events, provide opportunities
for education and outreach activities, offer
comfortable accommodations for visiting
scientists, donors and guests, and create a
welcoming environment to the five local
communities that, together, provided TSA
with the land for the TCC (over 90 hectares
total). In addition, a water collection cistern
will provide much-needed water to these
impoverished communities, which endure
extreme hardships during the ever-worsening
drought conditions in the south.
SECURITY IS PRIORITY ONE
The tortoise poaching crisis is getting worse
and, thusly, our concerns for the safety of the
staff and tortoises at our Centers are increas-
ing. To ensure that our security guards are
better prepared to deal with potential threats,
we have contracted with a leading global
security solutions group, G4S. In July, staff
from the TCC and LTC traveled to Ampanihy
for three days of intensive training. Soon,
G4S will make site visits to both Centers
to make recommendations for improving
security measures and to train staff in their
specific work environments. Maintaining
good relations with the local communities is
integral to our security plans as they are our
first line of defense against poachers.
A REINTRODUCTION STRATEGY
TAKES SHAPE
Josh Lucas (University of Central Okla-
homa and OKC Zoo), in pursuit of his MS
degree with financial support provided by
Oklahoma City Zoo, and the TSA, are part-
nering to pioneer a reintroduction strategy
for confiscated Radiated Tortoises. This
strategy will entail an extensive investiga-
tive effort over a minimum of two years,
and the results will have the potential to
shape how we manage reintroductions in the
future. Since it is highly likely that tortoises
will continue to be confiscated, it’s im-
portant that we develop and implement an
effective system that protects, monitors, and
stewards these animals back into the wild.
Our strategy focuses on evaluating three key
components: 1) community engagement, 2)
habitat condition, and 3) poacher accessibil-
ity. Also, a combination of intense ground-
truthing, GIS mapping, and a multitude of
follow up surveys will allow us to key in on
sites with the highest potential for success.
Local community involvement and engage-
ment is certainly the most important aspect of
this project and, ultimately, our success will
depend upon the willingness of local people
to protect the tortoises. To help us better
understand the needs, traditions, and percep-
tions of local communities, we are supporting
a study by Naomi Ploos van Amstel, a Dutch
MS student who is conducting a broad social
survey, the results of which will impact not
only site selection but how we incentivize the
communities selected.
The new Community Outreach Center is taking shape, and Riana Miatrika is shown here standing in
the firepit with the education pavilion in the background. PHOTO CREDIT: RICK HUDSON
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
22
Once sites are selected, we will employ a
soft release strategy to encourage site fidel-
ity, the inclination of the tortoises to remain
in the general vicinity where released. The
goal is to establish large (~ 1- 2 hectares
depending on number and size of tortoises)
pre-release enclosures in each site selected,
allowing tortoises to acclimate to their new
surroundings over a period of one year.
Once the enclosure walls are removed, the
tortoises will be officially released and al-
lowed to move where they choose. We will
continue to monitor the health, movements,
and survival of the tortoises via annual
population assessment surveys.
As previously stated, reintroduction of the
tortoises into their natural habitat is a multi-
faceted task that will require the collabora-
tion of many people. Josh will be relying
on, and working across, different scientific
disciplines with local TSA staff and biolo-
gists who possess the skill and resolve to
move this project ahead. Josh’s role will be
to coordinate the efforts of this team from
abroad, then spend summers in Madagascar
pulling the various components together.
In Josh’s words: “The time to save Radiated
Tortoises is NOW. No longer do we have
the luxury of sitting idly by and hoping for
the best. They are vanishing right before
our eyes. The 10,000 are but a fraction of
what disappears annually from Madagas-
car’s spiny forests. TSA has stepped up in
a colossal way to be a force for change in
the future of this species, and I am honored
to be a part of this effort. By stepping into
the role of Reintroduction Project Manager
I am committed to use the wide array of re-
sources at my disposal to make this project
a conservation success.”
ENFORCEMENT MORE IMPORTANT NOW
THAN EVER
Obviously, we cannot catch all tortoise
poachers, but we must maintain vigilant
and continue to apprehend and jail them as
a strong, visible reminder that poaching has
• Arnaud Miarison has been hired as Lead
Keeper for the Lavavolo Tortoise Center and
is responsible for management of a staff of
12 keepers and security guards, as well as
the procurement of food, water, and sup-
plies. Arnaud also provides oversight of TSA’s
rescue centers at Betioky and Ampanihy, is
well versed in farming techniques, and has
installed gardens throughout the LTC that will
help sustain the Center during times of drought. Arnaud comes to us
from AVSF, a French veterinary support organization for livestock.
• Hanta Rasoanaivo is the new Finance
Manager for TSA Madagascar and is in charge
of all aspects of accounting, as well as other
senior administrative duties for the office.
Hanta graduated from the University of Anta-
nanarivo with a degree in law and economic
studies and has 25 years of experience in
finance management including managing a
World Bank project.
• Christel Griffioen is the newly appointed
Director of Tortoise Conservation for the
Tandroy Region. Christel hails from the Neth-
erlands and comes to us after a stint at the
Angkor Center for Conservation of Biodiver-
sity in Cambodia where her passion for che-
lonians became clear. She has over 15 years
working experience with a diversity of species
in zoos and wildlife rescue centers throughout
Europe and the Middle East. Christel became enamored with Mada-
gascar while spending three weeks helping with the big tortoise rescue
earlier this year, and in September assumed the duties of managing
the Tortoise Conservation Center. She oversees a staff of 14, including
keepers and security guards, and will play a key role in overseeing con-
struction and the myriad of field expeditions necessary for developing
reintroduction plans.
• Josh Lucas is currently the Lead Keeper of
Herpetology at the OKC Zoo and was re-
cently awarded the title of AZA Hero for his
passion and devotion to reptile and amphib-
ian conservation. He brings a diverse back-
ground of conservation experience into his
new role with the TSA as the Reintroduction
Project Manager for Radiated Tortoises in
Madagascar.
MEET THE STAFF
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 23
serious consequences. This important aspect
of the TSA program has not been well funded
for several years, but in 2019 we hope to
change that. Our Enforcement Officer, Sylvain
Mahazotahy, will resume his important role in
applying the dina (a taboo-based social by-law
that punishes communities that tolerate poach-
ing activity) throughout the Tandroy region.
Further west, in the Atsimo-Andrefana region,
the TSA established an emergency response
fund that would allow DREEF officials to
travel and investigate reports of poaching
activity. We believe there is a critical threshold
that enforcement must commit to; stay above
it and we will maintain some wild tortoise
populations, fall below it and we lose this war.
PYXIS ASSURANCE COLONIES
Radiated Tortoises are not the only species
impacted by the illegal trade. Due to con-
fiscations over the years we have acquired
hundreds of Spider Tortoises (Pyxis arachnoi-
des) that now represent the founders for our
assurance colonies. When we conceptualized
the TCC, we had plans to manage only a small
colony of the Southern Spider Tortoises (P.
a. oblonga), the most endangered and range
restricted of the three subspecies. The TCC is
located within good Southern Spider Tortoise
habitat, and a small wild population exists
within the confines of the Center, so this was
a logical decision. Today, though, we have a
captive population numbering 130 animals
and a new management facility is being built,
funded by our strong partner Zoo Knoxville.
Eggs are already incubating in situ and the
future for these tortoises is looking brighter. In
addition to this success at the TCC, we have
a nucleus of 120 Common Spider Tortoises
(P. a. arachnoides), at the LTC near Itampolo
where hatchlings are already being found.
Like the TCC, the LTC is located within good
Pyxis habitat so success is predictable. Finally,
we also have a group of over 100 of the North-
ern Spider Tortoises (P. a. brygooi), located in
two of the rescue centers. We have not decided
whether to maintain this group or not but, to
date, we have been unable to identify a local
partner with the capacity to help repatriate
them to a protected area within their range.
Acknowledgements: For ongoing
programmatic support we thank the
following: Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Gregory
Family Charitable Fund, Nature’s Own,
Owen Griffiths/Francois Leguat Ltd., Zoo
Knoxville, Columbus Zoo, LA Zoo, Mr. and
Mrs. Richard A. Brooks, Radiated Tortoise
SSP, AZA Radiated Tortoise SAFE pro-
gram. We would like to thank all of the
numerous zoos, aquariums, non-profit,
NGO’s, governmental agencies, and in-
dividual donors that provided personnel,
equipment, and financial support for our
rescue efforts on behalf of confiscated
tortoises this year. A special thanks goes
to the Wildlife Conservation Society/
Bronx Zoo for their exemplary contribu-
tion during the April crisis.
Contact: Rick Hudson, Turtle Survival
Alliance, 1030 Jenkins Rd. Ste. D, Charles-
ton, SC, USA 29407 [rhudson@turtlesur-
vival.org]
A Lavavolo Tortoise Center keeper unloads fresh produce, in this case sweet potato vines, which is
delivered daily by the local communities, thereby integrating our operation into their well-being and
income. PHOTO CREDIT: RICK HUDSON
The TSA manages colonies of all three subspecies of Spider Tortoise amongst our various facilities.
Pictured is a Southern Spider Tortoise. PHOTO CREDIT: NY AINA TIANA RAKOTOARISOA
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
24
Keepers distribute tortoises amongst massive enclosures featuring new fortified walls built into
the native spiny forest. PHOTO CREDIT: CHRISTEL GRIFFIOEN
Josh Lucas
Bringing a New Tortoise Center Online:
Lavavolo Tortoise Center
When April’s record shattering Radiated
Tortoise confiscation first took place, I was
sent on behalf of the Oklahoma City Zoo
to provide aid. At the time I didn’t quite
understand what this would entail, but I knew
that I had a passion for these animals and
wanted to do everything that I could to help. I
am privileged to have been a part of the very
first team on the ground, now known as Team
Radiata 1. We all stepped off of the plane with
an overwhelming eagerness to get started, but
that initial enthusiasm descended into a tangle
of anxiety and head strong determination upon
arrival on the scene.
My recollection of day one is still vivid in my
mind and I won’t soon forget seeing some
10,000 critically endangered tortoises clus-
tered together en masse. Many were weak, de-
hydrated, and malnourished. My role was split
into two phases; the first involved participa-
tion in immediate triage and hydration work at
the center in Ifaty. The second saw me travel
much further south, to TSA’s new facility in
Lavavolo. It was here that I witnessed TSA’s
incredible resolve to include local communi-
ties in tortoise conservation. The first thing we
did was petition the village elder to use sacred
land in order to protect these tortoises (I say
“we” but really I just sat back in amazement
as the process unfolded; Herilala Randriama-
hazo is the true champion of this effort).
I was one of two Team Radiata 1 members to
see the Lavavolo site in its earliest stages. Now,
I am the only one to have returned to the site
since the confiscation took place so I have a
unique perspective on the exponential progres-
sion of this place in just five months. When
we first arrived at Lavavolo the only thing
separating the tortoise site from the wilds of
southern Madagascar was a 12-18” rock barrier
that circled the perimeter of the tortoise habitat.
That is all that was there; no construction had
taken place yet but rocks had been dug up from
surrounding areas, standing upright, partially in
the ground, enclosing what would later become
an advanced tortoise rescue facility.
It was hard to imagine back then, but amaz-
ingly the rescue site has been transformed
entirely and the hard work of the local com-
munity and Teams Radiata 2-7 is not lost
on me in any way. When we first arrived,
we had no access to water and had to send a
driver at least twice daily with 4-6 empty bar-
rels to fill up at the nearest well which was
half an hour away. Nonetheless we pushed
on. It wasn’t until our last hour on the ground
that a truck loaded with construction supplies
finally arrived. By the end of my time in La-
vavolo, we had divided the rocky perimeter
into quadrants for different sized tortoises
and we devotedly watered and fed some
1,800 tortoises that had arrived from Ifaty.
Longer-term facilities were built at the site
as time went on, and members of later waves
may recall watching the start of a vet clinic,
storage shed, and food prep area going up.
Now, five months later, the Lavavolo Tortoise
Center is beaming with life and fortitude, stand-
ing as a beacon of light for Radiated Tortoise
conservation. Well- constructed rock walls
topped with security wire contain 9,925 tor-
toises, 8,900 from the Tuléar confiscation and
1,025 from previous seizures. Fourteen staff
members manage this Center, including six se-
curity guards and six keepers. That equivocates
to 1,650 tortoises per keeper. The vet clinic has
been completed, and an immaculate food prep
kitchen sits adjacent to a large room for receiv-
ing food, much of which is grown by the local
people and purchased by TSA. The facility now
has adequate water storage and it’s easier to
keep the tortoise water bowls full and clean. All
of the surviving confiscated tortoises have been
transferred and are recovering from this horrific
confiscation better than we expected. On my
latest visit, I found primarily bright, clear-eyed
tortoises with good weights, and mouths stuffed
with food. Simply thinking about them has me
smiling from ear to ear as I write. These tor-
toises are in capable hands and are undoubtedly
going to thrive in their temporary captivity until
we can guide them back into the wild where
they belong.
Contact: Josh Lucas, Oklahoma Zoo
and Botanical Garden, 2101 NE 50th St,
Oklahoma City, OK, USA 73111 [jlucas@
okczoo.org]
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 25
As word of the large confiscation of Radi-
ated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) reached
veterinarians, procedures for dealing with the
anticipated medical problems were initiated.
Based on previous confiscations, estimates of
the supplies needed were made and distrib-
uted to TSA members, zoos, and aquariums.
We knew we could expect stress related ill-
ness and depending on how long the tortoises
had been held in captivity, and the conditions
in which they had been kept, nutritional
disorders could also be anticipated.
We knew that the TSA’s Malagasy veterinary
team had been providing excellent emer-
Drs. Bonnie Raphael (private) and Sean Perry (Louisiana State University) examine the mouths of juvenile Radiated Tortoises for stomatitis. PHOTO CREDIT:
RICK HUDSON
Bonnie L. Raphael, DVM
State of the Art Health Assessements Leave Team
Breathing a Sigh of Relief
gency care with scarce resources, and that
supplies were desperately needed. Donations
of approximately 590 kilograms (1300 lbs.)
of medical supplies were carried to Madagas-
car with the first wave of responders, eager to
assess the conditions on the ground.
In the first wave of ex-pat responders were
2 clinical veterinarians and a veterinary
pathologist from the Wildlife Conservation
Society (WCS). Once we arrived on site we
were able to provide immediate assistance
to the Malagasy veterinarians. Dr. Conley,
the pathologist, set up a post-mortem area
and began necropsy examinations on dead
tortoises. In addition to photographing,
measuring, and examining each tortoise,
hundreds of samples were collected from
these cases for further examination such
as histopathology and molecular analysis
(PCR). Due to limited laboratory facilities
in Madagascar the samples were designated
for export to WCS in New York City.
Remarkably, a large majority of the tortoises
were in fair condition. After being soaked
in water and being fed daily, many of them
rebounded quickly from their initial las-
situde. Approximately 10% of them showed
signs of moderate to severe illness requiring
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
26
medical treatment with fluids, vitamins, an-
tibiotics, and analgesics. Most of the ill ones
were emaciated from chronic malnutrition
resulting in softening shells, and about 25%
of the sick ones had severe inflammation of
the mouth. There was concern that the mouth
lesions could have been caused by viral
infections such as herpesvirus, picornavirus,
or bacterial or parasitic infections (Myco-
plasma or intranuclear coccidia). During the
first month of intensive treatment the medical
case load was reduced from 1,000 animals
to approximately 200. Very few new cases
developed after medical care was begun.
In order to import the tissue samples into
the USA, permits from both the Madagascar
government and the US Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) are required. Thanks to
special attention by the Malagasy authori-
ties, the registrar at WCS and the USFWS,
an emergency import permit was issued. All
of the samples arrived safely at the WCS
by mid-June and when Disney’s Animal
Kingdom provided funding, the processing
and testing all the samples was able to start in
a timely manner.
The samples were sent to multiple labs in the
US. In addition to microscopic examination of
all tissues (histopathology) by 5 pathologists,
testing included PCR for herpesviruses, rana-
viruses, adenoviruses, intranuclear coccidian,
and Mycoplasma species. In addition to those,
a subset was tested for tortoise picornavirus
(Rafivirus) and for Reptilian orthoreovirus. All
tested samples were negative for all patho-
gens. Finally, to understand if pathogens may
already be present in the wild, samples that
had been collected across the Radiated Tor-
toise’s range in Madagascar in 2010 were also
tested. Those samples, too, tested negative.
Lesions related to long-term starvation were the
most consistent findings in the tortoise mortali-
ties. There was complete lack of fat stores at
necropsy. Abnormal findings such as heart,
kidney, or vascular disease were not seen. Ad-
ditionally, a large number of tortoises had soft
shells. This is consistent with lack of normal
levels of calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D
in the diet and lack of access to sunlight, or
underlying kidney disease. One of the most
striking findings seen at necropsy was severe ir-
ritation of the mouth (stomatitis) in many of the
cases. Testing has eliminated the most common
infectious causes of stomatitis and indicated
that bacterial infections were a secondary pro-
cess, likely occurring opportunistically after a
primary insult. Parasites were present in a large
percentage of cases, but neither parasites nor
intramuscular parasites were associated with
disease and were considered incidental.
In summary, most of the lesions seen in
the tortoises from the confiscation were
consistent with suboptimal nutrition and/
or husbandry. The result of all of the
histopathology and PCR testing have not
uncovered any infectious disease in these
confiscated tortoises. Combined with the
advanced laboratory testing, we believe that
these confiscated tortoises do not present a
disease threat to free ranging wild tortoises.
Although the results of the testing from the
April confiscation weren’t completed until
November, they are and will be important
for future plans for the tortoises now housed
at the Lavavolo Tortoise Center. Further-
more, the results informed treatment for
the year’s second large confiscation that
occurred in late October, by providing infor-
mation regarding the most likely or unlikely
causes of clinical signs in the tortoises.
A special acknowledgment goes out to
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, without whose
generosity and willingness to immediately
provide funding, the medical testing could
not have been done. Thanks to all the
veterinarians and veterinary technicians that
donated their time and expertise, the many
husbandry persons and interested volun-
teers, and all the institutional support for re-
sponding to this crisis and helping to assure
that most of the animals have been placed in
a secure facility for long-term recuperation.
Contact: Bonnie L. Raphael, DVM,
DACZM, Zoological and Wildlife Consulting
and Services [bonnielrahzv@gmail.com]
Ihsaan Sebro inspects a juvenile tortoise. Ex-pat veterinarians and technicians performed approximately
6,000 clinical interventions from April 23 – July 14, 2018. PHOTO CREDIT: JORDAN GRAY
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 27
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
BANGLADESH
A Steep Ascension: Turtle Conservation
in the Chittagong Hills
Each year, Bangladesh becomes more unpre-
dictable; it’s the nature of the beast. This is a
country where just a few decades ago, over
80% of the population was suffering from
extreme poverty, but in 2024 it is predicted
that poverty will be eliminated amongst its
population of 166 million. This is a country
of change, and the Creative Conservation Al-
liance (CCA) is a part of that change.
Our work focuses on the most remote region
of the country, the Chittagong Hill Tracts
(CHT). This region, in southeastern Bangla-
Scott Trageser
desh, is the only area with significant rises
in elevation in the otherwise flat floodplain
that comprises much of the country. Here
in these hills, the last stands of old-growth
tropical forest can be found — if you’re
willing to make the long and sometimes
treacherous trip down! It remains the least
explored area in the country, as most of
the limited exploratory research occurred
during British colonial times. Since the
rousing departure of the British more than
70 years ago, the area has become so politi-
cally complex and volatile that the Bangla-
desh Forest Department has had little to no
influence over their own protected area: The
Sangu Matamuhuri Reserve Forest. With
no one to enforce environmental laws in the
region, threats to the forest and its wildlife
have taken a heavy toll. These forests serve
as the last refuge in the country for many of
the 30 globally-threatened species that call
it home—all of which are becoming more
threatened by the day. The situation here
is dire, and not only for Bangladesh. Any
win-lose scenario here will be felt across the
greater cross-boundary region from Myan-
Shahriar Caesar Rahman, the CEO of the Creative Conservation Alliance, holds one of the Arakan Forest Turtles in its breeding center. PHOTO CREDIT: SCOTT
TRAGESER (NATURESTILLS LLC)
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
28
mar, through India, and into the Himalayan
foothills of Nepal and Bhutan.
It’s not just the wildlife that call the CHT
home; several tribes such as the Marma,
Tripura, and Mro still practice some level of
traditional life in the hills. The older genera-
tions of such tribes can still recount many
of their traditions and remain formidable
hunters. Ironically, it’s these traditional hunt-
ers that have been a boon to turtle conserva-
tion. We have repurposed their traditional
ecological knowledge and empowered them
as conservationists—which we refer to as
parabiologists. Our parabiologist team is
our wheelhouse; without them very little
progress would be made. Ten hunter-turned-
conservationists conduct routine village sur-
veys to liberate harvested turtles and return
them to the wild. They also provide us with
reports of poached bears, gaur, tigers, and
more—knowledge we would never be privy
to without their local connections. Perhaps
most beneficial of all, the parabiologists are
ambassadors to the local communities for
our organization and conservation, which
promotes trust and fosters a willingness
to partner so that we can change the forest
together.
To date, our relationships with the indig-
enous have resulted in several sizable
accomplishments. Ten Indigenous Commu-
nity Protected Areas have been established,
which currently protect 500 hectares and we
have plans to expand these areas in the near
future. Since 2016, six primary schools have
been supported in the most remote regions
of the CHT, where access to education was
previously non-existent. We have also estab-
lished indigo plantations for dye production
and sale, and nationally marketed tradi-
tional indigenous crafts—the revenue of
which goes to social businesses operated by
indigenous women. Most recently, we have
established a plant nursery and arboretum
which has raised 10,000 native bamboo sap-
lings as well as 3,000 seedlings represent-
ing 20 different native plant species, all for
reforestation efforts. The bamboo seedlings
will also be distributed freely to the local
people to begin sustainable bamboo cultiva-
tion. This can provide sustainable income
while also restoring degraded land.
In 2017 we established the first in-country
chelonian breeding center which safeguards
eight Arakan Forest Turtles (Heosemys
depressa), eight Asian Giant Tortoises
(Manouria emys), a single Keeled Box Turtle
(Cuora mouhotii), and four Elongated Tor-
toises (Indotestudo elongata). It is our hope
to soon release hatchlings from our breeding
center into the newly established community
protected areas to repopulate the hills with
species of turtle and tortoise that once roamed
there in delightful abundance. Turtles are great
seed dispersers and, as such, the reinforcement
of turtle populations will also aid the health
of the forest and promote reforestation in
degraded areas. This is conservation breeding
at its finest!
I’d like to end this with a request for your as-
sistance. Funds in 2018 were scant, and running
a program of this magnitude in Bangladesh is
no simple matter. Unfortunately, donors are
rarely excited to fund human resources like our
parabiologists—without which our conserva-
tion programs would have never gotten off the
ground. With as little as $100 a month you can
support the employment of one of our parabi-
ologists or even cover the costs of running one
of our indigenous primary schools for a month.
If you’d like to get more involved and help
support this important program, please contact
Andrew Walde at awalde@turtlesurvival.org.
Acknowledgements: We would like to
thank Whitley Fund for Nature, Future for
Nature, The Rufford Foundation, and the
European Outdoor Conservation Asso-
ciation for their generous support of the
Chittagong Hill Tracts Program in 2018.
Contact: Scott Trageser, Creative Con-
servation Alliance, Avenue 3, Road 13 A,
House 925, Mirpur DOHS, Dhaka, Bangla-
desh [trageser.scott@gmail.com]
In Bangladesh, Asian Black Giant Tortoises are only found under dense canopies in the Chittagong Hill
Tracts. PHOTO CREDIT: SCOTT TRAGESER (NATURESTILLS LLC)
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 29
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
BANGLADESH
Batagur Baska Project: Captive Population Growth
Demands New Management Strategies
Three years ago the Batagur baska Project, a
multinational conservation initiative for the
critically endangered Northern River Terrapin
(Batagur baska), established a second breed-
ing facility in southern Bangladesh to comple-
ment the program’s existing conservation area
in Bhawal National Park. In this time, new
breeding environments, nesting beaches, and
hatcheries have been established there. Today,
this facility within the Karamjal Forest Station
houses almost 150 individual terrapins.
This year, to accommodate the growing ju-
Doris Preininger, Rupali Ghosh, Peter Praschag & Anton Weissenbacher
venile terrapins, we built an additional pond,
which provides a better, more expansive
habitat for the large number of four and five-
year-olds. The Bangladesh Forest Depart-
ment dedicated an unused area adjacent to
the current project site, and a 40 x 20 x 3 m
pond was dug with the help of local workers.
This new juvenile habitat is surrounded by
a sloping shoreline that serves as a basking
area, and fortified walls which protect the
terrapins from predators.
Meanwhile, the reproductive adult females at
both the Karamjal and Bhawal facilities laid
their annual egg clutches in March. Roughly
70 days later, 44 young turtles successfully
hatched. The continuously growing number of
captive-bred individuals at the two facilities
demonstrates that the Batagur baska Project
provides a secure and productive captive
environment for the Northern River Terrapin
to successfully reproduce and flourish.
For the Batagur baska Project to ultimately
be successful, it is imperative that the
captive-breeding component connects to a
Two newly hatched Northern River Terrapins at Bhawal National Park. PHOTO CREDIT: AGJ MORSHED
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
30
strategy for a sustainable reintroduction of
the terrapin in the near future. This strategy
includes fieldwork aimed at finding and
protecting natural habitats utilized by the
species. With the help of several funders, we
were not only able to enlarge and renovate
the breeding facilities, we were also able
to finance new satellite transmitters for
specimen tracking in their native habitat.
The project team will equip five males with
transmitters and release them in the Sundar-
bans at the beginning of the breeding season
in October. Movement transmissions will
hopefully help indicate habitat preferences
and identify travel routes, which will be
taken into consideration when strategizing a
prospective release program in the future.
Acknowledgements: The project team
of the Vienna Zoo, Turtle Survival Al-
liance, Prokriti O Jibon Foundation &
Forest Department Bangladesh thanks
the Zoological Society for the Conserva-
tion of Species and Populations (ZGAP),
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie
und Terrarienkunde (DGHT), REWE
Group, the Austrian Zoo Organization
(OZO), Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF),
European Union of Aquarium Cura-
tors (EUAC), and the Edith Haberland-
Wagner Foundation for their grateful and
continuous support.
Contact: Doris Preininger and Anton
Weissenbacher, Vienna Zoo, Max-
ingstraße 13b, 1130, Vienna, Aus-
tria [d.preininger@zoovienna.at;
a.weissenbacher@zoovienna]; Rupali
Ghosh, Shant Kamal Kunj, 1, Shakti
Colony, Rajkot 360001, Gujarat, India
[rupali2001in@hotmail.com]; Peter Pra-
schag, Turtle Island, Am Katzelbach 98,
8054 Graz, Austria [ppraschag@turtle-
island.at]
Juvenile Northern River Terrapins bask on a bamboo platform in their rearing environment in Bhawal National Park. PHOTO CREDIT: ANTON WEISSENBACHER
The newly finished juvenile pond in the Karamjal Conservation Center, Bangladesh. PHOTO CREDIT:
ABDUR ROB
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 31
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
Shailendra Singh, Bhasker Dixit, Arunima Singh, Rishika Dubla, Parimal Chandra Ray, Chandan Jani,
Pawan Pareek, Rachna Tewari & J. Daren Riedle
INDIA
Saving India’s Endangered Turtles —
Implementing Recommendations from the
3rd Strategic Conservation Planning Workshop
India has long mesmerized the world as an
emblem of rich cultural and natural heri-
tage. Spanning approximately 3.25 million
square kilometers, it is known for its kalei-
doscopic range of climates and landscapes,
such as the mystic Himalayan range in the
north, semi-arid desert habitats in the west
and central plains, and lush tropical forests
in the south. It’s also home to iconic,
yet endangered, wildlife like the Asian
Elephant, Bengal Tiger, and Leopard. With
a burgeoning population of 1.3 billion, and
an expected growth of 16% by 2030, find-
ing the balance between development and
safeguarding the environment, especially
aquatic systems, will continue to be a
challenge. Of the 28 species of tortoises
and freshwater turtles found in India, most
are in a perilous state due to unsustainable
harvesting and habitat degradation. The 3rd
Indian Strategic Meeting, hosted in New
Delhi by TSA and the Ministry of Environ-
ment, Forests & Climate Change, identi-
fied 17 species of turtles either Critically
Endangered or Endangered. Currently, the
Wildlife Conservation Society-India, with
support from TSA, implements six turtle
conservation projects across five states
and reviews various national environment
policies and planning initiatives in favor of
endangered turtles.
ASIAN BLACK GIANT TORTOISE
PROJECT IN NORTHEASTERN INDIA:
Native to southern and southeastern Asia,
the Asian Black Giant Tortoise (Manouria
emys phayrei) in northeast India had been
extirpated, warranting immediate surveys
and recovery efforts. The major goal this
year was to document extant captive cohorts
of M. e. phayrei and set up a recovery
program via zoological networks. With
only a marginal response from potential
centers, physical visits to zoos across eight
regional states were required in February
2018. These visits led to the discovery of
Manouria in six of the fifteen zoos.
Starting with a modest breeding program in
Nagaland Zoo, Dimapur, the animals were
sequestered from display into specially de-
signed breeding enclosures and provided a
more balanced diet. One of the few handfuls
of turtle species displaying parental care
behavior, twelve adults were separated into
four groups, and additional males were iso-
lated after courtship to prevent disturbance
of nesting females. Of the four clutches
deposited from April to June (158 eggs), 66
viable eggs were translocated to an incuba-
tion room for a more controlled environ-
ment. The 22 emergent hatchlings marked
the first successful breeding event of this
species for the zoo and the third in the
region, after Mizoram and Manipur. Future
goals entail surveys of potential release
sites in Nagaland, where half the hatchlings
released will be fitted with transmitters to
discern dispersal and survival.
NATURE DISCOVERY CENTRE PROJECT
IN ASSAM:
The Brahmaputra basin along the Indo-
Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot is home to
A hatchling Crowned River Turtle at the Kukrail Gharial and Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Lucknow.
PHOTO CREDIT: ARUNIMA SINGH
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
32
The new Nature Discovery Centre in Assam is a significant addition to the TSA India progam in 2018.
This spectacular facility is under long-term lease from the Assam Tourism Development Corporation.
The facility gives us a presence from which to work and provide public visitation, education, and as-
surance colony development in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, the Brahmaputra Flood Plain.
PHOTO CREDIT: TSA INDIA
21 non-marine chelonians. Identified as a
Turtle Priority Area, it has long-held global
significance for the conservation of threat-
ened and endemic species. The project broke
ground last year with the acquisition of a
defunct building from the Assam Tourism
Development Corporation near the town of
Bishwanath. Located on the northern banks
of the Brahmaputra near Kaziranga National
Park, this picturesque facility provides an
ideal location to develop a long term hub for
turtle conservation and outreach. Along with
maintaining proactive field conservation and
research efforts, five outreach programs con-
ducted at the facility on environmental calen-
dar days have reached over 1,000 youths and
community members. Additionally, 33 bi-
lingual (English and Assamese) displays and
interactive panels have been designed and
installed, with three facilities for endangered
turtles and tortoises scheduled next.
NORTHERN RIVER TERRAPIN PROJECT
IN THE SUNDARBANS:
Nearing functional extinction in India and
Bangladesh, the Northern River Terrapin
(Batagur baska) is dependent on captive
breeding and management for survival in
both countries. Fortunately, with the TSA’s
proactive assistance, facilities and husbandry
at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR) in
Sajnekhali have improved, and now experi-
ences significant annual breeding success.
In 2017-2018, 110 offspring (F1), from
2012-2015 batches maintained in Sajnekhali,
were distributed to multiple colonies across
three freshwater ponds identified at various
range stations. These colonies are located
on islands within the park to avoid any loss
of animals due to stochastic events. Whilst
salinity and pH levels of the selected ponds
were analyzed, comprehensive health assess-
ments were conducted in semi-permanent
holding facilities prior to shifting. While the
STR provided financial support for improved
infrastructure of the dedicated breeding
enclosure there, none of the clutches from
the four translocated, gravid females hatched
in 2018, possibly due to high temperatures.
Alternatively, the discovery of two wild
juveniles sighted within the park’s periphery
provided for great excitement. They were
subsequently captured and translocated to
our facility. Hopefully, additional activities
such as keeper training workshops held for
the staff of all four facilities holding B. baska
within the park in March, and future pro-
grams like the release of head started turtles
with satellite transmitters, will help establish
a viable population.
CHAMBAL BATAGUR CONSERVATION
IN UTTAR PRADESH AND MADHYA
PRADESH:
The Chambal River is recognized as the
stronghold for two species of river terrapin,
the Indian Red-crowned Roofed Turtle
(Batagur kachuga) and the Three-striped
Roofed Turtle (Batagur dhongoka), as well
as the Indian Gharial (Gavialis gangeti-
cus). The recovery project for Batagur in
the river has protected tens of thousands of
nests from predation and released hundreds
of thousands of hatchlings over the past
twelve years.
From 5 - 10 a.m. each day during the
months of February and March, nest detec-
tion teams patrol the river’s banks, covering
10-15 km a day in scorching temperatures.
Nests deemed vulnerable to predation and
human disturbances are translocated to two
temporary riverine hatcheries set up in the
lower (near Chilonga / Garhaita villages)
and middle sections (Malbasai / Barsala vil-
lages) of the river. Measuring 30 m x 20 m,
these hatcheries are fenced with wire mesh
to ward off predators, and provided round-
the-clock manned protection for the dura-
tion of the incubation period. This year, the
field team was further challenged, risking
their own lives as they continued to man the
hatchery through violent dust storms that
destroyed the hatchery infrastructure and
field survey boats. Due to their heroic ef-
forts, they managed to save all 317 nests (74
B. kachuga and 243 B. dhongoka). In all,
over 5,000 hatchlings were safely returned
to the river at their corresponding natal sites
within 24 hours of exiting the nest. Con-
currently, 100 B. kachuga hatchlings were
retained for a “rear-and-release” program at
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 33
our Garhaita Turtle Conservation Centre in
Lucknow.
Simultaneous to the nest patrol, incubation,
release, and head start efforts, sonic-telem-
etry is also carried out in the Chambal to
ascertain the survival, home range, preferred
habitat utilization, movement patterns, and
natural history of B. kachuga. Data from ten
individuals tagged in 2017 yielded a total
of 196 pre-monsoon locations, showing the
movement of animals within a 10 km area
and confirming 100% survival.
2018 also saw the implementation of new
training and initiatives for our staff, associ-
ates, and community with regard to Batagur
in the Chambal. With a focus on running
capacity building and training programs, in
tandem to animal-driven conservation initia-
tives, a Spatial Monitoring and Reporting
Tool (SMART) training program component
was instituted this year for 50 frontline
staff. Its aim is to make patrolling teams
more efficient in terms of documenting and
quantifying animal populations, habitat,
and threats. Introduced to India for the first
time, the next step of training will be the
setup of a data collection center to analyze
data pertaining to monitoring, encounters,
and threats, and generate periodic maps for
threat analysis. Furthermore, the “School
for Aquatic Wildlife Biology and Conser-
vation”, the first of its kind in India, was a
week-long course run in March 2018. It was
designed to equip early career researchers,
conservationists, and students with the nec-
essary skills required to conduct scientifical-
ly robust studies in an aquatic environment.
TARAI TURTLE CONSERVATION
PROJECT IN UTTAR PRADESH:
The Tarai Arc Landscape (TAL), situated in
the foothills of the Himalayas, represents
a turtle priority hotspot supporting nearly
50% of the chelonian diversity in India. Pro-
viding optimal habitats for a host of species
of special concern, this ecosystem is one of
TSA India program’s highest conservation
priorities. Unfortunately, multi-dimensional
issues such as large-scale poaching for
consumption and export, anthropogenic
pollution, and unmitigated infrastructure
projects in this unprotected area have cre-
ated a perfect storm of environmental crises.
In response, the Tarai project works closely
with riparian communities to establish a
socially integrated program.
In addition to previously successful “poach-
er conversion” workshops and pilot tests
of turtle friendly nets, this year the team
collaborated with the University of Cali-
fornia, Los Angeles to resume a handicraft
training initiative, training women from the
villages of Chudipurwa and Dhobinpurwa to
provide environmentally friendly livelihood
options. This project secured a multitude of
resources such as a website, a YouTube pre-
sentation, an official report that reevaluated
the efficacy and market linkages to sustain
the program, and a list of potential partners
that would assist in this venture. Moreover,
community-based initiatives such as a
riverside nature camp, a livelihood promo-
tion workshop, a river clean-up campaign in
association with local youth organizations
on World Environment Day, and stakeholder
meetings in association with the Centre for
Environmental Education-Himalaya, have
also strengthened this initiative.
Lastly, our population monitoring efforts
this year for the turtle assemblage in the
Ghaghara-Sarju River system resulted in a
total of 748 animals representing eight spe-
cies. Moreover, of the 42 female Crowned
River Turtles (Hardella thurjii) captured
and x-rayed as part of an experimental re-
productive ecology study, 9 were confirmed
with the presence of calcified eggs. These
females were administered with oxytocin to
induce artificial oviposition. The resultant
eggs are currently under incubation with
hopes of providing further information on
this little-understood species.
KUKRAIL TURTLE CONSERVATION
PROJECT AND REHABILITATION OF
CONFISCATED TURTLES:
The Kukrail Gharial and Turtle Rehabilita-
tion Centre (KGTRC) was established in
1978 by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Depart-
ment to help mitigate the decline of the
Sukumar, lead keeper of Northern River Terrapins at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, proudly shows off
growing juvenile turtles. PHOTO CREDIT: SHAILENDRA SINGH
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
34
Indian Gharial. Since 2014, TSA India
has been developing assurance colonies of
endangered turtles through animal and egg
translocations from other captive loca-
tions, as well as building the Laboratory
for Aquatic Biology to further sustain new
activities like parasitological studies. The
Centre maintains 81 turtles representing
seven endangered species for conservation
breeding, temporary transit, and pre-release
quarantine; the most recent additions being
18 newly hatched Crowned River Turtles
in May. Additionally, in taking advantage
of the Centre as a central tourist attraction
in Lucknow, we have sustained the Kukrail
Guided Nature Tour, our flagship reptile
education and outreach program there. Fur-
thermore, we have assisted in the handling
and release of 980 turtles representing 8
species rescued from illegal trade, as well as
conducted five Forest Department frontline
trainings regarding identification of turtles,
primary handling during confiscation, and
implementation of the Indian Wildlife Pro-
tection Act to apprehend the accused.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH:
Reaching a maximum number of stakehold-
ers and community members has been a
major objective of this project, for which
a variety of educational resource materi-
als were designed and distributed. Aware-
ness activities such as a Teacher Training
Program, cluster-level education programs,
riverside school follow-ups, community
awareness programs, exhibitions, clean-up
campaigns along important turtle habitats,
poacher conversion, and fishermen work-
shops, were conducted on various days of
the environment calendar; notably World
Turtle Day, International Biodiversity
Day, and National Wildlife Week. We are
proud to say that, overall, the project ad-
dressed over 15,000 community members
and children across the country, organized
seven Forest Department trainings targeting
200 personnel, supervised three Master’s
dissertations, and we have been invited on
several occasions to share our experiences
by esteemed universities such as the Univer-
sity of Lucknow.
Acknowledgements: We thank institu-
tions such as Alan and Patricia Koval
Foundation, British Chelonia Group, Delta
Foundation, Disney Conservation Fund,
Forest and Wildlife Departments of Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal,
Assam, and Nagaland, Madhya Pradesh
State Biodiversity Board, Oklahoma City
Zoo and Botanical Garden, People’s Trust
for Endangered Species, Phoenix Zoo,
San Antonio Zoo, San Diego Zoo Global,
Sedgwick County Zoo, Turtle Conserva-
tion Fund, University of California-Los
Angeles, Wildlife Conservation Society,
Wildlife Conservation Trust, Wildlife Trust
of India, and Woodland Park Zoo for
their critical partnerships. Mrunmayee
Amarnath, Anish Andheria, Ms Kalpana
Awasthi, SK Awasthi, DP Bankhwal,
Noor Begum, Sarvesh Bhadauria, Arvind
Chaturvedi, Rupak De, GV Gravial, Kausar
J Hilali, Jill Jollay, Himanshu Joshi, Ullas
Karanth, Abu Arshad Khan, Shanawaz
Khan, Alok Kumar, Anand Kumar, Pawan
Kumar, Jose Louis, Nilanjan Mallick, SK
Mohanta, Rajesh Mukherji, R Sreenivasa
Murthy, Sunil Pandey, Amit Singh, Ram
Pratap Singh, RK Singh, Sanjay Singh,
Anand Kumar Srivastava, Prakriti Sriv-
astava, Sanjay Srivastava, Obed Swu,
Elizabeth Thomas, RK Tripathi, SK Tripa-
thi, SK Upadhyay, Tillotama Verma, and
Roy Young are thanked for support and
guidance.
Contact: Shailendra Singh, PhD, WCS India/
TSA India Field Program Office, D1/317
Sector F, Jankipuram, Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh, India [shai@turtlesurvival.org]
Dr. Shailendra Singh was invited as resource personnel for a South
Asian regional investigative support meeting to combat illegal turtle
and tortoise trade in Bangladesh from July 24-25, 2018. The meeting
was organized by the International Police’s (INTERPOL) Environmen-
tal Security Wing and Dr. Singh was nominated as a primary resource
by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). Dr. Singh conducted an
interactive session at Hazrat Shah Jalal Airport, Dhaka, for 50 high-
level representatives from police, customs, airport authorities, and the
forest department about turtle product identification, national and
international (CITES) laws, and primary handling techniques for rescued
turtles. Later, participants were taken for a demonstration and hands-on
session for the detection of turtles in airport scanners. Various medi-
ums, such as aluminum foil and black cloth, were used to hide a variety
of consignments of turtles and tortoises, and participants were tasked
with their detection. Photos of real-time imagery from the scanners,
as well as live turtle specimens were also taken to aid the authorities in
future identification of wildlife trafficking.
Indian Flapshell Turtles (Lissemys punctata) res-
cued from illicit trade constitute a large number
of the turtles rehabilitated at the KGTRC. PHOTO
CREDIT: APURVA BANDAL
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 35
Subadult Burmese Roofed Turtles basking on a warm March morning on a bamboo raft at the TSA/WCS head starting facility in Limpha Village on the
Chindwin River. PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE PLATT
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
MYANMAR
Tide Slowly Turns in the Struggle to Save
Myanmar’s Critically Endangered Turtles
Since the early 2000s, the Turtle Survival
Alliance (TSA), working in partnership with
the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS),
has sought to check the seemingly inexo-
rable decline of Myanmar’s turtles using
a combination of in and ex situ programs
focused on the most critically endangered
species. From its modest beginnings in the
early 2000s, the TSA/WCS program has
Steve and Kalyar Platt
since grown into a conservation task force
of almost 100 full and part-time personnel
including village-based staff, beach war-
dens, community conservation volunteers,
enforcement rangers, assurance colony care-
takers, researchers, and managers. Stationed
at far-flung locations across Myanmar, this
assemblage of personnel works toward a
common goal of safeguarding Myanmar’s
turtle diversity for future generations. With
porous international borders, an entrenched
network of illicit traffickers, subsistence
harvesting by the agrarian poor, widespread
habitat destruction, and a rapidly developing
economy, turtle conservation in Myanmar
is, without question, a daunting task. None-
theless, the tide appears to be slowly turn-
ing. As Winston Churchill said in a speech
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
36
A male Burmese Star Tortoise is outfitted with a radio transmitter and tattoos of Buddhist symbols in
preparation for its wild release. PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE PLATT
to parliament during the early days of World
War II, “…this is not the end. It is not even
the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps,
the end of the beginning.” Perhaps the past
year (2017-18) was indeed the “end of the
beginning” in our fight to save Myanmar’s
turtles. Notable among the many promising
developments is our continued success in
restoring wild populations of Burmese Star
Tortoises (Geochelone platynota), the great
strides in ex and in situ conservation of the
Burmese Roofed Turtle (Batagur trivittata),
and the triaging of another major confisca-
tion of Big-headed Turtles (Platysternon
megacephalum).
RESTORING THE BURMESE STAR
TORTOISE
The Burmese Star Tortoise is endemic to
the dry zone of Myanmar, a desert-like
region in the central part of the country
where subsistence harvesting and habitat
loss have long been factors in the decline
of this species. Sadly the death knell for the
Burmese Star Tortoise sounded in the late
1990s when this stunningly beautiful animal
became avidly sought by the high-end
international pet market. Within a decade,
wholesale collecting had emptied the dry
zone of its tortoises. By the mid-2000s, the
Burmese Star Tortoise was ecologically
extinct in the wild. Fortunately, however,
ecological extinction failed to translate
into biological extinction. Recognizing the
few remaining wild tortoises could not be
effectively protected, the Myanmar Forest
Department working together with TSA
and WCS, established assurance colonies
at Lawkanandar, Minzontaung, and Shwe
Settaw wildlife sanctuaries with the objec-
tive of producing offspring for headstarting
and eventual restoration into the national
protected area system.
A National Star Tortoise Action Plan we
prepared with our governmental partners set
forth the ambitious goal of restoring viable
wild populations of Star Tortoises at every
protected area within the dry zone. Our
strategy to achieve this objective is two-
fold: reintroduce captive bred and headstart-
ed tortoises; then effectively protect restored
populations through efficient law enforce-
ment, a must considering the high-dollar
value these beautiful tortoises continue to
command in the illegal wildlife trade.
Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctuary (MWS)
was selected for our first attempt in restor-
ing a wild tortoise population using captive
bred offspring from the assurance colonies.
The reintroduction was preceded by an
intense community awareness and education
campaign that sought to “win the hearts and
minds” of villagers living adjacent to the
sanctuary. Modeled on pioneering efforts to
restore Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphe-
mus) populations in the southeastern United
States, we crafted a “soft-release” strategy
for repatriating captive bred Star Tortoises
into the wild. In brief, tortoises are held in
1-ha acclimation pens deep within the sanc-
tuary before being released 12 months later.
Based on what we learned by radio-tracking
liberated tortoises, releases now occur at the
height of the annual dry season (January-
February) when tortoises are less apt to
wander. Post-release dispersal is a critical
consideration given that MWS is surround-
ed by village agricultural fields where wan-
dering tortoises are at risk from poachers.
Releases took place in 2014, 2015, 2016,
and again in 2018 and to date, 862 Star
Tortoises have been liberated at MWS. In
addition, numerous instances of successful
nesting by reintroduced tortoises have been
documented, a fact that bodes well for the
future of this population. At present, another
300 tortoises are in acclimation pens await-
ing release in February 2019.
Building on lessons learned at MWS, we
launched a second, more ambitious reintro-
duction program in 2016 at Shwe Settaw
Wildlife Sanctuary (SSWS), an expansive
protected area that could ultimately support
tens of thousands of wild Star Tortoises.
Before releasing any tortoises at SSWS, it
was first necessary to wrest control of the
area from poachers and timber cutters, who
had long enjoyed unfettered, albeit illegal,
access to the sanctuary. As part of this
effort, we recruited Community Conserva-
tion Volunteers (CCVs) from local villages,
who assisted with field work and served
as our eyes in nearby communities, ever
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 37
alert for information on poachers and their
nefarious activities.
Using the proven reintroduction protocols
we developed at MWS, three acclima-
tion pens were built in SSWS in 2016 and
stocked with 150 headstarted tortoises.
After a year of residence, the tortoises were
released into the surrounding forest where
we continue to monitor their movements
with radio telemetry. Survival has been high
and most of the liberated tortoises quickly
established a home range near the acclima-
tion pens. During 2017, and again in 2018,
we encountered hatchlings just out of the
nest, confirming these reintroduced tortoises
are now successfully reproducing.
Given the success of the first reintroduc-
tion at SSWS, we dramatically scaled-up
our efforts in 2018. We combed all three
assurance colonies, selecting 950 tortoises
for release. The carapace of each tortoise
was emblazoned with a set of unique iden-
tification numbers on one side and Bud-
dhist iconography on the other; the latter
designed to deter superstitious villagers who
may be tempted to purloin a tortoise they
chance upon in the forest. In January 2018,
after a ceremony involving area villagers,
government officials, community leaders,
and Buddhist monks, the 950 tortoises were
transferred to acclimation pens with release
slated for mid-January 2019.
Complimenting these efforts, in late 2017
we initiated an experimental egg transloca-
tion program at MWS and SSWS, whereby
eggs produced by females in the assurance
colonies are unearthed and reburied in
the wild. Although widely used to restore
populations of threatened birds, to our
knowledge, egg translocation has never
been attempted with any species of tortoise
or freshwater turtle. In addition to being
much less expensive than traditional head-
starting, allowing eggs to hatch in the wild
will subject young tortoises to a regime of
natural selection that cannot be duplicated
under captive conditions. Mortality among
wild-born hatchlings will undoubtedly be
high, but low juvenile survival is a typi-
cal life history trait of long-lived tortoises,
and survivors are expected to be hardier,
more robust, and better adapted for life in
the wild. Furthermore, the natural loss of
Village youngsters examine Burmese Star Tortoises before releasing them into a spacious acclimation pen at Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctuary.
PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE PLATT
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
38
juvenile tortoises poses no risk to the cap-
tive population, which continues to increase
at an annual rate of 30-35%. In the end, the
results of our experimental program were
mixed, with many nests at SSWS lost to
flooding caused by unprecedented rainfall.
In contrast, some nests at MWS experi-
enced lethally high temperatures during the
incubation period, although others hatched
successfully. In light of these setbacks,
translocation protocols are being revised
prior to the 2018-19 nesting season.
BURMESE ROOFED TURTLE
CONSERVATION
The Burmese Roofed Turtle is endemic to
the larger river systems of Myanmar, most
notably the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin
rivers. Historic accounts indicate these river
turtles were once abundant, even assem-
bling in “herds” to bask along sandbars in
the Ayeyarwady Delta. Tragically, inten-
sive sustained harvesting of the tasty eggs
by riverside communities led to slow but
inevitable population declines. The Burmese
Roofed Turtle was feared extinct until 2001
when small remnant populations were “re-
discovered” in the Dokhtawady and upper
Chindwin rivers. In and ex situ conservation
programs implemented at the last possible
moment arrested the death spiral of the
Roofed Turtle, although numbers remain
perilously low and are but a fraction of
historic levels.
Our efforts to restore the Burmese Roofed
Turtle continue to make headway and
remain critical for the continued survival
of this species. The Mandalay Zoo houses
an assurance colony founded with turtles
rescued from pagoda ponds as well as others
confiscated from fishermen. This is the
only facility anywhere in the world that has
succeeded in propagating Burmese Roofed
Turtles in captivity. In 2017, small adjust-
ments in husbandry protocols resulted in 91
hatchlings being produced at the zoo. 2018
proved to be yet another banner year, with
155 hatchlings emerging from two artificial
nesting sandbanks at the zoo. These hatch-
lings are now being headstarted at the zoo
and we hope to return them to the wild in
the next five to seven years. Two additional
assurance colonies in Myanmar consisting
of almost 200 Burmese Roofed Turtles are
expected to begin producing eggs in the
next 1-2 years, and another group of 25
adults on loan to Wildlife Reserves Singa-
pore will hopefully begin reproducing at
about the same time.
Standing in marked contrast to the situation
in captivity, the status of the only remaining
wild population of Burmese Roofed Turtles
remains tenuous at best, with fewer than
10 breeding adults surviving in the upper
Chindwin River. Every year, we collect
eggs from these turtles and head start the
offspring at Basecamp Batagur, a TSA/WCS
facility in Limpha Village along the Chind-
win River. A trial release of 60 headstarted
Roofed Turtles in 2015 yielded mixed re-
sults when many of the transmitters attached
to turtles failed, turtles dispersed long
distances up and down the river, and some
falling victim to monofilament fishing nets.
Although none of the reintroduced turtles
can currently be accounted for, our efforts
nonetheless seem to have yielded positive
results. In the year following reintroduc-
tion (2016), one of three clutches exca-
vated from nesting sandbanks near Limpha
Village proved fertile. In 2017, all three
clutches we recovered consisted of fertile
eggs (only infertile clutches were produced
in 2014 and 2015, perhaps because the few
surviving males had perished). Even more
exciting, one of these clutches consisted
of a small number of eggs which led us to
speculate that a young female released in
2015 had returned to nest. By early June, 68
Roofed Turtles had successfully hatched,
and combined with record reproduction
at the Mandalay Zoo, made the 2017-18
breeding season the most productive since
recovery efforts were launched in 2006.
In March 2018, a second group of 30
headstarted turtles were plucked from the
grow-out ponds at Basecamp Batagur and
transferred to an acclimation pen in the
Chindwin River near Limpha Village. Work-
2018 was a record-breaking year for Burmese Roofed Turtle reproduction with 223 hatchlings
produced between two conservation facilities. PHOTO CREDIT: KALYAR PLATT
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 39
ing under the technical guidance of Sitha
Som (WCS Cambodia Program), we at-
tached sonic transmitters to 10 of the turtles
just a few days prior to the transfer. Our
plan was to hold the turtles in the pen for
about 30 days before releasing the group,
but even the best laid plans of mice and men
go astray, and this one was no exception –
after only a few days in the pen the turtles
had escaped! All was not lost though, as we
immediately began tracking the escapees
using the sonic telemetry apparatus. Early
results indicate the turtles took up residence
in the deep pools near Limpha Village.
Whether the turtles will remain in the
release area when wet season floodwaters
surge downstream later this year remains an
open question.
One quandary that continues to perplex us
is the case of “Lonely Ma Gyi” (Lonely Big
Female), a solitary female turtle dwelling
far up the Chindwin River near Sein Naing
Village that produces a clutch of infertile
eggs every year, presumably because a
suitable male consort is nowhere to be had.
Given the inbred status of the Roofed Turtle
population (both in the wild and captivity),
the inherent genetic value of Lonely Ma Gyi
is obvious. In 2018, Lonely Ma Gyi was
joined by a second female, possibly one of
the turtles released in 2015, that somehow
managed to find her way upstream after
running a gauntlet of fishing nets in the 40
km of river between Sein Naing and Limpha
villages.
Like her partner, this second female also
produced a clutch of infertile eggs. In hopes
of capturing the genes from both females,
we are now undertaking the reintroduction
of 20 captive-bred males into the Chindwin
River at Sein Naing Village. In a variant
of our soft-release strategy, the males are
being held in a floating acclimation pen
for about two months and will be released
in late November, just before, we assume,
when mating naturally occurs. We intend to
incorporate any offspring produced by these
females into the captive breeding program
in order to ensure their genetic representa-
tion in future generations.
Finally, hoping to reduce incidental capture
of Roofed Turtles in fishing gear – the lead-
ing cause of mortality among reintroduced
turtles – we launched a community-based
fisheries project in late 2017. Working to-
gether with local fishers in 39 villages along
the Chindwin River, we are currently delin-
eating critical habitat for both fisheries and
turtles, and developing guidelines for pro-
tecting these areas. These mutually agreed
upon guidelines are designed to protect
turtles while, at the same time, ensuring the
sustainability of local fisheries. Given the
recent nesting success among wild turtles
on the Chindwin River, booming produc-
tion of hatchlings at the Mandalay Zoo, and
efforts to reduce fishing-related mortality,
the future prospects of the Burmese Roofed
Turtle are much brighter than we would
have dared imagine just a few years ago.
BIG-HEADED TURTLE CONSERVATION
The Big-headed Turtle is fast rising to
prominence in the traffic of illegal wildlife
emanating from Myanmar. The sudden high
demand stems in part from commercial-
scale farming plans by turtle breeders in
southern China. In dire need of mature
breeding stock, turtle farmers are now
paying top dollar for adult Big-headed
Turtles and, as a consequence, this species
appears to be safe nowhere within its range.
Even well-protected national parks in Thai-
land have suffered repeated incursions by
organized gangs of poachers bent on capital-
izing on the high demand for this species.
The situation was brought home to us in late
2016 when authorities chanced upon almost
1,000 Big-headed Turtles in the compound
of a shadowy Hong Kong-based wildlife
trafficker operating in southern Myanmar
on the Thai-Myanmar border. The turtles
were confiscated by the Myanmar Forest
Department and turned over to the TSA/
WCS Turtle Rescue Center near Maymyo.
Unfortunately, the vast majority were near-
death having suffered months of abuse,
starvation, and uncaring neglect at the hands
of the traffickers.
Despite weeks of heroic medical care by an
TSA/WCS staff at Lawkanandar Wildlife Sanctury handle captive-reared Burmese Roofed Turtles
following their health assessments. PHOTO CREDIT: WCS/TSA
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
40
One of 385 Big-headed Turtles confiscated from
wildlife traffickers in late 2017 and now housed at the
TSA/WCS Turtle Rescue facility in Maymyo.
PHOTO CREDIT: NAY WIN KYAW
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 41
international team of wildlife veterinarians,
most of the turtles eventually succumbed.
This scenario was repeated in late 2017
when 385 Big-headed Turtles were discov-
ered at a compound in Tachileick, a lawless
town on the Myanmar-Thai border with a
well-deserved reputation as a smuggler’s
haven. Customs authorities immediately
contacted TSA/WCS and we transported
the turtles to the TRC and another weeks-
long rescue operation began. This group
proved to be in much better condition and
359 of the 385 confiscated turtles survive
to this day.
Housing the surviving Big-headed Turtles
from both confiscations (almost 500 turtles)
has strained our resources to the breaking
point, owing to the exacting husbandry
requirements of this cantankerous species,
which, except when breeding, refuse to
tolerate the presence of conspecifics. It was
thus with great relief that in early 2018, we
secured funding to construct a state-of-the-
art facility specifically tailored for Big-
headed Turtles. The design of this facility
will draw heavily on the expertise of hus-
bandrymen from the TSA’s Turtle Survival
Center (South Carolina) and the WCS-Pros-
pect Park Zoo (Brooklyn, New York), both
among the few facilities worldwide able
to successfully maintain and consistently
propagate Big-headed Turtles. Our plan is
to incorporate 100 Big-headed Turtles into
the nascent assurance colony and repatriate
the remaining turtles into protected areas in
southern and eastern Myanmar. Although
methodologies for successfully repatriating
Big-headed Turtles into the wild currently
do not exist, we recently secured additional
funding to conduct a pilot study to test dif-
ferent soft-release strategies for this species.
Contingent on the outcome of this study, we
hope to begin returning the bulk of our Big-
headed Turtles to the wild in early 2020.
Acknowledgements: For their steadfast
and generous support of the TSA/WCS
Myanmar Turtle Conservation Program,
we wish to recognize the following
donors: Andrew Sabin and the Sabin
Family Foundation, Andrew Walde, Criti-
cal Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Paul
and Linda Gould, Helmsley Charitable
Trust, Holohil Systems, Ltd., Panaphil
Foundation, Debbie Behler, Turtle Con-
servation Fund, and Wildlife Conserva-
tion Society.
Contact: Steven G. Platt and Kalyar
Platt, Turtle Survival Alliance and Wildlife
Conservation Society, No. 12, Nanrattaw
St., Kamayut Township, Yangon, Union of
Myanmar [sgplatt@gmail.com; kalyar-
platt@gmail.com]
Buddhist monks holding Burmese Star Tortoises circle a mountaintop pagoda during a “donation ceremony” at Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctuary in late Feb-
ruary 2018. The tortoises are symbolically donated to the monks as part of the ceremony. PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE PLATT
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
42
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
INDONESIA – SUMATRA
Strengthening Community Based Conservation for
Long-Term Survival of the Painted Terrapin
The Satucita Foundation, a TSA partner,
has implemented conservation activities for
the critically endangered Painted Terrapin
(Batagur borneoensis) on the island of
Sumatra, Indonesia since 2011. Nest patrols,
egg-clutch translocations, hatchling and head
start release programs, population monitor-
ing, community empowerment and outreach,
and field research are the foundations for our
conservation activities. To date, a total of
1,637 hatchling and juvenile terrapins, vary-
ing in age from neonate to 14 months old,
have been released into the rivers and estuar-
ies of the District of Aceh Tamiang.
NEST PATROL AND MONITORING
Annual nest patrols are the cornerstone for
our initiative to conserve Painted Terrapins
on the island of Sumatra. This activity is con-
ducted every nesting season, from late No-
vember through March or April, to safeguard
eggs through translocation. Threats that
would otherwise result in the partial or total
loss of annual population recruitment, includ-
ing predation from wild pig (Sus scrofa),
beach refuse, and unsustainable harvesting,
have sharply decreased since we began con-
ducting this activity several years ago.
This past year’s nest patrols in Aceh Tamiang
were carried out from December 2017 to
March 2018. To completely canvas the
nesting beaches, we work together with
staff members of the Department of Natural
Resources and Ecosystem Conservation of
the Ministry of Forestry (BKSDA) - Aceh,
staff members of the Aceh Tamiang Fisheries
Office, and local villagers. Nest locating is
a considerable endeavor. Each night for 120
patrol nights, the teams conduct two patrols
Joko Guntoro
at 2000 hours and 0400 hours. Over the
course of 6 hours, the team canvases approxi-
mately 10.4 km of beach for a seasonal total
of 1,248 km walked over 720 search hours.
Over the four-month duration of patrols, we
successfully located and secured 28 nests
containing 460 eggs from two beaches.
Of the 460 eggs translocated and incubated by
us at the Satucita Foundation village hatchery,
343 eggs (75%) successfully hatched, while
4 nests exhibited total failure. One hatchling
from each of the 24 successful clutches will be
head started at the Painted Terrapin Informa-
tion Center as per our long-term objective. The
remaining 319 were released on 19 August
2018 at their natal beach. The release ceremony
was attended by government officials, our local
partners, program supporters, and villagers.
In addition to our annual nest patrols in Aceh
Tamiang, this year we began nest patrols in
collaboration with the BKSDA Utara Region
II Stabat in the District of Langkat, North
Sumatra. These patrols were enacted after
two adult female terrapins were accidentally
caught by fishing nets in the district. The two
females were successfully PIT tagged, had
morphometric data taken, and released by
Satucita Foundation and BKSDA staff. These
adult female findings not only represented
the Satucita Foundation’s first records of the
species in North Sumatra, but were a good
indication that a reproductive population
exists in the province.
Concluding on 28 January 2018, patrols on the
beaches of Langkat yielded the translocation of
only one viable nest containing 24 eggs despite
Joko Guntoro, local leaders, and government officials release 433 hatchling Painted Terrapins on 19
August 2018 on the beach of Ujung Tamiang. PHOTO CREDIT: ABDUL HAKIM
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 43
5 nests being located. The other nests were
found to have been depredated or exhumed by
humans. Incubated at a hatchery in Langkat,
this single clutch of eggs unfortunately did not
successfully hatch on account of their depreda-
tion by ants in the artificial nest. Although this
first year of nest translocations in Langkat was
met with limited success, we plan to patrol its
beaches again next nesting season.
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
Poverty is a general phenomenon commonly
observed around the habitats of threatened
species in Sumatra, including that of the
Painted Terrapin. The Satucita Foundation
believes that to recover wild populations local
communities must be empowered through the
attainment of knowledge, skills, and sustain-
able activities. This will provide them the abil-
ity to utilize natural resources in a sustainable
manner should a conservation organization or
program exit from that location. To achieve
that vision, the Painted Terrapin Information
Centre was completed and inaugurated in
October of 2017. The Centre was built by PT
Pertamina, a state-owned oil and natural gas
corporation, is owned by the village govern-
ment of Pusung Kapal, and managed by a
community group approved by the village
government. Satucita Foundation supervises
the management of the facility and com-
munity group, and also aids the community
group in developing educational tourism
related to Painted Terrapin and mangrove
forest conservation. As of 15 September 2018,
approximately 800 hundred visitors have
toured the facility — most of them students
and scouts from Subdistrict Seruway, Aceh.
Although revenue generated by these visitors
for the community group is still small, it’s a
good start!
To increase local knowledge capacity for
ecotourism, a member of the community group
visited well-known ecotourism enterprises
in Tangkahan and Lubuk Kertang. About 20
years ago, illegal logging was rampant in both
locations. Now, these places have become
destinations for ecotourism activities. In three
days of visitation, the members of the commu-
nity group learned the history of, practical skills
for, and experiences from their transition from a
culture of illegal logging to one of ecotourism.
Additionally, we have monthly meetings with
the community group to evaluate complications
in developing tourism, and how to solve them.
Furthermore, beach cleaning and mangrove and
pine tree plantings were performed this year.
All these endeavors are taken in order to build a
foundation for developing villagers’ economic
income and strengthen long-term Painted
Terrapin conservation. However, we are aware
that these activities are centered around the as-
sumption that community empowerment must
be based on terrapin and wildlife conservation.
Therefore, proper criteria and guidelines must
be prepared carefully, so as not to bring nega-
tive impacts upon the terrapins.
RESEARCH
The Satucita Foundation is currently
conducting two research initiatives for the
Painted Terrapin: one, a fecal analysis study
to determine natural diet; and the second,
an analysis of genetic variation within the
wild population. For the latter study, DNA
was collected from 30 hatchlings repre-
senting 30 unique nests. Results from this
genetic analysis demonstrate that the regional
population is at risk of experiencing a long
term bottleneck. Improving knowledge of our
species through larger sample sizes, discov-
ery of other wild populations, further genetic
analysis, and establishing assurance colonies
are future priorities for the Satucita Founda-
tion’s Painted Terrapin conservation efforts.
Acknowledgements: We would like to
thank Turtle Survival Alliance, Houston
Zoo, Chester Zoo, Taronga Conservation
Society, and Pertamina EP Field Rantau.
Contact: Joko Guntoro, Satucita Founda-
tion, Dusun Mawar, Bukit Rata, Kejuruan
Muda, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh, Indonesia
24477. [jokoguntoro@gmail.com]
This female Painted Terrapin represents the Satucita Foundation’s first record of the species in the
province of North Sumatra. PHOTO CREDIT: YUSRIONO
Hatchling Painted Terrapin on the beach of Aceh
Tamiang. PHOTO CREDIT: JOKO GUNTORO
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
44
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
INDONESIA — SULAWESI
A Long-Awaited Start for a TSA Program in Sulawesi
Rich in herpetofaunal diversity, the Indonesian
island of Sulawesi is home to two endemic
chelonians, the critically endangered Sulawesi
Forest Turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi) and
the endangered Forsten’s Tortoise (Indotestu-
do forstenii). As there has been little previous
research or conservation efforts focused on
these species, their population status is based
primarily on anecdotal information. Subject to
the combined one-two punch of severe habitat
destruction and collection for the pet and
bushmeat trades, these species could soon face
extinction in the wild. Furthermore, neither
species is listed as protected within Indonesia,
thus adding to the urgency of this project.
We have partnered with Bogor Agricultural
University (IPB), West Java and Tadulako Uni-
versity (UNTAD), Central Sulawesi to conduct
population surveys to determine both species’
distribution. This will allow us to work toward
ensuring their long-term survivability as we gain
a better grasp of needed conservation initia-
tives to employ (i.e. uplisted IUCN statuses and
CITES listings, stricter import/export laws, and
increased local protection) and what is needed to
advocate for these changes. Survey results will
initiate long-term, community-based monitoring
programs. Radio-tracking will provide valuable
CHRISTINE LIGHT
information on home-range, habitat preferences,
foraging, reproductive, and nesting behaviors.
This information will yield a better understand-
ing of the requirements necessary for successful
captive breeding, and assist in identifying suit-
able habitat for their future survival in the wild.
During population surveys conducted in early
2018, we identified a population of Sulawesi
Forest Turtle from which a subset of animals
will be affixed with transmitters. Data col-
lected and information attained will create
a better overall assessment of this severely
understudied species, their conservation needs,
and the necessary husbandry requirements
for the development of a captive breeding
program. Concurrently, with our partners
from UNTAD, we are developing an in situ
captive breeding program, initially focusing
on I. forstenii. This program will not only
provide a platform for education and outreach,
plus the opportunity to study a population of
released turtles as an on-campus research and
training project, but will also allow for the
development of assurance colonies for future
reintroduction programs.
Through citizen science and capacity build-
ing, students and residents are trained and
empowered to participate in field work and
the breeding program, thus establishing more
community awareness. In turn, educational
programs are implemented at local universi-
ties, schools, and in communities to promote
a positive perception toward the conservation
of these species and their habitats. Combined
findings will contribute to the long-term goals
of building much-needed assurance colonies
and identifying parcels of land that might be
purchased and protected to become sustainable
preserves for these and other species.
Acknowledgements: We would like to
thank the Chicago Zoological Society/Chi-
cago Board of Trade Species Conservation
Fund, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Columbus
Zoo and Aquarium, Global Wildlife Conser-
vation, Holohil System Ltd., Mohamed bin
Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Oklaho-
ma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Phoenix
Zoo, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Turtle
Conservation Fund, and Wildlife Reserves
Singapore for supporting this project.
Contact: Christine Light, Sulawesi Project
Coordinator, Turtle Survival Alliance, 1030
Jenkins Rd. Ste. D, Charleston, SC, USA
29407 [clight@turtlesurvival.org]
Forsten’s Tortoise collected by local staff mem-
ber that was processed and released back into
the wild. PHOTO CREDIT: CHRISTINE LIGHT
Local staff being trained to assist in population surveys. PHOTO CREDIT: BILLY LOLOWANG
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 45
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
VIETNAM
In Search of the Legend: Environmental DNA Used
to Find the World’s Rarest Turtle
2016 brought the plight of the Yangtze
Giant Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) to
international attention with the passing of
the individual that lived in Hoan Kiem Lake
in Hanoi, Vietnam. This animal, known
affectionately as Cụ Rùa, meaning Great
Grandfather Turtle in the local dialect, was
considered sacred by the Vietnamese due
to a 15th century legend claiming the turtle
played a part in establishing Vietnam’s in-
Timothy McCormack1, Dr. Brian Horne2, Andrew Walde3, Dr. Tracie Seimon2, Hoang Van Ha1,
Nguyen Tai Thang1, Nguyen Van Long2, and Dr. Le Duc Minh4
dependence. The passing of this animal had
dropped four known specimens of the spe-
cies to three, making it the rarest of the rare.
However, the legend lives on, and is aiding
the search for more individuals. To this end,
the body of the Hoan Kiem Turtle provided
tissue samples that were instrumental in al-
lowing genetic labs to start investigating the
use of Environmental DNA (eDNA) to help
search for new specimens.
For the past 15 years, The Asian Turtle Pro-
gram (ATP) of Indo Myanmar Conservation
(IMC) has undertaken interview surveys
and identified sites where the Yangtze Giant
Softshell Turtle has historically occurred
and potentially might still survive. At some
sites, intensive periods of observation have
been used to try and confirm new animals.
This resulted in finding the R. swinhoei
in Dong Mo Lake in 2007. However, this
Research technicians perform eDNA training on Dong Mo Lake with WCS and CRES. PHOTO CREDIT: TIM MCCORMACK
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
46
method is time consuming and the absence
of a visual sighting does not mean an animal
is not present. Thus, these sites remain on
the list of potential sites. In 2016, a col-
laboration was formed to use eDNA in the
search for R. swinhoei. That team consisted
of Dr. Caren Goldberg from the Washington
State University. Dr. Goldberg is a pioneer
of the technique who, along with the Turtle
Survival Alliance (TSA), has supported a
team from the ATP to collect samples for
analysis from a number of priority lakes.
Lakes were chosen from the list created that
had information on possible surviving R.
swinhoei, using Dong Mo as a control lake
with a confirmed individual of the species.
Collection of samples is a time sensitive and
laborious process that involves using hand
pumps to pull the water samples in as well
as papers that need drying, handling, and
careful processing, all of which is difficult
in the humidity.
One focus site for the eDNA sampling was
Xuan Khanh Lake, not far from Dong Mo
Lake. This lake first came to our attention
in 2012 when fishermen reported trying to
catch a very large turtle. A low resolution
photograph taken with a local’s phone could
have been a large turtle, but the image was
too grainy to be sure. Intensive observa-
tions by the ATP team at the time could not
confirm the animal, but a local counterpart
was hired to provide updates from the site.
Fast forward to 2016, and fresh information
was reported from the lake. After months of
observation, the team was able, on a number
of occasions, to photograph a large softshell
turtle. Although obviously a large softshell
turtle, the images still could not provide a
clear identification, but the team’s experience
at Dong Mo had them convinced it was an-
other Rafetus. This animal’s confirmation as
Rafetus by use of eDNA, brought the known
population back up to four individuals.
The success of the Rafetus identification
spurred further eDNA research. The Wild-
life Conservation Society (WCS) Molecular
Program, based at the Bronx Zoo, has been
working for the past two years to make
testing of water samples more field-friendly
through the development of portable DNA
test kits which are used to identify R.
swinhoei in water samples. This kit utilizes
a purpose-built backpack containing a
highly efficient peristaltic pump to filter
water samples at the lake’s edge and capture
eDNA on the spot—greatly reducing the
time for sample collection and filtration.
Key to the new portable system is a mobile
smartphone-driven handheld PCR machine
(a DNA amplifier) that analyzes DNA data
using the smartphone’s built in camera and
app. Results are uploaded through cloud
technology via Wi-Fi, thereby providing
almost instantaneous results to the team.
In May and June of 2018, we hosted a train-
ing workshop and field testing of the new
eDNA equipment. Participants included
staff from the Wildlife Conservation Society
- Vietnam Program, Asian Turtle Program
(ATP) of Indo Myanmar Conservation
(IMC), and Centre for Natural Resources
and Environmental Studies (CRES), of
Vietnam National University (VNU). The
CRES has a laboratory, PCR machines,
and staff who will be involved in future R.
swinhoei eDNA activities. Results from
the larger lakes have been challenging with
negative results thus far from our control
locations, Dong Mo and Xuan Khanh
Lakes, where an individual of Rafetus
swinhoei is regularly observed and photo-
graphed. Important factors that likely affect
the results include dilution of eDNA in the
larger lakes (Dong Mo has a water capacity
of over 110,000,000m3) and, at certain times
of the year, high water temperatures that are
known to affect the degradation or half-life
of eDNA. The plan now is to investigate
and optimize the sampling strategy, try
sampling during different seasons (tem-
peratures) to identify the optimal season of
sampling, whilst simultaneously continuing
with monitoring and other survey methods.
We are excited to have this new tool in our
turtle survey field kit, and look forward to
unleashing its potential in the fight for the
Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle.
Acknowledgements: This work received
support from the Mohammad Bin Zayed
Species Conservation Fund, Critical
Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Turtle
Conservation Fund, British Chelonian
Group, Ocean Park Conservation Fund,
the G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation, and
anonymous donor support.
Contact: 1 - Timothy McCormack, Asian
Turtle Program (ATP) of Indo-Myanmar
Conservation [tmccormack@asiantur-
tleprogram.org]; 2 – Brian Horne, PhD,
Wildlife Conservation Society [bri-
andhorne@hotmail.com]; 3 – Andrew
Walde, Turtle Survival Alliance [awalde@
turtlesurvival.org]; 4 – Le Duc Minh,
PhD, Centre for Natural Resources and
Environmental Studies [minh.le.cres@
gmail.com]
A Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle surfaces from
the water in northern Vietnam. PHOTO CREDIT: TIM
MCCORMACK
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 47
Male Hainan G. spengleri fighting for his freedom in a villager’s hand. One village has accounted for
most of the decline in Hainan type G. spengleri, as over 2,500 animals have been collected in the last
three years. PHOTO CREDIT: DANIEL GAILLARD
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
Daniel Gaillard, Haitao Shi, Liu Lin, Xiao Fanrong, Jeffrey Dawson, Shiping Gong
CHINA
An Optimistic Outlook for Turtle Conservation in China
China has played a major role in the global
decline of turtle populations. Previously,
food and medicine markets were responsible
for a massive trade in wild-caught turtles,
seriously impacting both China’s native
species as well as turtles abroad. While the
demand for these products is now largely
supplied by farm-raised turtles, tens of
thousands of wild-caught turtles continue
to be imported (often smuggled illegally)
or captured in China each year. Today, a
booming interest in pet turtles within China
is the primary driver of trade. This hobby
has spawned an obsession to obtain turtles,
particularly rare or unusual species, from
countries across the world. At the same
time, however, conservation awareness is
increasing in China. As a result, now is the
perfect time to begin a concerted effort to
educate the public about turtle conservation
and initiate projects within China to miti-
gate the effects of the last several decades
on turtle populations.
For a conservation program to be success-
ful, local partners are essential. In China,
we have formed collaborations with Hainan
Normal University and the Guangdong
Institute of Applied Biological Resources,
two organizations with extensive experience
in Chinese turtle research and conservation.
These partnerships have been instrumen-
tal in enabling us to conduct field work
on rare, native turtles. Field and village
surveys in eastern and southern China have
identified extant populations for 10 species,
along with providing insights into their life
histories and historical ranges. Moreover,
we have learned of the broad distribution
of Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta
elegans) in China and recent genetic work
has shown the erosion of genetic diversity in
Chinese Softshell Turtles (Pelodiscus sinen-
sis) due to farming of conspecifics. A future
challenge for conservation, and the Chinese
food market, will be to promote and sell
purebred, pricier lineages of P. sinensis and
related species. If this is successful, it will
contribute significantly to the conservation
of these species and their genetic diversity.
In addition to field and lab research, our
efforts include the conservation breeding of
several native species. Big-Headed Turtles
(Platysternon megacephalum) and Beal’s
Eyed Turtles (Sacalia bealei) have been
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
48
The Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources research station. This facility is currently
breeding Big Headed Turtles and Beal’s Eyed Turtles for future release back into the surrounding
mountains. PHOTO CREDIT: DANIEL GAILLARD
Hatchling captive-bred Beal’s Eyed Turtle (left) and Black-breasted Leaf Turtle (right) produced at the
Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources research station and Hainan Normal University,
respectively. PHOTO CREDIT: DR. SHIPING GONG AND DR. LIU LIN
successfully bred at a research station of the
Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological
Resources. In 2018, the first successful hatch-
ling occurred from an assurance colony of
Hainan-locality Black-breasted Leaf Turtles
(Geoemyda spengleri) at Hainan Normal
University, utilizing expertise from the Saint
Louis Zoo. In addition to G. spengleri, Hain-
an-locality Four-eyed Turtles (S. quadriocel-
lata) have successfully bred at the university
for several years and efforts are currently
underway to breed Hainan-locality Indochi-
nese Box Turtles (Cuora galbinifrons) and
Keeled Box Turtles (Cuora mouhotii).
Recently, we began evaluating the phylo-
geographic and phylogenetic structure of
nine native species and one non-native spe-
cies, the Southeast Asian Box Turtle (Cuora
amboinensis). Information from these stud-
ies will be useful for pinpointing the geo-
graphic origins of farm and trade animals,
managing captive populations in both China
and abroad, and potentially identifying
pure genetic stock for future conservation
breeding facilities. Comprehensive ecologi-
cal studies on G. spengleri are under way at
multiple field sites in China. This work will
provide new information on the preferred
microhabitats, microclimate, and movement
patterns of this species. In a nature reserve
on Hainan Island, P. megacephalum is cur-
rently being studied using radio telemetry
and observance of preferred microhabitat
use. This project will also include long term
monitoring to estimate the population size.
In the future, we hope to continue to expand
our work to additional threatened or less
studied turtles throughout China, including
more focus on species in the central and
western regions, areas that have been his-
torically underrepresented in field research.
Acknowledgements: We thank the
Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conserva-
tion Fund, The Turtle Conservation Fund,
National Natural Science Foundation
of China for their support, and Jichao
Wang, Yan Ge, Dainan Cao, Torsten
Blanck, Melita Vamberger, Markus Auer,
Peter Praschag, Uwe Fritz, Huai-Qing
Chen, Yichao Zeng, and Shu-Jin Luo for
their contributions to these projects and
review.
Contact: Daniel Gaillard, Liu Lin, Xiao
Fanrong, and Haitao Shi, College of Life
Sciences, Hainan Normal University,
Haikou, China, 571158 [dgaillrd@gmail.
com; kylelinliu@163.com; xiao71815@163.
com; haitao-shi@263.net]; Jeffrey
Dawson, Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium,
Saint Louis Zoo, MO, USA, 63110 [jdaw-
son@stlzoo.org]; Shiping Gong, Guang-
dong Institute of Applied Biological
Resources, Guangzhou 510260, China,
[gsp621@163.com]
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 49
170 Hicatee turtles hatched in 2018. PHOTO CREDIT: HEATHER BARRETT
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
Heather Barrett and Jacob Marlin
BELIZE
Central American River Turtle Conservation Programs
Gaining Momentum in Belize
The critically endangered Central Ameri-
can River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii), aka
Hicatee, is literally being eaten to extinction
across its limited range. The lone surviv-
ing representative of the family Dermate-
mydidae, the Hicatee represents a unique
evolutionary lineage dating back to the age
of the dinosaurs.
Classified as Critically Endangered (facing
an extremely high risk of extinction) by the
International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN), Dermatemydidae is consid-
ered the most endangered turtle family in the
world. The newest edition of the international
report, “Turtles in Trouble: The World’s Most
Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
– 2018,” features the Hicatee as one of the
Top 25 most endangered turtle species facing
extinction. For this reason, the Hicatee Con-
servation and Research Center (HCRC) was
created at the Belize Foundation for Research
and Environmental Education (BFREE) Field
Station in Belize. The HCRC currently oper-
ates with approval and support of the Belize
Fisheries Department, with the express pur-
pose of investigating the reproductive biology
of D. mawii, and the goal of building large as-
surance colonies to aid in reintroductions and
ultimately save the species from extinction.
BREEDING SUCCESS
This year has been the most productive year
to date for the HCRC, with 179 hatchlings
produced from 17 clutches totaling 192 eggs.
Eggs were laid into the edges of ponds at the
captive breeding facility from November 2017
through February 2018 and were artificially
incubated in ambient temperatures at the
BFREE Field Station lab. The first hatchling
emerged on 4 June 2018, soon followed by
nine more. In following weeks, the remaining
eggs hatched, bringing the total population of
turtles at the HCRC to nearly 300.
Reproductive success has been high at the
HCRC. Since 2015, a total of 282 eggs have
hatched, demonstrating a greater than 85%
hatch rate. That success has not been without
its challenges. Progress slowed substantially
last autumn, when over 35% of the 2017
hatchlings suffered a quick and alarming
die-off. Wart-like skin lesions were identified
in turtles that suddenly lost weight, became
lethargic, and one-by-one began to die.
Low temperatures and water quality were
investigated as possible contributing factors.
Deceased turtles were transferred to the
Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic (BWRC)
for necropsy. Liver failure was identified in
the necropsies. However, histology is needed
to better determine the cause of death. Addi-
tional samples are being held by Dr. Paquet-
Durand at the BWRC while awaiting CITES
permitting for import to the U.S. Turtles on
the brink of death were also transferred to the
BWRC for life-saving care in January 2018.
Since that time, the turtles at the HCRC and
the BWRC have improved greatly and are
monitored closely for evidence of continued
health issues.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FOR STAFF
Staff at the HCRC participated in several
professional development opportunities this
year. Elliott Jacobson, DVM, PhD, DACZM,
Professor Emeritus of Zoological Medicine at
University of Florida, visited BFREE and the
HCRC to provide advice on animal husband-
ry, assess the status of turtles recovering from
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
50
previous illness, meet with a local wildlife
veterinarian on the project, and offer training
to HCRC staff. During his week-long visit, he
participated in the autumn health assessment,
gave a series of lectures on animal husbandry
and zoological medicine, took blood and
tissue samples, and performed a necropsy on a
recently deceased turtle. Dr. Jacobson’s many
decades of experience in reptile medicine is
invaluable as the project continues to expand
with a growing numbers of turtles on site and
the likelihood of release in the near future.
Keepers Thomas Pop and Jaren Serano each
spent one week at the BWRC training under
the guidance of Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr.
Isabelle Paquet-Durand. The BWRC has been
caring for 16 Hicatee turtles that showed rapid
health decline at the HCRC in December
and January. Dr. Isabelle is the chief wildlife
veterinarian on the project and continues to
advise and provide first responder care to any
turtles that require clinical diagnosis.
“LET’S MAKE THE HICATEE OUR
NATIONAL REPTILE!”
From the HCRC’s inception, BFREE and TSA
recognized the need for a strong and structured
awareness program. This awareness campaign
has a two-part goal: to ensure that turtles bred
in captivity can be safely released without fear
of immediate hunting, and to help alleviate
pressures on wild populations.
Using the message, “Let’s make the Hicatee
our National Reptile,” materials and events
were created for the second annual Hicatee
Awareness Month in Belize. The goal of
these efforts is to raise the turtle’s public
status and set the stage for national pride of
this rare and unique species.
During October, over 100 packets filled with
educational materials were distributed to
pre-schools and primary schools in the Cayo
and Belize Districts. These districts were
targeted specifically because they contain
valuable Hicatee habitat that continues to see
unsustainable harvest. Packet materials in-
cluded: Adventures of Herbert the Hickatee,
a children’s book created by Gianni Marti-
nez, a primary school teacher in Belize City,
Hope for Belize’s Hicatee: Central American
River Turtle, a documentary produced by
filmmakers Richard and Carol Foster, and
the Hicatee excerpt from Turtles in Trouble:
The World’s 25+ Most Endangered Tortoises
and Freshwater Turtles - 2018 report. Young
Hicatee Ambassadors were selected to hand
deliver packet materials to their classrooms.
Adorned in a Hicatee t-shirt, these young
conservationists read the poem “I am a Hica-
tee Hero,” and handed out Hicatee stickers to
their classmates after delivering the complete
educational packet to their teacher.
Prior to Hicatee Awareness Month, BFREE
and the TSA Board of Directors embarked on
a letter campaign to introduce the Belizean
Government to the concept of the Hicatee as
the National Reptile. The campaign was met
with immediate interest and support from
government officials. We are hopeful that
the animal will be adopted as the National
Reptile of Belize in the very near future.
FUTURE ACTIVITIES
Plans are underway to build out a third pond
for rearing hatchlings at the HCRC. In the
coming years, plans include the possible
establishment of a Hicatee Reserve, officially
adopting the Hicatee as the National Reptile,
developing a fully integrated recovery and
management plan for the species, strengthen-
ing the outreach and awareness campaign, and
beginning to release turtles back into the wild.
Acknowledgements: Funding sup-
port for the Hicatee Conservation and
Research Center and our associated pro-
grams was generously provided by the
Turtle Survival Alliance and Jacksonville
Zoo and Gardens.
Contact: Heather Barrett and Jacob
Marlin, BFREE, 4320 W. University Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32607 [hbarrett@bfreebz.
org; jmarlin@bfreebz.org]
Jaren Serano of the Cayo District,
joined the BFREE staff as our first
Science and Education Fellow in
January 2018. Jaren is a passionate
advocate for the conservation of
Belize’s natural resources including
the Hicatee. After visiting BFREE
during a field course with Sacred
Heart Junior College, he applied for
a two-week internship in the sum-
mer of 2017. Because of his obvious
commitment to BFREE’s mission,
Jaren was invited back to take part in the autumn Hicatee health as-
sessments, and began full-time work with BFREE as part of a two-year
fellowship program. Upon completion of the program, Jaren intends to
continue his education in Conservation Biology and, ultimately return
to his home country to pursue a career in conservation. As part of the
HCRC team, Jaren provides important technical skills including writ-
ing monthly reports and data entry. Jaren primarily cares for the 2018
hatchlings and supports all work taking place at the HCRC.
MEET THE STAFF
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 51
The conservation community and wildlife
film industry recently lost a true pioneer and
trailblazer, Richard Foster. The Belize Foun-
dation for Research and Environmental Edu-
cation (BFREE), TSA, and so many of us in
the conservation community are shocked and
deeply saddened by his passing. We wish to
express our heartfelt condolences to his wife
Carol, brother Simon, and daughter Olivia.
His untimely death is a tragedy beyond mea-
sure; not only to his family and friends, but
to the entire country of Belize. The loss of
Richard has sent a shockwave throughout the
conservation and wildlife filming industries,
and is a tremendous setback in the ongoing
effort to conserve the Central American River
Turtle (Dermatemys mawii) aka Hicatee.
Richard’s lifetime was spent capturing the
natural world through video and sharing it for
the world to see. As true pioneers, Richard
and his lovely wife Carol were among the
first filmmakers to document the beauty and
diversity of Belize’s wildlife. Richard and
Carol were an inseparable and powerful
team, working together all over the world for
decades, filming and producing some of the
richest wildlife documentaries ever made.
The pair made dozens of documentaries for
National Geographic and BBC, winning an
Emmy Award, and making films such as
Realm of the Serpents, Path of the Rain Gods,
Journey Through the Underworld, The Land
of the Anaconda, and many others. They
also made numerous short films for local and
international NGO’s, including in 2017 when
they completed Hope for Belize’s Hicatee, the
Central American River Turtle, which was de-
buted at the 2017 TSA/IUCN-TFTSG Annual
Symposium in Charleston, South Carolina.
Richard and Carol were first introduced to
Rick Hudson and TSA in 2009. BFREE
A Tribute to Richard Foster
A Champion of the TSA/BFREE Turtle Conservation Program in Belize
Jacob Marlin
Executive Director Jacob Marlin and Hudson
were traveling around the country, exploring
possibilities and meeting stakeholders to get
involved in developing a strategy and program
to conserve the Hicatee. Richard and Carol
were both very interested and wanted to help
in any way they could. Richard suggested
that they could assist with surveys, meet local
hunters, work on a documentary, or other
projects that they saw as helpful. Richard was
enthusiastic and wanted to actively support the
project, and shared his strong conviction that
if something wasn’t done immediately for the
species, it would likely be lost forever.
Over the course of the next nine years, Richard
was instrumental in getting the program off the
ground. Starting in 2010, the Fosters’ home and
guest house was base camp for the countrywide
survey, conducted by Dr. Thomas Rainwater
and team, that launched the conservation pro-
gram. In 2013, after the Hicatee Conservation
and Research Center (HCRC) was completed,
the Fosters’ home once again became central
command for the collection of the found-
ing turtle population for the center. Richard
personally cared for all the turtles that were
brought in, filling his canoes daily with fresh
water to house the turtles in ad-hoc enclosures.
Richard provided boats and equipment which
helped make this critical stage of the program
a success. In following years, Richard’s home
served as an off-site BFREE lab for incubating
eggs collected from the HCRC, and investigat-
ing embryonic diapause and Temperature Sex
Determination. Until recently, BFREE lacked
the power to provide electrical current for the
incubator, so Richard cared for and maintained
the incubator for two consecutive seasons.
During production of Hope for Belize’s Hicatee
in 2016, Richard was at his best. His passion for
filming and set design was unmatched and his
unique style and art form were without com-
parison. He designed and created an elaborate
and naturalistic set for the film and captured
Hicatee behavior that would otherwise never be
seen by the public. In the wildlife film industry
Richard Foster was a legend. His energy was
endless, his enthusiasm contagious, and his
creativity inspirational. Richard Foster: wildlife
documentary film maker, Emmy Award winner,
conservationist, and Hicatee hero. You are
forever loved and missed.
Richard Foster with a Tapir in Belize. PHOTO CREDIT: CAROL FARNETI FOSTER
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
52
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
COLOMBIA
Advances in the Protection of Colombia’s
Most Imperiled Species
MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF
A POTENTIAL PROTECTED AREA FOR
DAHL’S TOAD-HEADED TURTLE
Between the months of October and No-
vember 2017, the mark-recapture study of
Dahl’s Toad-headed Turtle (Mesoclemmys
dahli) continued in the Bajo Limon, Cor-
doba, Colombia. The study was conducted
over a period of 10 days. The team, formed
of Oscar Negrette (a member of Econbiba
cooperative) and 2 local workers, Jair
Bonilla and Nilson Caraballo, performed
Germán Forero-Medina and Igor Valencia
this activity with the technical and financial
support of TSA/WCS. This is the third year
of monitoring this population, one of the
few known for the species.
The range of M. dahli lies completely
within the tropical dry forest, one of the
most heavily impacted and least protected
ecosystems in Colombia. At all sites where
populations have been detected, its habitat
has been degraded and experiences regular
human-induced fires, which cause mortal-
ity in adults and nests. Additionally, recent
research has shown that the species is
experiencing high levels of inbreeding, po-
tentially caused by the fragmentation of its
original habitat. Persistence of the species
in the long-term may require management
(genetic rescue) to avoid deleterious effects
of inbreeding. This management can only be
done in a reserve, where the population is
guaranteed to persist.
This year, TSA partnered with Rainforest
Trust to explore the potential creation of
a protected area for M. dahli. The goal of
Mark-recapture activity of Dahl’sToad-Headed Turtle in Bajo Limon, Cordoba, 2017. PHOTO CREDIT: IGOR VALENCIA
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 53
this land acquisition initiative is to create
the first protected area for this threatened
species in a strategic site known for its
local abundance and genetic diversity. This
land acquisition will also provide an area to
implement restoration efforts of the turtle’s
habitat in order to protect and manage the
population for its long term persistence.
The area selected for the establishment of
the protected area was carefully identified
over the last 3 years. The location holds a
relative abundance of the species, has some
of the highest genetic diversity, and allows
promising management of the reserve by a
local community. Because the species is not
currently protected by any type of national,
regional, or private protected area, its
habitat is highly degraded, and it is experi-
encing high levels of inbreeding, it is urgent
to establish a site where a population of the
species can be protected, its habitat restored,
and the largest amount of genetic diversity
preserved. Hopefully next year will see the
creation of this preserve, crucial for the
conservation of the species.
COMMUNITY WORK FOR THE CONSER-
VATION OF RIVER TURTLES: GIANT
SOUTH AMERICAN RIVER TURTLE AND
MAGDALENA RIVER TURTLE
The joint Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)
and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
program continues to work in the location of
La Virgen, in the Department of Arauca for
the conservation of the Giant South Ameri-
can River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa).
This year, nesting activities commenced
in the final weeks of January and ended in
March. A total of 379 nesting females and
their nests were protected by the community
during the laying, incubation, and hatching
periods. This initiative is part of “Proyecto
Vida Silvestre,” a wildlife project focused
on Colombia’s native fauna. Together with
the community of La Virgen, they have
protected species in this region since 2015.
This year, the project was renewed for an-
other three years, guaranteeing both the con-
solidation of the community work and the
protection of P. expansa during that period.
In celebratory news, Segré Foundation has
Table 1. Number of individuals of M. dahli found in the 2017
mark-recapture activity
 
Year of first capture
Number of individuals
Recaptures
2014
2
2015
7
Captures
2017
15
Touristic cabin of the cooperative Econbiba in Cotocá Arriba, Cordoba, Colombia, after restoration. PHOTO CREDIT: LUIS CARLOS NEGRETTE
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
54
joined as a supporter of the conservation
efforts for P. expansa in La Virgen. The
objective of their support is to continue
female and nest protection, and to develop a
strong environmental education program in
local schools with the aim of integrating the
turtle and its riverine environment into the
elementary level curriculum. Additionally,
this funding will focus on supporting the
necessary science for, and implementation
of, pilot projects designed for sustainable
use of turtle eggs by the community. It is
the goal that finding a sustainable compro-
mise will stimulate protection for the turtles
long-term.
The participatory work of the Cotocá Arriba
community for the conservation of the Mag-
dalena River Turtle (Podocnemis lewyana)
in the Sinú River continued for another year
in 2018. This work has allowed the growth
of a committed and empowered community.
Over the last decade, the project has relied on
external grants to fund conservation activi-
ties focused on reducing consumption of the
turtle and counteracting the negative impacts
of a hydroelectric dam on the river. To
guarantee the project’s persistence over time
however, the community is implementing an
ecotourism initiative aimed at improving the
community’s standard of living and generat-
ing revenue to cover some of the costs of the
conservation actions. Luis Carlos Negrette,
community leader, was hired to implement
the business plan he developed as a Conser-
vation Leadership Program award grantee
and prepare the community for ecotourism
activities. First steps included a series of
infrastructure adjustments and equipment ac-
quisition such as the purchase of a fiberglass
canoe with a 10-person capacity. Counter-
part to these infrastructure improvements, a
series of workshops were carried out by Luis
Carlos with members of Econbiba, for the
purpose of strengthening their leadership and
decision-making skills. Further work will be
focused on the creation of visual material to
promote the project and attract new visitors,
including the creation of the official web
site—currently under construction. The next
year will see the launch and implementation
of the tourism activities to evaluate their
long-term potential.
FIRST PROTECTED AREA TO PRESERVE
POPULATIONS OF DUNN’S MUD TURTLE
Dunn’s Mud Turtle (Kinosternon dunni) is
one of four endemic species to Colombia.
First described in 1947 from two specimens
originating from the locality of Pizarro, it
exclusively inhabits localities within the San
Juan, Baudó, and Atrato river basins of the
Pacific/Chocó natural region, in the state of
Chocó. With very few populations having
been reported since its original description,
it is one of the least known turtle species
in the country and considered Vulnerable
to extinction due to its restricted range and
impacts from mining activities.
While Pizarro (Bajo Baudó) is the type lo-
cality for the species, its presence at the site
had not been confirmed since its description
over 70 years ago, until now. Recently, a
Fig. 1. The newly created protected area Encanto de los Manglares del Bajo Baudó (green polygon),
contains populations of the endemic Dunn’s Mud Turtle. Dots represent known localities, black dots in
the Pacific drainage, red dots in the Caribbean drainage.
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 55
functional population was identified inside
the newly created “Distrito Regional de
Manejo Integrado Encanto de los Mangales
del Baujo Baudó,” a protected area along
Colombia’s Pacific coast (Fig. 1). This is
the first and only protected area known to
contain populations of this endemic and
threatened species. Confirmation of its pres-
ence in the coastal wetlands of the protected
area is of great importance, as it opens the
possibility for research and conservation
actions for the species within the framework
of the area’s management plan.
This regional protected area was established
by the regional environmental authority
Corporación Autónoma Regional Para El
Desarrollo Sostenible Del Chocó (CO-
DECHOCÓ), on 6 September 2017. The
process had the participation and support of
local communities (10 Afro Colombian col-
lectives), government institutions (Mayor of
Bajo Baudó, Alexander von Humboldt Bio-
logical Resources Research Institute), and
varied NGOs such as Naturaleza Colombia
Internacional, World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife
Conservation Society, Turtle Survival Alli-
ance, Fundación MarViva, and Corparién.
Currently, these organizations are support-
ing the design process of the management
plan, focused on sustainable use of natural
resources and conservation of key areas,
including habitat of the recently discovered
populations of K. dunni.
Acknowledgements: Tim Gregory,
Disney Conservation Fund, Fundación
Mario Santodomingo, Ecopetrol, Fonda-
tion Segré, Wildlife Conservation Society,
Fundación Omacha, People’s Trust for
Endangered Species.
Contact: Germán Forero-Medina and
Igor Valencia, Turtle Survival Alliance,
Wildlife Conservation Society, Cali,
Colombia [gforero@wcs.org; ivalencia@
wcs.org]
Dunn’s Mud Turtle from Pizarro (Bajo Baudó), captured during recent surveys. PHOTO CREDIT: GERMAN FORERO-MEDINA
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
56
RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
CAMBODIA
Conservation of the Southern River Terrapin
in Cambodia
MONITORING RELEASE OF
HEADSTARTED HATCHLINGS
Last November, Wildlife Conservation
Society (WCS) Cambodia and the Royal
Government of Cambodia’s Fisheries
Administration (FiA) released 25 subadult
Southern River Terrapins (Batagur affinis)
into their natural habitat of the Sre Ambel
River system in southwestern Cambodia.
This cohort was composed of 13 female and
12 male specimens, ranging in age from
seven to eleven years. Each individual was
microchipped for future identification and
outfitted with acoustic transmitters prior
to their release. In an effort to reduce their
stress, allow them to adapt to their new
environment, forage for natural food, and
exercise swimming muscles in a riverine
environment, they were first released into an
acclimation pen comprised of a 1.5-hectare
oxbow lake adjacent to one of the rivers in
the system. The release was inaugurated by
His Excellency Srun Limsong (FiA Del-
egate), representatives from WCS, Turtle
Survival Alliance (TSA), Wildlife Reserves
Singapore, trustees, donors, and many other
partners. The team tracked them twice every
month (two, five-day monitoring sessions)
using a MANTRAK USR-14 receiver. The
project also used three passive receivers
(SUR-3) placed at three different locations
to detect any terrapins that passed by.
As of August 2018, all released B. affinis
have been detected in the river system,
aside from one that was captured by fisher-
men. This specimen was retrieved from the
fishermen and is now being kept back at
the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center
Sitha Som
(KKRCC), from which it originated. The 24
other turtles have spread out into differ-
ent rivers within the system. Remarkably,
one male has traveled across the mangrove
coastal area and into another river system
more than 90 km away from the release site.
NEST-PROTECTION PROGRAM
Only one nest of B. affinis was located and
protected during the 2018 nesting season
along the Sre Ambel River. The nest was
discovered at the same nesting sandbar
utilized by the wild females last season.
This single clutch consisted of 16 eggs, of
which 10 hatched successfully. The hatch-
lings are now being kept at the KKRCC for
headstarting.
KOH KONG REPTILE CONSERVATION
CENTER UPDATE
The KKRCC now houses 204 adult, sub-
adult, and hatchling B. affinis. This includes
69 subadults who were occupying the two
existing breeding ponds. This year, to accom-
modate the growing colony of B. affinis and
further expand the facility, upgrades have
been partially completed including hous-
ing for local staff, an office, a secure shaded
structure for hatchlings, four large ponds, a
water retention pond, a sewage pond, and
two quarantine ponds. Of the four large
ponds being installed, one has been com-
pleted and is now housing the subadults. It
is equipped with a solar panel-run biofilter,
floating platforms, shade structures, and a
A male Southern River Terrapin scowls at its handler before being released into the Sre Ambel River.
PHOTO CREDIT: NHEK SREYLEAK/THMEY THMEY
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 57
mesh perimeter fence. Two other large ponds
will be completed in January 2019; they have
been dug and lined, but need water filters and
perimeter fences. A significant impediment
that the center has faced is not having enough
water supply during the dry season. This has
led to several turtle health issues such as skin
disorders and other illnesses. The turtles’
protein levels are very low and the program
is looking into various options to remedy this
deficiency.
SAND MINING THREAT
Large-scale sand mining has been banned in
the country, effective July 2017. However,
small-scale sand mining continued from
March to June 2018 in the Sre Ambel River.
This mining activity has led to the destruc-
tion of two nesting sandbars along the only
river where the turtles still nest. Fortunately,
the mining was halted through the action
of numerous meetings and consultation be-
tween the FiA, WCS, local authorities, sand
mining company, and foremost, the Ministry
of Mines and Energy (MME).
CREATION OF SOUTHERN RIVER
TERRAPIN AND SIAMESE CROCODILE
CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT ZONE
FiA, with technical support from WCS, is
currently working on a Ministerial Procla-
mation (Prakas) to include the Sre Ambel
River system into a Management Zone that
will confer protection of the waterway, its
vegetated riparian zone, and sandbars. The
Prakas will be named The Establishment of
Southern River Terrapin and Siamese Croco-
dile Conservation and Management Zone.
The Prakas has also included the boundary of
the river system into the management zone as
well as the restricted conservation zones for
B. affinis. The Prakas is being reviewed and it
is hoped to be applied by the end of 2018.
ASIAN GIANT SOFTSHELL TURTLE
CONSERVATION
WCS and FiA are working to conserve the
Asian Giant Softshell Turtle (Pelochelys
cantorii) in a 48 kilometer segment of the
Mekong River from Kratie to Stung Treng
Province through the implementation of a
nest protection program. In 2018, the program
protected 24 nests consisting of 825 eggs. This
resulted in the hatching of 565 softshells—a
67.43% hatching success rate. All hatchlings
were released directly back into the river
during a release event organized in June 2018.
The release received participation from FiA
delegates, WCS Director and project staff, the
District Governor, local authorities, commu-
nity members, students, monks, and received
widespread media coverage.
Acknowledgements We would like to
thank the previous and current donors
for supporting this project: Critical
Ecosystem Partnership Fund, National
Geographic Society, Chicago Zoologi-
cal Society, U.S. Forest Service, and the
Turtle Conservation Fund. We give
special thanks to our partners at Wildlife
Reserves Singapore, Turtle Survival Alli-
ance, as well as private donors.
Contact: Sitha Som, Wildlife Conserva-
tion Society Cambodia, #21, Street 21,
Tonle Basac, Chamkarmorn, Phnom
Penh, Cambodia, [ssom@wcs.org]
Releasing Southern River Terrapins into the soft release pen. PHOTO CREDIT: WCS
2018 hatchling Southern River Terrapin. PHOTO CREDIT: SITHA SOM/WCS
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
58
FEATURE
Just three hours earlier, neither of us had ever
seen a wild Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlen-
bergii), the smallest and one of the most
imperiled turtle species in the United States
(U.S.). On this morning, we found eight of
these little jewels which are threatened by
habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive non-
native plant species, and poaching for the pet
trade. We joined New Jersey Division of Fish
and Wildlife staff and volunteers to survey
parcels of private land in the northern section
of the state as part of The Big Turtle Year
(TBTY), a conservation education initia-
tive of the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust
The Big Turtle Year: Celebrating Wild Turtles
Across the United States
George L. Heinrich and Timothy J. Walsh
(FTCT). This non-profit NGO began in 1999
and works to conserve Florida’s rich turtle
diversity through research and education.
Throughout 2017, we were joined by other
biologists and conservationists at dozens
of sites within the U.S. in an effort to see
as many species as possible during a single
year, while examining threats and conserva-
tion actions that may be needed.
Turtles are among the most endangered
wildlife on Earth (59% of all species are
threatened with extinction). While species
from areas such as Asia, South America,
and Madagascar often receive the majority
of conservation attention, the plight of U.S.
species goes quietly unnoticed. The goal of
FTCT’s first conservation education project
outside of the state of Florida was to increase
awareness regarding the status of these often
overlooked, ecologically significant reptiles,
and emphasize the rich diversity, ecology,
and conservation needs of species found
in the most turtle-rich country in the world
(now 62 species and 89 terminal taxa).
We like seeing wild turtles in wild places, and
TBTY provided an opportunity to explore
An adult male Gopher Tortoise at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. Petersburg, Florida. The burrow system of this imperiled, keystone species provides refugia
for over 365 other species within their six-state range in the southeastern United States. PHOTO CREDIT: GEORGE L. HEINRICH
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 59
a wide variety of contrasting habitats in 13
states, including montane, forest, prairie,
desert, lake, river, swamp, and marine ecosys-
tems. We used the most recent Turtle Tax-
onomy Working Group checklist (2014) that
was available on the first day of TBTY and
began our search for 59 species. Our year-long
quest started at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve,
St. Petersburg, Florida. This location was
selected for symbolic reasons as the preserve
is close to George’s heart and where he has
studied the herpetofauna for over 25 years.
There, we observed nine Gopher Tortoises
(Gopherus polyphemus), including a hatchling
at its burrow. Although no longer eaten (legal
harvest ended in 1988), habitat loss and frag-
mentation, as well as road mortality, continue
as major threats to this keystone species of the
Southeastern Coastal Plain.
George, the constant in the project, com-
pleted 12 multi-day field trips (logging 78
nights away from home), as well as numer-
ous daylong excursions. Tim joined three
field trips, as well as coordinated multiple
technical and logistical aspects of the proj-
ect. Along the way were dozens of opportu-
nities to see wild turtles, both common and
rare, in their associated habitats. Highlights
included four of the six North American
tortoises (which took us to two deserts), 14
species of map (Graptemys) turtles (ob-
served across five states), Flattened Musk
Turtles (Sternotherus depressus), which are
geographically restricted to one river system
in north-central Alabama, and five marine
species, including 9 Loggerhead Sea Turtles
(Caretta caretta), 4 Green Sea Turtles (Che-
lonia mydas), and 2 Leatherback Sea Turtles
(Dermochelys coriacea) during a single eve-
ning on a dark beach on Florida’s east coast.
A diverse range of threats (many working in
synergy) are of concern to conservationists.
Habitat loss and degradation tops the list, but
water levels and quality, limited geographic
range, and poaching are also major concerns.
Long periods of drought can severely impact
species such as the Northern Western Pond
Turtle (Actinemys marmorata), Southern
Western Pond Turtle (Actinemys pallida),
and Sonoyta Mud Turtle (Kinosternon
sonoriense longifemorale). Turtles often
become concentrated in very small pools
making them vulnerable to predators and
desiccation. Species with limited geographic
ranges within the U.S., such as the Sonoyta
Mud Turtle (occurs in a single half-acre pond
in southern Arizona) require cooperative,
international conservation efforts. Demand
for the international pet trade drives poaching
of federal- and state-listed species. Despite
the urgency of the situation, opportunities for
conservation are abundant and the charis-
matic attraction of turtles makes them an
excellent group for education and outreach
efforts to enhance ecological, conservation,
and environmental awareness.
The year-long project ended in Florida as it
began, but with a sighting of a single Florida
Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia chry-
sea) at Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve
(Collier County). We had searched in four
states for this common, yet secretive species,
and finally got #57 for TBTY with just three
days to spare. In the end, only two species
were not found: Apalachicola Alligator Snap-
ping Turtle (Macrochelys apalachicolae) and
Yellow Mud Turtle (Kinosternon flavescens).
We tried for them in Georgia and Texas
respectively, but it was not to be.
We are most grateful to all of our project
partners, everyone who joined us in the
field, and to dozens of generous donors who
made this project possible. Like many FTCT
projects, this one was fully funded by such
individuals. What a great time we had travers-
ing the U.S., and both learning about and
educating others on the plight of U.S. species.
Although the fieldwork phase of this project
is now complete, we still have much work
to do, including a nationwide lecture series,
magazine articles, and a book. Please visit the
project website (www.thebigturtleyear.org)
and FTCT’s Facebook page for updates. We
like turtles and know that you do too.
Contact: George L. Heinrich, Heinrich
Ecological Services, 1213 Alhambra Way
S., St. Petersburg, Florida 33705-4620,
USA [george@heinrichecologicalser-
vices.com]; Timothy J. Walsh, Bruce
Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich,
Connecticut 06830-7157, USA [twalsh@
brucemuseum.org]
Old friends, George L. Heinrich and Timothy J. Walsh, with an adult Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) in
New Jersey. As directors of the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust (www.ftct.org), they conduct diverse
research, conservation, and education projects. PHOTO CREDIT: TIMOTHY J. WALSH
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
60
TSA’s presence in Europe has long-strug-
gled to develop a unified identity. This has
been rendered acute since the passing of
prominent TSA Europe committee members
Henk Zwartepoorte (Chair) and Hans-Dieter
Philippen (Vice Chair) two years ago. As
we work to develop this identity, issues that
continue to beset TSA Europe include a
wide nexus of partnerships spanning multi-
ple countries, varying levels of professional
stature and interest, and lack of mainstream
recognition. Our goal is to create a stronger
and more unified TSA presence in Europe.
TSA Europe currently has just over 70
registered members representing numerous
nationalities and over 24 languages. With
over 24 languages and countless dialects,
boundaries in communication arise when it
comes to sharing knowledge and building
alliances. To overcome this obstacle, TSA
Europe has been building regional represen-
tation with native speakers in Dutch, English,
French, German, Italian, and Spanish. These
individuals help translate TSA informa-
tion, promote the annual magazine at local
events, and identify collaborators. This year,
to increase engagement of our members and
foster European collaborations, TSA Europe
has promoted bond-strengthening events and
zoo visits. These include visits to zoos known
for their work with chelonians including Dur-
rell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Jersey
Zoo, Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen,
and other zoos in Bristol, Chester, London,
Linton, Rotterdam, and Paignton.
TSA Europe also wants to be a key player in
seizures and confiscations. This can be accom-
plished through an advisory role for temporary
husbandry and through correct animal place-
ment. To achieve this, we are proposing three
primary engagement tactics: 1. Appealing to
the chelonian community to support a more
collaborative alliance, 2. Encouraging programs
and research by offering small seed grants
and translation support, and 3. Developing the
untapped potential of sponsorship in Europe.
TSA EUROPE
PARTNER NEWS
TSA Europe’s Role in Supporting Chelonian Conservation
Eleanor T. Chubb
Common Tortoise observed in natural habitat; an area TSA Europe aims to expand conservation efforts with. PHOTO CREDIT: ELEANOR CHUBB
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 61
To accomplish this, TSA Europe must first
streamline the organization including its
Board of Directors. Although new board
members have been found and advisory rela-
tionships have been established, TSA Europe
still seeks to build further partnerships. After
regrouping with the TSA Board of Directors
in August 2018, we are working to modern-
ize our approach, including an improved
website and increased social media, that
seeks to better link the global TSA network.
2018 AUTUMN CONFERENCE
Current TSA Europe reorganization includes
promoting TSA Europe’s autumn conference
at Colchester Zoo, UK. The weekend will
offer networking opportunities for those inter-
ested in, and working with, chelonians. Seven
speakers will be presenting on conservation,
veterinary, and research topics. An important
part of the weekend will include delegate team
building workshop opportunities. Speakers
will include Prof. Dr. Hermann Schleich,
who will be sharing his chelonian work with
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARCO)
in both Spain and Nepal. We also welcome
a presentation from German native field
researcher Wolfgang Wegehaupt, with whom
TSA Europe is collaborating to translate some
of his 30 years of research with the Common
Tortoise (Testudo gracea) and the Hermann’s
Tortoise (Testudo hermanni). Paignton Zoo
will present its collaborative work with UK
researcher and zoologist Frances Baines in
developmental work on UV and heat for cap-
tive chelonia. This is an important topic given
the drastic climate differences between captive
and native habitats in Europe. Highlighting
this, recent egg-laying success with Paignton’s
group of Aldabra Tortoises (Aldabrachelys
gigantea) makes it potentially one of first Eu-
ropean zoos to successfully hatch this species.
COLLABORATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT
BREEDINGS
Increasingly important to TSA Europe is the
captive propagation of threatened species.
Successfully bred species include Spotted
Pond Turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii), Red-
necked Pond Turtle (Mauremys nigricans),
and the Southern Vietnam Box Turtle
(Cuora picturata). 2018 has also seen Bur-
mese Star Tortoise (Geochelone platynota)
successfully bred at the Cologne Zoo, Ger-
many. The first captive reproduction of the
Burmese Star Tortoise in a European zoo
occurred eight years ago, both at Rotterdam
Zoo in the Netherlands and Zoopark Zájezd
in the Czech Republic. Thus, the recent
hatching event at Cologne Zoo’s Terrarium
is the third documented successful repro-
duction for this species in a European zoo.
It is another significant contribution to the
development of an assurance colony among
European zoos.
Furthermore, a possible collaboration with
the association ‘Protection et Récupération
des Tortues’ at Chavornay, Switzerland,
is being explored. This association was
founded by Jean-Marc Ducotterd and has
been active for over 20 years. Its primary
mission is to act as a repository for unwant-
ed captive turtles to avoid their potential
release into the wild. Today, 2,300 turtles
and tortoises inhabit the expanding facility
that, when completed, will provide capacity
for 4,000-5,000 specimens. Entitled “Centre
Emys”, the facility includes outdoor habi-
tats, a temperate greenhouse, and a tropical
building. It is perhaps the largest turtle col-
lection in Europe. A team of 20 volunteers
perform husbandry and welcome visitors.
This is important, since the center seeks to
raise public awareness about captive turtles.
Additionally, Protection et Récupération des
Tortues launched the Emys Project in 1999
to reintroduce and protect the European
Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) in Swit-
zerland. An emblematic species of Swiss
marshlands, E. orbicularis was formerly
extirpated in Switzerland. Thanks to this
project, 80 European Pond Turtles have
been reintroduced into three natural reserves
since 2010, with the first successful wild
reproduction occurring in 2017.
Contact: Eleanor T. Chubb, TSA Europe,
P.O. Box 249, Bracon Ash, Norfolk, NR14
8WY, United Kingdom [eleanor@turtle-
survival.eu]
Outdoor facilities of “Protection et Récupération des Tortues” in Chavornay, Switzerland.
PHOTO CREDIT: JEAN-MARC DUCOTTERD
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
62
BEHLER AWARD
Russell A. Mittermeier, 2018 Behler
Turtle Conservation Award Honoree
Anders G.J. Rhodin
This year, the 13th Annual Behler Turtle Con-
servation Award celebrates and honors Russell
A. Mittermeier for his half-century of dedica-
tion to science and conservation of turtles and
primates, as well as being a world-leading
global conservationist of the highest caliber.
The Behler Award is effectively the “Nobel
Prize for Turtle Conservation and Biology”.
Russ has been a hard-core herpetologist since
childhood, with a particular interest in turtles,
snakes, and crocodilians. He spent his early years
in the Bronx and Brooklyn, New York, where
he was fortunate to have a mother that took him
to the Bronx Zoo and the American Museum of
Natural History on a weekly basis. At age 9, he
moved to North Babylon, Long Island, NY where
he became an avid collector of turtles, snakes,
frogs, and salamanders, and a member of both the
New York Herpetological Society and the Long
Island Herpetological Society. A strong motivator
for his life’s direction into the field of conservation
came early on, as he witnessed the rapid transfor-
mation of the forests in his Long Island neighbor-
hood into housing developments—eliminating the
habitats for his favorite species.
Russ and I first met 50 years ago, in 1968,
while attending Dartmouth College. As an
undergraduate, he spent his sophomore year
in Europe where he had his first serious
interactions with professional herpetologists
in Mainz and Frankfurt, Germany. Among
them were Robert Mertens, Klaus Klem-
mer, Erhard Thomas, and especially Walter
Sachsse. These interactions further strength-
ened his interest in turtles and herpetology.
During this same period, he also began a
strong focus in primatology through visiting
zoos in 18 different countries, building on an
incipient interest stimulated by his childhood
fascination with Tarzan books and movies.
As he pursued a focused study in primatol-
ogy, we dreamt of going to Madagascar
together to study lemurs. Following gradua-
tion, however, we instead carried out a joint
exploration of Panama, Colombia, and the
Brazilian Amazon that intensified his com-
mitment to both turtles and primates.
Our paths continued to move in tandem when
Russ entered graduate school at Harvard
University in 1971 as a student of Biologi-
cal Anthropology under primatologist Irven
DeVore. Despite his focus in primatology,
Russ’ strong herpetological roots once again
came to the fore, and he worked a great deal
with Harvard herpetologist Ernest E. Wil-
liams. From 1971 to 1978, Williams gave
Russ office space in the Museum of Com-
parative Zoology (MCZ), where I also hap-
pened to work as a Research Associate. Russ
continues his relationship with the MCZ in
the present day as a Research Fellow.
Not satisfied with just staying in an office during
his time as a graduate student, Russ carried
out field work in Panama, Tanzania, Peru,
Colombia, Brazil, and Suriname. The work
performed in Brazil was particularly interesting
in that it included a long Amazonian expedition
in 1973, following in the footsteps of the great
19th century explorers Henry Walter Bates and
Alfred Russel Wallace. This expedition included
intensive research on both primates (especially
the then virtually unknown uakaris and sakis)
and herps. It led to a number of publications on
Amazonian turtles, the most notable of which
was the redescription of the Red-headed Amazon
Sideneck Turtle (Podocnemis erythrocephala).
From 1975–1977, Russ did his doctoral disserta-
tion work on the monkeys of Suriname, but also
carried out studies on the two forest tortoises
there. In 1976, Russ and I published our first
description together of a new turtle, Parker’s
Snake-necked Turtle (Chelodina parkeri) from
New Guinea, and our careers began to take off.
Upon earning his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1977,
Russ moved forward to the Department of
Anatomical Sciences at the State University
of New York at Stony Brook in early 1978.
While there, he completed the first ever
Global Strategy for Primate Conservation with
several colleagues. This document caught the
attention of the World Wildlife Fund–US, as
well as the attention of renowned Amazon
specialist, Thomas E. Lovejoy—the resultant
of which was the creation of a Primate Pro-
gram and a Primate Action Fund. The latter
exists to present day, but now with Global
Wildlife Conservation (GWC).
Russ Mittermeier enjoys a moment in time with a Madagascar Big-headed Turtle in the Analabe region
of northwest Madagascar in 1985. PHOTO CREDIT: RUSS MITTERMEIER
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 63
In 1989, after 11 years of concentrated focus
on primates, turtles, Brazil, the Guianas, and
Madagascar, Russ left WWF-US for Conserva-
tion International (CI). There, he embraced his
title as President, a position that he occupied for
25 years, before transitioning to Executive Vice-
Chair in 2014. At CI, he was the key figure in
adapting Norman Myers’ Biodiversity Hotspots
concept into a core strategy for the organiza-
tion for the next two decades, producing hugely
successful fundraising results. From Myers’
original 10 Hotspots, and then later 18, Russ and
colleagues carried out research that eventually
increased the number to 36. Russ also created the
concepts of Megadiversity Countries and High
Biodiversity Wilderness Areas as additional
strategies for priority-setting, as well as worked
with several colleagues to adapt these and the
Hotspots concept for turtle priority-setting. Russ
was also instrumental in the creation of funding
mechanisms focused on Hotspots and Wilder-
ness Areas, with these resulting in the creation of
new protected areas around the tropical world.
In the Guiana Shield region of South America
alone, these top 8 million hectares.
Further portraying his commitment to global
conservation, Russ has had a long history
with the International Union for the Con-
servation of Nature (IUCN). He has served
as Chair of the IUCN/SSC Primate Special-
ist Group since 1977, and in 1979 began a
process with Ed Moll and Peter Pritchard
that resulted in the creation of the IUCN
Freshwater Chelonian Specialist Group in
1981. He served as that new group’s first
Vice Chair under Moll and has been on the
Executive Committee of the combined IUCN
Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist
Group (TFTSG) ever since. During his time
at CI, Russ was instrumental in getting that
organization’s Center for Applied Biodiver-
sity Science to support a number of IUCN
Specialist Groups, including both the Marine
Turtle Specialist Group led by Rod Mast and
the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Group
led by John Behler and myself. Other IUCN
positions he has held include the Steering
Committee of the SSC since 1982, the IUCN
Council from 2004 to 2012, and he was an
IUCN Vice-President from 2008–2012.
In addition to these positions with the
IUCN and its affiliates, Russ is also a long-
time board member of the Turtle Survival
Alliance, Turtle Conservancy, the Turtle
Conservation Fund, and Chelonian Research
Foundation. In 2001 he was in Fort Worth,
Texas when the Turtle Survival Alliance
was created as an IUCN Task Force of the
TFTSG. Furthermore, he was instrumental in
the creation of both the Turtle Conservation
Fund and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species
Conservation Fund, that help to support turtle
conservation work. Russ’s most recent move
brought him to Global Wildlife Conserva-
tion (GWC) as that organization’s Chief
Conservation Officer in December 2017.
His work at GWC, as it has for the past 50
years, focuses heavily on tropical forests and
primates, with a strong side interest in turtles.
Russ has been involved in the creation of
many different funding mechanisms for bio-
diversity conservation and is a regular par-
ticipant in conferences that involve subjects
as diverse as climate change, biodiversity,
protected areas, indigenous peoples, and of
course, primates and turtles. Based on a bird-
watching model that he learned from his son,
John, Russ has even created the concept of
Primate-Watching and Primate Life-Listing
to stimulate global interest in these animals,
and is trying to do the same for Turtle-Watch-
ing. He is happiest, though, when out explor-
ing another rain forest or searching for a rare
primate, turtle, some other flagship species
on his bucket list, or adding yet another
country to his Travelology List (currently at
169 countries). He has almost certainly been
to more rain forests than anyone else, and
has definitely seen the most wild primate
species (~360 taxa). His turtle list, now over
90 species, is a work in progress. Along
with increasing his physical experiences and
sightings, Russ has placed great importance
on publishing, and has already published 40
books and over 750 popular and scientific
articles. Russ is especially proud of his work
in discovering and describing species new to
science. He has been involved in the descrip-
tion of 21 new species (three turtles and 18
primates), has had eight named after him
(two lemurs, one saki monkey, three frogs,
a lizard, and an ant – but no turtles yet), and
has collected several named by others.
His work has been recognized by many differ-
ent organizations, universities, and countries.
He is a member of the American Academy
of Arts and Sciences and has two honorary
doctorates, one from Stony Brook and one
from Eckerd College. He was named a “Hero
for the Planet” by Time magazine in 1998
(an honor shared by previous Behler Award
winner Peter Pritchard), and has received
nearly two dozen awards, including the Gold
Medal of the San Diego Zoological Society
(1987), the Order of the Golden Ark from
Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (1995),
the National Order of the Southern Cross from
the President of Brazil (1997), the Grand Sash
and Order of the Yellow Star (1998) from
the President of Suriname, the Sir Peter Scott
Award for Conservation Merit from the SSC
(2006), and the Harvard University Gradu-
ate School of Arts and Sciences Centennial
Medal (2017). In September 2018 he received
the very prestigious and high-profile India-
napolis Prize, effectively the “Nobel Prize for
Conservation”, for his accomplishments and
leadership in global conservation efforts.
Aside from all his contributions to conserva-
tion, Russ considers his greatest accomplish-
ment the fact that his children are all com-
mitted to biodiversity conservation, including
his sons John, a world-class bird expert, and
Mick, mainly focused on plant conservation,
and his daughter Juliana, who is considering
becoming a primatologist. Russ has been
a most valued and trusted friend, mentor,
facilitator, and partnership builder, as well an
inspirational rock star in the global conserva-
tion universe for many in the turtle conserva-
tion and research communities.
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
64
INDIANPOLIS PRIZE
TSA Board Member Russ Mittermeier
Awarded the Indianapolis Prize
Anders G.J. Rhodin
The Indianapolis Prize, the world’s most
prestigious award for species conservation,
and considered the “Nobel Prize for Conser-
vation,” was awarded to our TSA Board of
Directors member Russ Mittermeier at the In-
dianapolis Prize Gala in September 2018. The
Prize is awarded biennially by the Indianapolis
Zoo and the winner is presented with the pres-
tigious Lilly Medal and $250,000, the largest
award given exclusively for conservation of
endangered or threatened wildlife. Russ was
selected as winner of the Indianapolis Prize
from a pool of six finalists: Joel Berger, Dee
Boersma, Sylvia Earle, Rodney Jackson, and
Carl Safina. Also nominated for the Prize this
year was our TSA President, Rick Hudson,
who would have been a deserving finalist.
Russ, considered to be the world’s preemi-
nent primate conservationist, has also been
instrumental in conservation initiatives fo-
cused on tortoises and freshwater turtles. He
is best known for his leadership in promot-
ing the concept of biodiversity hotspots—
Russ Mittermeier and Harrison Ford were recognized for their contributions to conservation at the Indianapolis Prize Gala. PHOTO CREDIT: A.J. MAST
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 65
critical conservation areas of high diversity,
high endemism, and high threat levels. He
has been responsible for the preservation of
hundreds of species and millions of acres
of critical habitat around the world. Most of
this was accomplished during his 25 years
as President of Conservation International
and his 11 years at WWF-US prior to that.
He now acts as Chief Conservation Officer
for Global Wildlife Conservation.
Harrison Ford, who was also recognized for
his bold, heroic devotion to conservation
issues was among the honorees that night.
After receiving his award, he made a heartfelt
introduction of Russ to the audience:
“Protecting nature is first and foremost a moral
imperative, yet...saving nature is really about
saving ourselves. When I was asked to intro-
duce Russ, I had just one question: What the
hell for? If you work in conservation...you know
Russ, because Russ has had the sort of career
that everyone else just dreams about. He is,
quite simply, a hero for nature. I’ve known Russ
for a long time now, through our work together
at Conservation International and beyond. Russ
is someone who cares deeply, passionately, and
intelligently for protecting nature. His heart and
his mind have done more good for this planet
than just about anyone. So all I really have to
say is this: thank you, Russ, for your lifetime of
service to nature. And congratulations on an
award well earned.”
Russ then made an impassioned and warmly
received award acceptance speech, thank-
ing and honoring his family, friends, and
colleagues for all the support, professional
collaboration, and shared initiatives. He
summarized his considerable accomplish-
ments this way:
“Perhaps my greatest contribution has
been an unwavering commitment to species
conservation, using primates and turtles
as models, and not losing focus of the fact
that without species conservation all other
efforts are doomed to failure. Species are
the basic building blocks of ecosystems, and
ecosystems and the multitude of services
that they provide are essential to our own
survival as well as that of the rest of the
natural world. And, it’s just not acceptable
to sit idly by and let species go extinct,
which is why I, and a growing number of my
colleagues, have become strong advocates
for the concept of zero extinctions.”
In closing, he said:
“Last but not least, I want to emphasize the
need for optimism. I am an optimist by nature,
always have been, and I simply don’t let myself
get depressed or pessimistic. We will always
have challenges, setbacks and obstacles, and we
need to recognize that there are no final victories
in conservation. Even when we think we have
achieved great success, a political change or a
natural disaster can bring us back to square one.
It doesn’t matter. We just need to move forward,
see our failures as learning experiences, main-
tain a positive can-do attitude, and engage at all
levels of society to achieve ever greater support
for conservation, and, if we can do that, I am
convinced that we can succeed.”
Among the 1,200 guests at the gala were
Jim Breheny of WCS and TSA, myself, and
TSA partners Eric Goode of Turtle Conser-
vancy and Don Church and Wes Sechrest
of Global Wildlife Conservation, as well as
Russ’s whole family and countless friends
and colleagues. Being personally called
out and acknowledged in such a prominent
venue felt very special for all of us. We all
honored him and his considerable contribu-
tions to protected areas and primate and
turtle conservation, and celebrated his pas-
sionate devotion to preserving our planet’s
biodiversity. With Russ and other key
leaders on our TSA Board, and through the
efforts of our dedicated executives and staff,
and also working together with other turtle
conservation organizations, I am hopeful
we will indeed succeed in our mission of
achieving zero turtle extinctions. Thank you
Russ and Harrison for inspiring all of us.
Contact: Anders G.J. Rhodin, Chelonian
Research Foundation, 168 Goodrich St.,
Lunenburg, MA 01462 USA [rhodincrf@
aol.com]
Mittermeier gives his acceptance speech to a crowd of 1,200 attendees. PHOTO CREDIT: A.J. MAST
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
66
ARUNIMA SINGH
Hometown: Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh, India
Occupation: Field researcher,
TSA-India
Can you tell our readers about
the research you are performing
in India?
My interest is in the nesting ecology of the
Crowned River Turtle (Hardella thurjii) in
the Ghaghara-Sarju River system, a com-
ponent of the Gangetic River Basin, located
in the Terai Arc Landscape. Crowned River
Turtle is a really interesting species because
currently no one understands the intricacies
of their nesting behavior since, unlike other
turtles, they don’t bury their nests on sand-
banks, but rather are underwater nesters. My
current PhD research focuses on elucidating
facts about the population dynamics and re-
productive aspects of this enigmatic species.
What is your most memorable
experience with turtles in the
field?
I was having terrible luck during a survey
of the Gomti River in Lucknow in 2017.
Braving 40°C (104°F) temperatures for two
months, I’d only recorded two species so
far. One day, while fishermen were haul-
ing in their nets, I suddenly saw a large
blackish-grey object followed by a flash
of yellow; a female H. thurjii! I remem-
ber crying out loud and freaking out my
boatman while we sailed towards them. I
couldn’t believe that this species could still
be found in such a polluted river! To add to
my joy, in the very same net I also spotted a
Peacock Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia hurum),
previously believed to have been extirpated
in this river. The memory of rediscovering
the existence of this species in the Gomti
River after so many years will always hold a
special place in my heart.
You were recently awarded the
John Thorbjarnarson Fellowship
for Reptile Research from the
Wildlife Conservation Society.
How will you use this award for
your research and conservation
efforts?
I’m really grateful for this grant because
it’s going to allow me to gather some really
vital information about H. thurjii’s nesting
ecology. This grant will help me to continue
ongoing activities such as gathering popula-
tion data and various reproductive aspects,
as well as enabling me to perform radio
telemetry utilizing selected females so as to
better understand their nesting behavior. I
hope to use this grant as a crucial stepping
stone in developing standardized conserva-
tion protocols applicable across all species
of Indian freshwater turtle.
NATALIA GALLEGO
Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia
Occupation: Ph.D. student,
Universidad de los Andes
How did you first come to be
involved with the TSA?
I had the opportunity to spend several days
on a boat on the Negro River with TSA Presi-
dent Rick Hudson. We took the boat to attend
the South American IUCN Red Listing and
Action Planning workshop, at the Reserva
Biológica do Rio Trombetas, Pará, Brazil. I
had days (or weeks?) to talk to Rick about
a community-based conservation program
that I started for the Magdalena River Turtle
(Podocnemis lewyana) in the Sinú River, Co-
lombia. We were trapped on that boat. Rick
had no way out other than to agree to provide
technical and financial support for the Sinú
River program! That was the beginning of a
long and lasting friendship and partnership.
Can you tell our readers about
the research you are performing
in Colombia?
I use genetic techniques to solve conservation
problems. I am currently studying how forest
loss has impacted the Dahl’s Toad-headed
Turtle (Mesoclemmys dahli) population. We
have found the metapopulation to be frag-
mented into several small subpopulations.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
We Are the TSA
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 67
Individuals within the populations are adapt-
ing to deforested and artificial habitats, but are
having trouble moving across the landscape.
Thus, they cannot reproduce with individuals
from other subpopulations, leading to homoge-
neity through inbreeding. We are designing a
genetic rescue program that consists of moving
individuals across the subpopulations to assist
with gene dispersal, with the goal of restoring
genetic diversity and inbreeding reduction.
What challenges have you faced
working in conservation and how
did you overcome them?
Conservation is a long-term process that re-
quires the involvement of local communities
and other stakeholders, as well as financial
sustainability. These two key elements
are very difficult to achieve, especially in
developing countries. We have worked to
overcome this challenge by operating for
over 10 years in the field, empowering
locals by providing them with the necessary
conservation skills to protect their natural
resources, and to simultaneously find an
alternative livelihood in conservation.
PAUL CALLE
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Occupation: Chief Veterinarian,
Wildlife Conservation Society /
Bronx Zoo.
Can you tell our readers about
your work with the Wildlife
Conservation Society and where
your passion has taken you
across the globe?
I have worked at WCS since 1989 and
serve as the WCS Vice President for Health
Programs, Chief Veterinarian, and Director
of the Zoological Health Program based at
the Bronx Zoo. My responsibilities include
managing the Clinical, Pathology, and
Aquatic Health Departments for WCS’s
Bronx, Central Park, Queens, and Prospect
Park Zoos and the New York Aquarium,
and shared oversight of the WCS Wildlife
Health Program that focuses on health
contributions to conservation through our
field conservation projects. By far the best
part of my job has been to work in the field
with the same or related species that I have
cared for in our zoos and aquarium, and
turtle species have featured prominently in
my travels. These have included support of
Asian turtle conservation projects in China,
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar; sea
turtles in Belize; tortoises in Russia; and
local Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina), Dia-
mondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin),
and Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii)
projects in New York and New Jersey.
Tell us about your most memora-
ble experience providing veteri-
nary care for chelonians?
Hands down my most memorable chelonian
experiences have been with our work for
the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (Rafetus
swinhoei) in China in conjunction with the
TSA’s Gerald Kuchling, the Changsha and
Suzhou Zoos, the China Zoo Association,
San Diego Zoo Global, the Leibniz Institute
for Zoo and Wildlife Research, and WCS
China. My participation began in 2008
when I was the lead veterinarian during
the transport of the last remaining female
from the Changsha Zoo to the Suzhou Zoo,
and has continued through four artificial
insemination attempts between 2015 and
2017. The most stressful professional expe-
rience I have ever had was the first time I
sedated the male for electroejaculation and
the female for artificial insemination. This
meant anesthetizing half of the then known
world’s population of the species, both of
which were probably over 100 years old,
and a species that probably had never been
anesthetized before. Although we have not
yet succeeded in producing any fertile eggs,
we have not given up hope for the spe-
cies! We continue to plan for improved and
enhanced techniques for the next artificial
insemination attempt.
You and WCS have become stal-
wart supporters of TSA’s efforts
to rescue confiscated chelonians
and have stepped up in major
ways to respond. Tell us about
why you feel that it’s important
to contribute to these efforts?
Enactment of wildlife laws and regula-
tions is a critical part of the conservation
of threatened and endangered species, and
enforcement of these laws results in live
animal confiscations. If we do not support
the care of these confiscated individuals,
we undermine the ability of governments
to enforce their wildlife protection laws.
There are also significant welfare and
humane considerations in most confisca-
tions because the animals have seldom been
held in adequate conditions before confisca-
tion. Just because stoic, resilient turtles can
survive those terrible conditions better than
other species might, they nonetheless suffer
and die. When confiscations are on the mas-
sive scale that we witnessed in the last few
years for the Palawan Forest Turtle (Sieben-
rockiella leytensis) in the Philippines and
Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) in
Madagascar, it’s all hands on deck to care
for them. Although I did not directly assist
with either of these confiscations, WCS and
I fully supported our staff to play significant
roles contributing to the care of these confis-
cated turtles. WCS and TSA have been great
partners for turtle conservation, and I am
proud to have played a small role in that
partnership.
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
68
Making Connections
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the metric for one’s first encounter with a turtle or tortoise must be priceless. For many of us, our
first experience with a turtle occurred during our cognitive preoperational stage, where memory and imagination are initially developed. For
others, years later. Despite one’s age, the fascination with these timeless creatures remains both inherent and apparent. As we say at the Turtle
Survival Alliance, “Everyone has a turtle story.” At the TSA, we understand the fundamental value of that first encounter and aim to ignite a
passion in others by creating that experience. We see it as an opportunity to not only share “our turtle story,” but provide the potential to be
someone’s “first turtle story.” Through outreach events, fundraisers, group presentations, and school field trips, our staff and associates across
the globe provide direct interaction with turtles and tortoises; bridging the gap through knowledge-sharing with those in our communities.
From young children to adults, we strive to fulfill our duties as conservation warriors by recognizing the inquisitiveness and potential in every-
one around us, and creating catalytic moments for those eager to learn. It takes a community to make chelonian conservation work!
OUTREACH
To schedule a tour of the Turtle Survival Center, please contact Cris Hagen, Director of Animal Management, at chagen@turtlesurvival.org.
To schedule an outreach event please contact Jordan Gray, Communications and Outreach Coordinator, at jgray@turtlesurvival.org.
Jordan Gray
Villagers in Bagmara in northeastern Bangladesh show intrigue as they are
taught about radio telemetry of the Elongated Tortoise. PHOTO CREDIT: SCOTT
TRAGESER
A young guest of Reptiles Alive in Savannah, Georgia, has a face-to-face
encounter with a Diamondback Terrapin. PHOTO CREDIT: JORDAN GRAY
Young attendees of the 5th Annual Ladybug Release at Magnolia Plantation
and Gardens in Charleston, South Carolina get firsthand experience with
an Asian Black Giant Tortoise. PHOTO CREDIT: RICK HILLS
Students engage with an Indian Star Tortoise as part of a Kukrail Guided
Nature Tour in Lucknow, India. PHOTO CREDIT: ARUNIMA SINGH
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 69
BREWERY PARTNERSHIPS
Drink Beer. Save Turtles®.
Multitudes of turtle and beer enthusiasts from Pennsylvania to Texas and
Oklahoma to South Carolina raised their pint glasses this year as they took part
in Turtle Survival Alliance’s Drink Beer. Save Turtles® events. 2018 festivities were
slated to begin the first week of January with “CoaSHELLa,” a partnership with
Freehouse Brewery and the 701st Airlift Squadron “Turtles” out of Charleston Air
Force Base. Unfortunately, a nor’easter brought a “bomb cyclone” to the region,
blanketing normally balmy Charleston with snow and ice, effectively putting the
event into brumation until a later date.
The warm weather of late spring, however, brought these fundraising,
outreach, and awareness events into full activity. In Oklahoma, Stonecloud
Brewing Co. and Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens teamed up for
World Turtle Day® in what would be Oklahoma’s first Drink Beer. Save Turtles.®
event. Simultaneously, in Austin, Texas, our TSA-NAFTRG team, The County
Line BBQ, and Hops & Grain Brewing partied together for their third time at
“Turtlemania 3,” a World Turtle Day® event.
If there’s one thing turtle enthusiasts in western Pennsylvania can now count
on, it’s an autumn Drink Beer. Save Turtles.® gathering at Spoonwood Brewing Co. in Pittsburgh. This year’s “Turtle
Waste of Time,” was another huge success in continuing the collaboration with our partners at theTurtleRoom. The
2018 season fittingly concluded in late October, just minutes away from our Charleston headquarters, at Holy City
Brewing—despite Hurricane Florence’s attempt to wash it away. Only weeks after her turbulence postponed this
event, hundreds of participants ushered in cool autumn weather with “The Bitter Box Turtle,” an English style ESB.
Riding on the success of these events, the TSA and collaborators around the country are already planning events for
next year in seasoned locations and and new ones such as, Indiana, New Jersey, and Columbia, South Carolina. Want to
get involved? Start planning a Drink Beer. Save Turtles.® event with the TSA and your local brewery today!
Jordan Gray
A Texas Map Turtle courtesy of Lake Austin, and
a cold “River Beer” courtesy of Hops & Grain
Brewing. PHOTO CREDIT: BRETT BARTEK
Hops & Grain
Brewing:
“River Beer” 5.2%
Premium American
Lager with premium
German malt, hops,
and lager yeast.
Holy City
Brewing:
“The Bitter Box
Turtle” 5.8% ESB.
Malty ale with a
little bitterness.
Stonecloud
Brewing:
“Turtle Turtle-
head Stout” 11%
Coffee imperial
stout featuring
chocolate,
caramel, and
roasted pecans.
Freehouse Brewery:
Numerous craft brews
available on tap.
Spoonwood
Brewing:
“A Turtle Waste
of Time”4.4 %
German Black
Lager
Interested in hosting a “Drink Beer, Save Turtles” event at your favorite local bar, taproom, or brewery?
Please contact Jordan Gray, Communications and Outreach Coordinator, at jgray@turtlesurvival.org
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
70
Become A TSA Member
The TSA works with more than 100 (approximately one-third) of the tortoise and freshwater turtle
species around the globe.
The TSA directly impacts 20 of the World’s Top 25 Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles.
This e€ort is supported by a global network of conservationists, field biologists, animal care technicians,
veterinarians, governmental and non-governmental organizations, private stakeholders, citizen scientists,
and YOU, our loyal supporter.
As a TSA member, you will receive our annual publication, bi-weekly e-newsletter, discounted conference
registration, opportunities with the TSA’s North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group, and other
exclusive benefits throughout the year. TSA members also enjoy a 10% discount every day on most items
in the TSA’s online store. Most importantly, your support directly moves us closer to our goal of “zero
turtle extinctions!”
Joining has never been easier as we have five levels of membership (figures represent annual dues):
• Individual ($50)
• Student ($25)
• Senior ($25)
• North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group ($30)
• Organizational ($400)
*If you would like to make your membership “green” we also have membership levels that will not
receive a hard copy of the TSA’s annual publication by mail, but instead an electronic version!
Become a TSA member at www.turtlesurvival.org.
Once you’re a member, log into your membership account and select “Member Benefits” from the
dropdown menu to learn about additional o€ers and rewards throughout the year.
Thank you for your support!

Help Conserve Turtles and Tortoises for
Future Generations
For additional information on the "Zero Turtle Extinctions
Legacy Circle" or planned giving options, please contact Rick
Hudson, President, at rhudson@turtlesurvival.org
1. Our "Zero Turtle Extinctions Legacy Circle" is an honorary
association that recognizes individuals whose planned gift has
been received or been established to provide a future benefit
to the Turtle Survival Alliance.
Provide for the future needs of our mission by naming the
Turtle Survival Alliance as a beneficiary in your estate plans.
A gift to the "Zero Turtle Extinctions Legacy Circle" will insure
that the Turtle Survival Alliance continues its mission of zero
turtle extinctions for years to come. Thank you for taking the
time to explore the benefits of gift planning, including life
income gifts, gift annuities, mutual funds, real estate, life insur-
ance, and other plans.
2. Support the Turtle Survival Alliance by donating to the TSA
Stewardship Fund. Your gift will have a significant impact on
the future by helping to provide an ongoing income.
Ways to support The Turtle Survival Alliance
1. Make a Donation Your support moves us closer to a goal of zero turtle extinctions.
2. Join the TSA Become a member of the TSA or buy a gift membership for a friend.
3. Purchase Equipment Check out the TSA’s Wish List on Amazon.com to purchase equipment and supplies
that are needed by our staŠ at the Turtle Survival Center and in the field.
4. Shop at turtlesurvival.org Visit the TSA’s online store to purchase t-shirts, art, publications, and other
merchandise to support conservation projects around the world.
5. Volunteer Visit the TSA website for volunteer opportunities.
6. Support the TSA at No Extra Cost to You There are several programs available through which you can

support the TSA’s mission by doing what you do every day!

• Amazon.com – Access amazon.com via the TSA link (http://bit.ly/tsa_amazon) and a portion of your

purchase will be donated to turtle conservation.

• eBay – The TSA is part of the eBay Giving Works program. So, you can support our mission when you
buy and sell on eBay.

• Good Search – What if the TSA earned a donation every time you searched the Internet? Or how

about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? It can, with

Good Search. www.goodsearch.com/nonprofit/turtle-survival-alliance
There are many ways that YOU can contribute to turtle conservation and support the TSA’s mission of
zero turtle extinctions. Visit turtlesurvival.org.
www.turtlesurvival.org/get-involved
PHOTO CREDIT: TYLER SANVILLE
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
72
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 73
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
74
theTurtleRoom
theTurtleRoom: Achieving Success
Through Collaboration
Steve Enders and Anthony Pierlioni
Founded in June 2011, theTurtleRoom
has grown and evolved over the last seven
years into the formalized organization we
are today; now with a mission to advance
survival of the world’s turtles and tortoises
through collaborative education, conserva-
tion, and research programs. When we cre-
ated this mission statement, our goal was to
not only convey our purpose, but tell people
who we are as an organization.
Collaboration has been a significant piece
of theTurtleRoom’s identity since our
founding. Our origin story is rooted in an
alliance between several conservation-
minded private keepers coming together
under a collective identity to work together
towards common goals. Only through
continued collaboration has theTurtleRoom
been able to grow to its current state.
As we evolved, it was important that we
maintained collaboration as a central piece
of our brand and this identity is visible in
each branch of our work.
The most diverse group of programs at
theTurtleRoom are those we categorize as
educational, including outreach. We have
leveraged the internet to perform outreach
and education through social media, to
build a website containing articles and
educational materials about husbandry and
natural history, and to develop applications
like Digital Chelonian Log and the “Native
Species Maps” on theTurtleRoom.com.
However, in-person connections are still
imperative to outreach and education, so we
also make presentations in classrooms, at
zoos, and in other public venues.
TheTurtleRoom’s conservation and research
programs are divided into two areas. The
first is our ex situ work, focused on devel-
oping assurance colonies, many of which
are in partnership with the Turtle Survival
Alliance (TSA) and/or Association of Zoos
& Aquariums. In addition to maintaining
colonies of endangered and critically endan-
gered species, we also believe there is great
value to conservation and research by doing
the same for species currently considered
common. It is never too early to start con-
serving a species.
TheTurtleRoom also manages in situ pro-
grams. The first is in partnership with TSA’s
North American Freshwater Turtle Research
Group (TSA-NAFTRG), monitoring a
population of North American Wood Turtles
(Glyptemys insculpta) in Pennsylvania. We
are also collaborating with Turtle Conser-
vancy on conserving a local population
of Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys
terrapin terrapin) in New Jersey, whereby
nests subject to high levels of depreda-
tion are located, excavated, and incubated
artificially, with hatchlings returned to the
wild after a few weeks in captivity. During
both of these projects we collect data with
future research initiatives in mind. Addition-
ally, theTurtleRoom staff members assist
on data-collection and analysis with other
TSA-NAFTRG projects.
Moving forward, theTurtleRoom will con-
tinue to advance the cause of chelonians as
we build new education, conservation, and
research programs with our existing partners
and develop new partnerships.
Contact: Steve Enders and Anthony Pier-
lioni, theTurtleRoom, PO Box 521, Lititz,
PA, USA 17543 [steve@theturtleroom.
com; anthony@theturtleroom.com]
A handful of theTurtleRoom’s team and close friends including, from left to right, Cade Napolitano, Chris and
Casey Leone, Scott Hendrickson, Steve and Lisa Enders, Anthony Pierlioni, and Maurice and Noah Rodrigues,
get together for their annual gathering at the Leone’s in New Jersey. PHOTO CREDIT: LISA ENDERS
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 75
DONOR RECOGNITION
Thank you for
your support!
We wish to acknowledge the individuals and organizations who donated to support the
Turtle Survival Alliance between 1 November 2017 and 31 October 2018.
$100,000+
Anonymous
Fagus Foundation
Timothy Gregory/Gregory Family
Charitable Fund
Alan & Patricia Koval Foundation
Nature’s Own/Roy Young
$50,000-99,999
Fondation Segré
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
$25,000-49,999
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund
The Arthur L and Elaine V Johnson
Foundation
Oklahoma City Zoo and
Botanical Garden
San Diego Zoo Global
$10,000-24,999
Aktionsgemeinschaft Artenschutz
(AGA) e.V.
Deborah Behler
California Turtle and Tortoise Club
Dallas Zoo
The Delta Foundation
Dennler Family Fund of the Toledo
Community Foundation, Inc. /
Bill Dennler
Detroit Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo
Mohamed bin Zayed Species
Conservation Fund
Ocean Park Conservation Foundation
People’s Trust for Endangered Species
Riverbanks Zoo
Wildlife Conservation Society / Bronx Zoo
Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA)
Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

$5,000-9,999
Jay and Jane Allen
Association of Zoo Veterinary
Technicians
Auckland Zoo
Barbara Brewster Bonner
Charitable Fund
Brian Bolton
Margaret Cochrane
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Dennis Coules
Desert Tortoise Council
Douglas and Patricia McCurdy Foundation
Denver Zoo
The Frankel Family Foundation
Global Wildlife Conservation
Owen Griffiths / Francoise Leguat Ltd.
William Holmstrom
Houston Zoo
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Andrew M. Jacobson In Memory of
Ellen Wendy Weiss
Jill M. Jollay Charitable Foundation
Robert & Denise Krause
Little Rock Zoo
The Cynthia and George Mitchell
Foundation
Nashville Zoo
Ed Neil Charitable Fund
Ty Park
Phoenix Zoo / Arizona Center for
Nature Conservation
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
Rufford Small Grants Program
St. Louis Zoo
The Tides Foundation
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Turtle Conservancy
Turtle Conservation Fund
Virginia Zoo
Zoo Knoxville
$1,000-4,999
AAZK – Memphis Chapter
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
76
In a modern log cabin style studio nestled in the woods behind
his home outside of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, Matt Patter-
son brings the creatures of his native New England to life on
canvas. An acclaimed artist, Patterson’s vivid portraits regularly
feature his greatest love: reptiles and amphibians—in particular,
turtles and tortoises. As far back as Matt can remember, he has
always had a love for these beautiful and stoic animals. Through
Stoneridge Art Studios, his goal is to highlight and develop an
appreciation for reptiles and amphibians with his work. Inspired
and empowered by the phrase “education leads to conservation,”
Patterson is a member of the Artist's for Conservation, a
non-profit group that celebrates nature and is committed to
supporting wildlife and habitat conservation through art.
Patterson created a limited edition Burmese Star Tortoise
(Geochelone platynota) print for the Turtle Survival Alliance which
remains available at www.turtlesurvival.org for purchase. For the
past two years, Matt has also attended the TSA/IUCN-TFTSG’s
Annual Symposium, donating original paintings for its live auction
in order to help raise money for the organization's important work.
To shop more artwork created by Patterson at his Stoneridge Art
Studios, visit www.mpattersonart.com.
STONERIDGE ART STUDIOS
AAZK – Puget Sound Chapter
AAZK - Roger Williams Park Zoo
Beverly Allison
Anonymous
Audubon Nature Institute /
Audubon Zoo
Baton Rouge Zoo
Berkeley Electric Trust
Ellen and Guillermo Bernal
Family Foundation
Bonfire
James Breheny
Brevard Zoo
British Chelonia Group
California Academy of Sciences
Chelonian Research Foundation /
Anders Rhodin
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Dallas World Aquarium
Robin De Bled
Dickerson Park Zoo
Downtown Community
Television Center
El Paso Zoological Society
Susie Ellis
Christian Fischer
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Friends of Wekiva River, Inc.
Fundacja Zoo Wrocław DODO
Elizabeth Glassco
Global Wildlife Trust, Inc.
Greensboro Science Center
Jeffrey Harris
Shawn Ho
Honolulu Zoo
John Ball Zoo
John Iverson
Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden
Kansas City Zoo
Nancy Karraker
Lombardino Family Fund
Los Angeles Zoo
Lowry Park Zoo
Marin Community Foundation-Sundial
Fund
Brandon Martin
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
The Merck Foundation c/o
Cybergrants, Inc.
George Meyer
Mimosa Primary School
John D. Mitchell
Moody Gardens, Inc.
Tom Motlow
Museum of Life and Science
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Anthony Nelson
New Mexico BioPark Society
North Carolina Zoo
Ocean Park Conservation Fund
Ocean Wise Conservation Association
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo
Pro Wildlife
Sacramento Zoo
Saint Croix Biodiversity -
Parc animalier de Sainte-Croix
Stuart Salenger Foundation, Inc.
San Antonio Zoo
Walter Sedgwick
Sedgwick County Zoo
Seneca Park Zoo Society
Frank and Kate Slavens
Spoonwood Brewing LLC
StarBorn Reptiles
Brett & Nancy Stearns
Tennessee Aquarium
Tulsa Zoo
Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group
A PUBLICATION OF THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE • TURTLESURVIVAL.ORG 77
While space limits us from listing all of our donors, we are grateful for every gift that makes our work possible. We
gratefully acknowledge our donors for their support and generosity.
Every effort has been made to accurately recognize our donors. If any errors have occurred, please accept our sincere
apology and contact our office at (843) 724-9763 with any corrections.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine
Science Center
Bruce Weber
Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium
Woodland Park Zoo
Diane Yoshimi
Zoo Miami
In Kind
Mepkin Abbey
Jay Allen
Angkor Centre for Conservation of
Biodiversity
AppRiver
Association of Zoological
Veterinary Technicians
Nick Badham
Frank and Martia Bender
James (Beau) Bradley
Jan Cadlini
Cincinnati Zoo
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
County Line BBQ
Dallas World Aquarium
Dallas Zoo
Denver Zoo
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Doris Dimmitt
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
El Paso Zoo
Florida Aquarium
Fort Worth Zoo
Georgia Aquarium
Laurie Goldstein
Mark Grandall
Great Plains Zoo
Michael Greene
Christel Griffioen
John Griffioen
Andrew Haas
Anna Heckman
Holy City Brewing
Hops & Grain Brewing
Adelina Huamani
Indianapolis Zoo
Kings Landing
LimeHouse Produce
Brenda Linneer
Kyle Loftus
Louisiana State University
Carol McFall
Julie McKenzie
Willow Melamet
Mark Muhich
Laura Mustee
Ron and Iris Neal
New England Aquarium
Adriana Nielsen
North Carolina Zoo
Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Oregon Zoo
Wayne Osborne
Mike Penko
Todd Pickler
Ric Pusey
Bonnie Raphael
San Diego Zoo Global
Stephanie Shaw
Shedd Aquarium
Lisa Skibsted
Michael Skibsted
Shannon Simar
SOPTOM
Diana Soteropoulos
South Carolina Aquarium
Cindy Stadler
Stonecloud Brewing Co.
Stoneridge Art Studios/Matt Patterson
Tennessee Aquarium
Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group
Turtle Eye Productions/Mark Muhich
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Wekiva Island
White Oak’s Conservation Foundation
Bruce Wiessgold
Wildlife Conservation Society
John Wilen
WREN Consulting
WWF Madagascar
Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Knoxville
Zoo Med Laboratories
Members of “Team Radiata 7” representing Great Plains Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, and WCS/Bronx Zoo
at the newly enhanced Lavavolo Tortoise Center. PHOTO CREDIT: BRITTANY MURPHY
DECEMBER 2018 • TURTLE SURVIVAL
34
Southern Vietnam Box Turtle (Cuora picturata). The Turtle Survival Center
in Cross, South Carolina experienced a record-breaking year for the
reproduction of this critically endangered species. With continued illegal
commercial collection and populations dwindling rapidly from the wild in
their native Vietnam, the success of ex situ conservation breeding programs
and assurance colonies are likely to be necessary for its survival.
PHOTO CREDIT: CRIS HAGEN