TSA newsletter - Turtle Conservancy

China MarketTurtle market survey in China reveals disturbing number of Myanmar endemicsand critically endangered speciesGerald KuchlingBurmese turtles have been illegally but heavily traded into China since 1993, with thebulk of traded species including the Burmese endemics Lissemys scutata and Moreniaocellata. In the late 1990s and the early 21 st century some Burmese species which had not beenscientifically recorded since the early 20 th century (Heosemys depressa, Kachuga trivittata) were“rediscovered” at Chinese markets before wild populations could be located again in Burma,and a new species (Chitra vandijki) was scientifically described from turtles bought at Chinesemarkets prior to its discovery as a Burmese endemic.Three species endemic to Burma, K. trivittata, H. depressa, and Geochelone platynota, arelisted under the “world’s top 25 most endangered turtles.” The two species K. trivittata andG. platynota had once relatively large ranges in Burma, but most of their populations havebeen extirpated or nearly extirpated in the late 20 th century. H. depressa, however, has a veryrestricted range in the Arakan mountains, but until recently exploitation pressure on thisspecies appeared low. As would be expected from their rarity and endangerment, only smallnumbers of those three Burmese endemics on the “world’s top 25 most endangered turtles”list were generally offered for sale on Chinese markets.While on a TSA mission in China, I visited the Qing Ping turtle market in Guangzhou on 22and 23 May 2007. The bulk of the turtles offered for sale were North American, in descendingorder of quantity: Trachemys scripta elegans, Chelydra serpentina, Apalone ferox, Macrochelystemminckii, Apalone spinifera. Next in bulk came evidently captive bred Chinese turtles:Pelodiscus sinensis, Ocadia sinensis, Chinemys revesii, Mauremys mutica. I did not estimatenumbers for those species, but for evidently wild-caught SE Asian species, the next in bulk, Iestimated the following numbers for sale:Table 1: Estimated minimum numbers of turtles per species at Qing Ping market on 22-23May 2007, all stalls combined, and range of species in neighboring countries (+: present):Eighty Arakan Forest Turtles, endemic toMyanmar, were recently offered for salein the Qing Ping market in China. Thisis one of four species ranked CriticallyEndangered by the IUCN Red List thatwere observed.A rare Myanmar endemic, this femaleBurmese roofed turtle was also observed inthe Qing Ping market and is emblematicof the extent and growing volume of illegalturtles flowing into China from thatcountry.Gerald KuchlingGerald KuchlingSpecies Numbers at Qing Ping Burma Vietnam/LaosAmyda cartilaginea 2 + +Cuora amboinensis 50 + +Cuora galbinfrons bourreti 300 +Cuora g. galbinifrons 300 +Cyclemys sp. 120 + +Geoemyda spengleri 1 +Heosemys depressa 80 + (endemic)Heosemys grandis 3 + +Indotestudo elongate 200 + +Kachuga trivittata 1 + (endemic)Lissemys scutata 60 + (endemic)Manouria emys 100 + +Manouria impressa 90 + +Melanochelys t. edeniana 50 +Morenia ocellata 40 + (endemic)Platysternon megacephalum 70 + +Pyxidea mouhotii 600 + +Gerald KuchlingAlthough over the last 15 years most turtlepopulations in Burma have been heavilyexploited and dramatically reduced, thenumber of Burmese endemics on the marketsuggests that a large proportion of the SE-Asianturtles may have originated in Burma (thoughsome species were also well represented thatdo not occur in Burma, but in Vietnam andLaos). Particularly shocking was the numberof H. depressa relative to species like M. ocellataand L. scutata, which provided the bulk ofthe Burmese endemics in the illegal trade inthe past. The restricted range and the mostlylarge, adult specimens of H. depressa (Fig.1, 2) suggests that this species is presentlyspecifically targeted for exploitation andexport to Chinese turtle markets. This speciesmay soon be cleaned out of its restricted foresthabitat and move further towards the top ofthe “world’s top 25 most endangered turtles.”Another shocking discovery was an adultfemale Kachuga trivittata (Fig. 3). Althoughthe specimen had its right front limb missing(healed, old wound) and the 3 rd and 4 th digitswere ½ missing on the left front foot, it clearlyhad claws on digits 1, 2 and 5 (no claw on5 in Batagur baska). And the head and shellform was not that of an adult female Callagurborneoensis (apart from the total lack of otherMalay/Indonesian species on the market),which would be the two most similar speciesand sometimes difficult to distinguish fromK. trivittata. Given the extreme rarity of K.trivittata, even one adult female represents asignificant proportion of the world populationof the species.It is clear that this short survey onlyrepresents a snap shot of the turtle tradein China and may under-represent somespecies, in particular those of high tradevalue (e.g. G. platynota), which may nothave been openly displayed. What is onoffer on a particular day may also dependfrom which region transports recentlyarrived. For example, in April/May 2007several turtle shipments from Vietnamhave been confiscated. Apparent was thelack of turtles from the Indian subcontinentand from Malaysia/Indonesia. The goodrepresentation of wild-caught Burmeseturtles at the Qing Ping market suggest thatlaw enforcement and confiscation of illegalshipments is largely lacking along the traderoute from Myanmar into China.8 August 2007turtle survival allianceturtle survival alliance August 20079

Alligator Snapper ReleaseTSA supports the return of Alligator Snappers to OklahomaDay Ligonconditions, and to ensure that they did notcarry parasites or pathogens potentiallydetrimental to conspecifics or other aquaticbiota. Based on information available for thespecies, parasite loads and body conditioncompared favorably with those from wild M.temminckii populations.A group of radio-transmittered Alligator Snapping Turtles awaiting release at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge. Monitoring via radio telemetryand mark-release is planned to continue through at least 2010.Ongoing Alligator Snapping Turtle(Macrochelys temminckii) conservationefforts in Oklahoma got a boost in early 2007with the translocation of over 250 adult turtlesto the southern part of the state from theJoe Hogan State Fish Hatchery in Arkansas.The turtles had been moved to the hatcheryafter being confiscated following permitviolations by a nearby commercial turtlebreeder. A lot of manpower was necessaryfor assessing, processing and transporting theturtles, and was provided by volunteers fromthe Tulsa Zoo, Oklahoma State UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine and ZoologyDepartment, Tishomingo National FishHatchery and U.S. Fish and WildlifeEcological Services, Tishomingo NationalWildlife Refuge, University of CentralArkansas, West Texas A&M University,Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, andthe Joe Hogan Fish Hatchery.Health assessments were conducted on asubset of the turtles a month prior to movingthem to quantify their condition afterliving for years under extremely crowdedDay Ligon, Kay Backues, DVM andRebecca Bloch, DVM (left to right)examine an Alligator Snapping Turtle forectoparasites during health assessmentsdesigned to gauge the suitability ofa large group of snapping turtles fortranslocation.As an additional precaution, intensive postreleasemonitoring of the turtles was aprerequisite to moving the confiscated turtlesto Oklahoma, and much-needed funding forradio telemetry equipment was generouslyprovided by the TSA, DELTA Foundation,and Tulsa Zoo Conservation Program. Sixteenadult turtles were equipped with transmittersto track movement patterns and survival ratesover the next four years. Additionally, markrecapturemonitoring techniques were startedto keep track of the new population, as wellas to measure effects of the reintroduction onthe existing turtle community.Alligator Snapping Turtle conservationis not new to Oklahoma. Rusty Grimpe,former curator of reptiles and amphibiansat the Tulsa Zoo, published some of the firstdetailed descriptions of captive breeding M.temminckii in 1987. Comprehensive statewidepopulation surveys were conducteda decade later, and in 1999 a headstartprogram was initiated by TishomingoNational Fish Hatchery and SequoyahNational Wildlife Refuge in response tothe steep population declines that had beendocumented. Consistent production ofhatchlings at the hatchery began in 2002,and in the intervening years, care has beentaken to validate each step of the headstartprocess, from captive husbandry of adultsand juveniles to post-release survival. Inaddition, a thorough analysis of the geneticcomposition of M. temminckii populationsin the state was completed in 2006 byresearchers at Oklahoma State University,and detailed egg incubation protocols for thespecies were developed.Supplementing established head-start effortswith this large group of reproductivelymature M. temminckii is expected to benefitconservation efforts in southern parts ofOklahoma by advancing in situ reproductionby more than a decade, and by immediatelyestablishing normal population demographics.In coming years, reintroductions of headstartedjuveniles are expected to continue inriver systems throughout the eastern one-thirdof the state following intensive site-specificsampling to ensure that native populationsDaren Riedle and Aaron Goodwin drill smallholes in a unique combination of marginalscutes to facilitate individual identificationfollowing release of the turtle.Rusty Grimpe (Tulsa Zoo) prepares a snappingturtle for processing prior to transporting it andover 250 conspecifics to Oklahoma for release.are not impinged upon. Finally, discussionshave been initiated with neighboring states toexplore expanding the range of release sites toinclude other regions in the Mississippi Riverdrainage where Alligator Snapping Turtleshave declined.10 August 2007turtle survival allianceturtle survival alliance August 200711

International Center for Conservation of TurtlesUpdate on the International Center for the Conservation of Turtles in MünsterMartina RaffelThe International Center for theConservation of Turtles (ICCT) is abreeding facility for critically endangeredAsian turtles located at the Allwetter Zooin Münster, Germany. The ICCT has beensupported by the Turtle Conservation Fundand Conservation International amongstothers, and has already achieved some notablebreeding successes. After operations started inOctober 2003 with the completion of the firstbreeding room, the whole ‘BioCity’ complexat the entrance of the zoo was inaugurated inJuly 2005. Besides the turtle breeding centreconsisting of two rooms (one each for tropicaland subtropical species), this building alsofeatures an information and education centreon biodiversity – with the Asian Turtle Crisis asone of its major subjects. Viewing possibilitiesinto the breeding facility are supplementedby large signboards with information aboutthe species kept within the center (Table1), exhibition tanks with attractive species,hands-on elements for children and a touchscreen that presents playful short films on thein situ conservation projects of Münster Zooand its partners. The associated “ResearchWorkshop” with a laboratory, computer workstations and media equipment aims to inspirepupils towards science, engagement in natureconservation and sustainability.Table 1. Species currently cared for within the ICCT.Scientific nameChinemys megalocephalaChinemys nigricansCuora amboinensisCuora aurocapitataCuora mccordiCuora (galbinifrons) galbinifronsCuora (galbinifrons) bourretiCuora (galbinifrons) picturataCuora flavomarginata evelynaeCuora trifasciata (Southern Chinese form)Cuora trifasciata (‘meieri’, Northern Vietnamese form) *Cuora trifasciata (‘cyclornata’, Central Vietnamese form) *Cuora paniCuora zhouiChelodina mccordiHeosemys depressaLeucocephalon yuwonoiMauremys annamensisMelanochelys tricarinataNotochelys platynotaOcadia sinensisSacalia quadriocellataThe ICCT features an information and education centre onbiodiversity – with the Asian Turtle Crisis as one of its major subjects.Common nameChinese Broad-headed Pond TurtleRed-necked Pond TurtleSouth Asian Box TurtleYellow-headed Box TurtleMcCord’s Box TurtleVietnamese Box TurtleBourett’s Box TurtleSouthern Vietnam Box TurtleRyukyu Yellow-margined Box TurtleGolden Coin Box TurtlePan’s Box TurtleZhou’s Box TurtleRoti Island Snake-necked TurtleArakan Forest TurtleSulawesi Forest TurtleAnnam Leaf TurtleTricarinate Hill TurtleMalayan Flat-shelled TurtleChinese Stripe-necked TurtleFour-eyed Turtle* The validity of these newly classified forms is still being discussed.The first breeding success was celebratedin 2004 with the hatching of Roti IslandSnakenecks (Chelodina mccordi) in September,followed by one Golden-headed Box Turtle(Cuora aurocapitata) and three McCord’sBox Turtles (C. mccordi). In 2005, five C.mccordi, four Zhou’s Box Turtles (C. zhoui),two Golden Coin Box Turtles (C. trifasciata),two ‘Mauremys pritchardi’ (now considered ahybrid form and subsequently removed fromthe program), and one Vietnamese Box Turtle(C. galbinifrons) hatched. For the latter,Münster Zoo received the EAZA ShellshockCaptive Breeding Award as this was the firstsuccessful breeding of this Shellshock Red Alertspecies in a European zoo. 2006 was a verysuccessful year with a total of almost 80 turtleoffspring (Table 2), among them the first everEuropean breeding of the Sulawesi ForestTurtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi). Regrettably,this offspring only survived for three months.The parents, however, have already matedagain and we are hopeful that this species willreproduce successfully in 2007. This year,more than 100 fertile eggs of nine taxa havebeen laid so far with more expected soon.Besides establishing breeding and assurancecolonies in captivity, the ICCT also aimsto preserve turtles in their natural habitats.A first study in China was conducted inautumn 2006 in cooperation with theMuseum of Zoology Dresden by means ofthe EAZA Shellshock Campaign. Accordingto this survey, C. aurocapitata appears to havebeen collected heavily from the wild, possiblyto the point of near extinction. Though someintact habitat for C. aurocapitata remains,pressure from turtle collectors remains highand the future for this species in the wild isdismal.Table 2. Offspring produced in 2006.Top: In 2006, the ICCT recorded the first ever European breeding of the Sulawesi forest turtle.Bottom: The Münster Zoo received the EAZA Shellshock Captive Breeding Award for the firstEuropean successful zoo breeding of a Vietnamese Box Turtle, a Shellshock Red Alert species.Scientific name Number of hatchlings in 2006Chinemys megalocephala 5Chinemys nigricans 29Chelodina mccordi 5Cuora aurocapitata 7Cuora flavomarginata evelynae 2Cuora mccordi 3Cuora trifasciata 8Cuora zhoui 8Leucocephalon yuwonoi 1Mauremys annamensis 1012 August 2007turtle survival allianceturtle survival alliance August 200713

Range Country: CambodiaA Collaborative Effort to Save the River Terrapin in CambodiaHeng Sovannara and Joe WalstonThe Sre Ambel and Kaong Rivers in theremote coastal area of Cambodia, arehome to what is thought to be the region’ssole remaining population of River Terrapins(Batagur baska). Critically Endangeredthroughout their range, B. baska was thoughtto be extinct in Indochina up until thediscovery of this small population in 2000 bythe Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS)Cambodia program. Since the inception of thesubsequent conservation initiative the statusof the population has gradually stabilized andthe future of Cambodia’s royal turtle is lookingdecidedly less bleak.The Batagur baska project is a collaborativeeffort between WCS, the FisheriesAdministration (FiA), and the localcommunities surrounding the Sre Ambel andKaong Rivers. In 2007, as in previous years,the primary focus has been on the guarding ofnesting beaches and the adjoining sections ofriver throughout the nesting and incubationseasons. During the nesting season twoconservations teams were deployed, one,along each river, to identify B. baska nests andto construct temporary enclosures aroundeach one to ensure protection from predatorsand disturbance. This year three nestswere located, containing a total of 63 eggs.Although the number of nests was lower thanin some previous years, one of them was froma female that had last nested three years ago,indicating that there may be more breedingfemales than the nests suggest.Heng SovannaraAt the end of May, 47 hatchlings emerged,all of which were taken to the Terrapinholding center in Sre Ambel to facilitatefurther protection. This center was built in2006 with funding from the TSA and theEAZA Shellshock campaign, and represents asignificant achievement for the conservationprogram, as it allows for the release of terrapinsinto the wild to be controlled and monitored.The majority (approximately 70%) of thehatchlings will be integrated into the center’snascent captive breeding program while theSigns along the Sre Ambel River provide local awareness for the plight of Batagur and urgefishermen to release turtles trapped in nets.This new headstart facility was built in 2006 near Sre Ambel Cambodia with funding from theTSA and the EAZA Shellshock campaign.remainder will be released into their naturalhabitat in August. The objective of theseactivities is to find a balance between headstartingsome animals to reduce the likelihoodof mortality and the need to keep a regularnumber of animals entering the populationnaturally. This year’s hatchlings joined 47 oflast season’s yearlings and one juvenile whichwas rescued from a fisherman’s gillnet earlierin the year.This year has also seen the successful releaseof a proportion of last year’s hatchlings andthe event provided an ideal opportunity toraise awareness of the conservation project’sobjectives and achievements among the localcommunities. The release ceremony wasattended by villagers, school children, localand national officials from the FiA and theCountry Program Director of WCS. TheFiA and WCS have always placed a strongemphasis on the inclusion of local peoplewithin the project’s development and projectstaff have continued to devote considerabletime and resources to community outreach.This is aimed at mutual understandingbetween the needs of fishing communitiesand the need to protect B. baska. This year’sRick HudsonPhotos this page by Rick HudsonDr. Paul Calle (WCS) trains Sitha Som (CI Cambodia) and Heng Sovannara (WCS Cambodia) in PIT tag implant techniques.activities have also included the productionof conservation education media such assignboards, which were erected along therivers, school exercise books for local children,and a 30 minute Batagur baska conservationdocumentary which was shown on nationaltelevision. Meetings were also convened byproject staff to keep fishermen informed onproject activities, the importance of turtleprotection and on the new fisheries law.Community participation in the nestprotection activities and, most recently, thehanding-in of a juvenile animal accidentallycaught by a local fisherman, are positiveindications that the conservation message isfinding a receptive audience. In terms of theecological dimensions of the project, the factthat numbers of hatchlings have remainedrelatively stable since 2002 is hugelyencouraging for a species that was probablyundergoing massive and steep decline in theyears before the project began.Cambodia’s B. baska population still facesmany challenges, analogous to those beingexperienced by all of the country’s wildlife.These include habitat loss and degradation,mainly though land clearing and conversionto agricultural use, and further threatsfrom poaching and illegal fishing practices.Although their status remains critical, theproject has given the species a fighting chanceand is now looking to build a secure futurefor Cambodia’s national reptile.Paul Calle instructs Sitha and Heng on proper antiseptic technique.16 August 2007turtle survival allianceturtle survival alliance August 200717

Range Country: MalaysiaTemperature-dependent sex determination studies in the River TerrapinGerald Kuchling, Chan Eng Heng, and Soh Chong Lengmain focus of the Setiu and DungunA River Terrapin (Batagur baska) Researchand Conservation Program in 2006/07 wasthe evaluation of egg incubation in wild nests,translocated nests (eggs reburied), and artificialincubation in styrofoam boxes and incubators.At the Dungun River, a total of 564 eggs weredeposited along the two major nesting banks(Pasir Kumpal, 33 nests and Pasir Tok Chu,11 nests) between January-March 2006, withall the eggs incubated on the sandbanks.The first four nests had to be excavated andkept in plastic basins due to severe floodingfrom 10-16 February 2006, but they werereburied in the riverbank after flooding hadfully subsided. Nests in Pasir Kumpal wereallowed to incubate in situ and in 10 nests thetemperature was monitored with data loggers.Nests in Tok Chu were excavated on 23March and placed in styrofoam boxes of sandfor continued incubation at the UniversityMalaysia Terengganu.At the Setiu River, a total of 387 eggs weresuccessfully purchased from egg collectorsfor incubation. The eggs were from 24different clutches. Sixteen clutches were eachincubated in separate styrofoam boxes of sand,with 12 boxes placed in an indoor incubationroom (temperature range of 30.0 – 39.0 0 C,average of 32.4 ± 2.3 0 C) and 4 in a roofedand well-ventilated shed (temperature rangeof 28.0 – 34.0 0 C, average of 30.7 ± 2.0 0 C).The remaining 8 clutches were incubated in3 temperature-controlled incubation boxes inwhich the temperatures were also monitoredwith data loggers (mean temperatures of29.7°C and 31.7°C).The Turtle Survival Alliance funded trips ofGerald Kuchling to Malaysia in February andMay 2007 to sex headstarted B. baska fromthe 2006 nests by endoscopy. The temperaturemonitored nests at the Dungun River allshowed mean incubation temperatures ofroughly 32.5°C. Forty five juveniles of thosewere sexed and all found to be female (0%males). As part of his UMT Masters program,Soh Chong Leng sexed endoscopically underKuchling’s supervision 66 headstarted B. baskahatchlings from the temperature-controlledincubation boxes. The combined results ofA newly hatched Batagur with the egg-tooth.these studies suggest that B. baska has a pivotaltemperature (that produces an equal sex ratio)close to 31.5°C, with mainly males beingproduced at lower temperatures and mainlyfemales at higher temperatures. However,due to technical problems with the incubatorboxes, all incubation temperatures fluctuated.The constant temperature pivotal temperaturemay be slightly different (e.g., higher).Thus, the large tropical Asian-sandbanknestingriver turtle B. baska seems to have asimilar high pivotal temperature (where anequal sex ratio is produced) as the large tropicalSouth American-sandbank-nesting riverturtles Podocnemis expansa and P. unifilis. Thismay not be a surprise for a turtle biologist, butit could be for some US zoos that were alreadybreeding and artificially incubating B. baskaeggs for many years, presumably most of themat masculinizing temperatures. In addition,more than 30 years of B. baska egg collection,incubation, head starting and release programsin Malaysia have not yet translate into anystabilization of the wild populations which arestill in steep decline. Although it is difficultto evaluate retrospectively what went wrong,the possibility of such programs producingheavily biased sex ratios is a reality (seeTSA Newsletter Feb. 2005). Recovery andconservation programs of critically endangeredspecies that include nest translocations and/orcaptive breeding should never proceed withoutinvestigating the male and female producingincubation temperatures at the start of theproject, even if a species (e.g. a softshell turtle)is believed not to have TSD (see report onChitra chitra, this newsletter). Since this canbe done by endoscopy without sacrificingany offspring, there is no longer any excusefor not evaluating sex ratios immediately inall recovery projects of critically endangeredturtles.Workers rescue Batagur eggs from a waterlogged beach nursery in Malaysia.Range Country: ThailandTSA assists breeding program for Siamese Narrow-headed Softshell TurtleGerald Kuchling, Wachira Kitimasak, and Jonathan MurrayBased on recommendations of the TSAsponsoredevaluation of the Chitrachitra captive breeding program of theKanchanaburi Inland Fisheries DevelopmentCenter (KIFDC) in January/February2006 (see TSA Newsletter August 2006),several changes were implemented regardinghusbandry and egg incubation. According tothe ultrasound assessment of gonadal activityof the adult breeding stock in early 2006, theonly remaining adult female Chitra, whichhad not laid any eggs since 2002, was movedinto a different pond with two differentmales. One of the males she was originallypaired with was in poor health and the secondone was relatively small, whereas the two newmales were large and in good condition.Again on a TSA mission in early 2007,Gerald Kuchling continued the histologicalexamination of gonads of dead juvenileC. chitra and confirmed the preliminaryresults from 2006 of a male-biased sex ratioof captive-bred juveniles (now standing atabout 80% males). In the past, eggs wereincubated in sand in a drum placed in a shedwithout temperature control. In late January2007, Gerald and Jonathan Murray deliveredthree new TSA-financed electrically heatedincubators to Wachira Kitimasak (KIFDC),which were soon put to good use. Thehusbandry changes enabled the female Chitrato produce eggs again after a five year pause,and she laid four clutches of 25, 60, 63 and60 eggs during February - April 2007howeverseveral eggs were broken during nesting andsome eggs were smaller than usual. Whenthis female last reproduced in 2002, her eggswere also smaller than those of another female(which is no longer available).A proportion of the eggs were incubated atconstant temperatures of 29, 31, and 33°C.Once the hatchlings have grown enoughthey will be sexed by endoscopy to evaluateif C. chitra hatchling sex ratios dependon incubation temperature. Ten eggs hadhatched by April-May 2007.This beach was supplemented with additional sand to create a more suitable nesting environment,one of a number of husbandry modifications funded by the TSA.The incubators allow for three temperature regimes to determine if a TSD pattern exist for theSiamese Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle.An artificially incubated C. chitra hatching.Gerald KuchlingWachira KitimasakWachira Kitimasak18 August 2007turtle survival allianceturtle survival alliance August 200719

Range Country: MyanmarNew Captive Facility for Burmese Roofed Turtles OpensRick HudsonThe Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) ispleased to announce that efforts to saveone of the world’s most endangered turtlestook a major step forward recently. A newcaptive breeding and management facility forthe Burmese Roofed Turtle, Kachuga trivittata,was officially opened on 2 December 2006 atthe Yadanobon Zoo in Mandalay, Myanmar.This project is a joint endeavor of the TSA,the British Chelonia Group (BCG), and theWildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Dr.Tint Lwin (Yadanobon Zoo), Bill Holmstorm(WCS), Win Ko Ko (WCS) and RickHudson (TSA) helped coordinate the openingceremony that was attended by representativesfrom the Myanmar Forestry Department,the Yadanabon Zoo, Crystal Perceptionengineering firm, and faculty and studentsfrom the University of Mandalay. The openingculminated with the release of 2.3 adult K.trivittata into the breeding pond; turtles werereleased at the nesting beach and allowed toslowly find their way to the water in hopes thatthe females would orient to this area when itcomes time to nest. Due to the large size ofthe breeding pond, four adults were fitted withradiotransmitters so they could be monitored.It was especially gratifying to see one of themales up basking on the ramp to the nestingbeach, and the females feeding on floatingvegetation, the next day.The new facility also features a floatingbasking platform, a fenced feeding area, awater hyacinth-filled biological filtrationAdult females make their way down the ramp from the nesting area, heading to water.pond, security fencing and a juvenile rearingarea with six grow-out ponds. Sixteen 2006-hatched K. trivittata hatchlings, collected fromwild nests on the Upper Chindwin River, arenow being raised here. Construction fundswere provided by the BCG and the TSAthrough grants from the Batchelor Foundationand Walter Sedgwick.The Burmese Roofed Turtle recovery programis proving to be a model example where fieldand captive efforts are strongly linked andsupport one another. This year the WCS turtleteam located eight wild nests and collected 88hatchling K. trivittata for head starting, 16of which were brought to Yadanabon Zoo.Several subadults trapped in fishermen’s netson the Chindwin were also turned over to theWCS team and often incorporated into thebreeding program. With dam constructionalready begun, and the remaining knownnesting habitat of this species projected tobe underwater within five years, the captivemanagement program takes on a greater senseof urgency. Within the next few years biologistsmust collect critical data on natural nestingecology, particularly incubation temperaturesand TSD patterns, as well as determine howto successfully breed and raise K. trivittata incaptivity. To address these as well as a rangeThe new breeding pond at the Yadanabon Zoo is large and features a nesting beach, a floating basking platform and a fenced feeding area to assistwith capture.rick hudson rick hudsonrick hudsonof other questions and concerns, plans areunderway for a Species Recovery Workshop,to be held late in 2007 in Mandalay.The TSA is also developing plans for twonew breeding facilities for the Burmese StarTortoise, Geochelone platynota, in Myanmar.The first will be at the Minsontaung WildlifeSanctuary, in conjunction with EAZAShellshock, the second at the YadanobonZoo in collaboration with WCS and others.Both places already have successful breedingprograms but the facilities are either too smallor lack adequate security.This “growout” facility at Yadanabon Zoo was designed to hold various sizes of growing BurmeseRoofed Turtles.Opening ceremony for the new breeding and management facilities for Burmese Roofed Turtles, Yadanabon Zoo, Mandalay.Bill Holmstrom holds an adult male Burmese Roofed Turtle, equipped with radio transmitter, prior to release into the breeding pond.rick hudson22 August 2007 turtle survival alliance turtle survival alliance August 200723

Range Country: Mexicomanagement plans for these two sites arenow being developed that will considerconservation strategies for D. mawii.Gustavo AguirreConservation of the Central American River Turtle in VeracruzHistorically, fishing in inland waterswas an activity that provided food forsmall scale consumption by local people.After the 1970s, fishing began diversifyingand growing in scope. Rural fishermenrepresent an impoverished sector that laborsintensively, lacks organization, and generallywoks at a subsistence level. Besides fish, thesefishermen capture other aquatic vertebratessuch as turtles, crocodiles, caiman and otters.In particular, freshwater turtles are importantto inland water fishermen and represent asignificant source of protein to local people.However, there are no statistics on theircapture and trade because of the illegalityand hence clandestine nature of this activityin Mexico, despite the fact that turtles havebeen protected by Mexican environmentaland wildlife laws since 1994.Thirty one freshwater turtle species arepresent in Mexico, and southern Veracruzsupports one of the most diverse assemblagesof these reptiles in the country. Nine speciesare distributed there, including Chelydrarossignoni, Dermatemys mawii, Rhinoclemmysareolata, Trachemys venusta, Claudiusangustatus, Kinosternon acutum, Kinosternonleucostomum, Kinosternon scorpioides andStaurotypus triporcatus. Most populationsThis floating module in Veracruz, Mexicois designed as a sustainable ecotourismbasedmodel that promotes the large-scaleproduction of Dermatemys.of these taxa are under excessive pressure forhuman use and have been locally extirpatedin some areas. This situation makes itnecessary to expand research activities thatare oriented towards developing alternativesto using turtles, or promoting their use in asustainable manner. Such activities shoulddiscourage illegal trade, while promoting wiseuse of the resource and creating a positiveimpact on the rural people that depend onthese resources.In the state of Veracruz, located along thecoast of the Gulf of Mexico, a number ofinitiatives for the protection of threatenedfreshwater turtles are underway. Theestablishment of a State Committee in 2004to protect, conserve and manage wetlands,has promoted the consolidation of taskforces dealing with related conservationissues such as threatened freshwater turtles.The prospects for the conservation of theendangered river turtle, Dermatemys mawii,in Veracruz are promising. In the last threeyears two internationally designated Ramsarsites, comprising 268,985 hectares of wetlandhabitat, have been established within therange of Dermatemys in Veracruz. Theyare “Humedales de la Laguna La Popotera”and “Sistema Lagunar de Alvarado” andAn inside view of the module containinggroups of young Central American RiverTurtles and soil areas for cultivating forageplants.The Central American River Turtle,Dermatemys mawii.Brian HorneIn Ramsar site No. 1462 “Humedales dela Laguna La Popotera” ecotourism andenvironmental education are being promotedin coordination with a local fishing group,Sociedad Cooperativa de Pesca “La Popotera.”This initiative aims to provide employment tofishermen through low- impact ecotourismand sustainable use of wetland resources,and to discourage overexploitation ofthreatened species including several turtles.With this idea in mind, a floating module forenvironmental education was designed andbuilt with support from the Turtle SurvivalAlliance (TSA). This is a demonstrationmodule that contains both hydroponics andaquaculture pilot systems, and that illustratesa technique for maximizing sustainable use ofwetlands.The floating module has two vegetableproduction containers for raising turtleforage and two units holding Dermatemys.Written information is provided concerningfreshwater turtles and their protected status.The module is installed on the PapaloapanRiver at the entrance to the “la Popotera”Ramsar site where local fishermen gather.Printed materials are provided to visitorsthat illustrate productive alternatives tothose with legal access to freshwater turtles;the situation for the critically endangeredD. mawii is emphasized with suggestions forpotential ways to help protect them at thelocal level. In the future we hope to developother sustainable ecotourism-based modelsthat promote the large-scale production ofDermatemys, thus relieving hunting pressureson natural populations.24 August 2007turtle survival allianceturtle survival alliance August 200725

Shailendra SinghRange Country: IndiaIndian turtle research and recovery program focuses on the National Chambal River SanctuaryThe Turtle Project team of the MadrasCrocodile Bank Trust (MCBT) starteda variety of activities in National ChambalSanctuary in late January this year, to meetthe nest protection and headstarting targetsdetermined for 2007 for the Red-crownedRoof Turtle (Kachuga kachuga) and the Three-Striped Roof Turtle (Kachuga dhongoka) as perthe Indian Turtle Action Plan of the MCBT/TSA 2005 Workshop in Lucknow. Varioussections of the Chambal River in UttarPradesh (UP) and Madhya Pradesh (MP) wererapidly surveyed in January to select locationsfor setting up in situ turtle hatcheries. Variouscriteria like turtle abundance, nesting habitatsuitability, levels of human disturbance andlogistic ease, and experiences of the previousyear were used in the selection of the sites.Three localities, which included Garhaitaand Baswara in UP and Rajghat in MP, wereselected for setting up the riverside hatcheriesfor the turtle headstarting program for 2007.Four field assistants were engaged for eachof the two hatcheries in UP and two for thehatchery in MP. Some of the persons engagedpossessed experience of hatchery techniquesfrom the previous year while some werenew. Sessions in egg collection and hatcherytechniques were conducted, both for trainingnew workers and as refresher courses for thosewho had worked before.The setting up of hatcheries in UP at twolocations, namely Garhaita and Baswara,was completed by 31 January 2007. Thesehatcheries were located within 6 km of eachother at about 30 km from the district townof Etawah. At each hatchery, an area 30m x20 m on the Chambal River was fenced offagainst egg predators. The two hatcherieswere located respectively on a sandbankand a mid-river island that were in no waydifferent from nesting habitat of turtles andwhere nesting of turtles, in fact, occurs. Thehatcheries were fenced using thorn bushesand old nylon fishnets as had been done inthe previous year. However, in order to testa precautionary suggestion that shade fromthe thorn bushes may significantly affectthe temperature regimes on that hatchery,the hatchery at Baswara was enclosed usingfishnets only, while a double fence was usedfor the hatchery at Garhaita. Here, theouter fence of thorny branches of the exoticmesquite (Prosopis juliflora) enclosed, at adistance of 2m, the inner fence of nylon fishnetting. These fencing materials had provedto be predator proof during the previous yearand, because of low cost, were again used thisyear.Three field assistants led by a researchersearched for turtle nests between 0600 to0900 hr and 1600 to 1800 hr each day. Theteams covered a section of river approximately3km up and downstream of the hatcheries.Occasional nest searches were also conductedon islands and sandbanks at more distantlocations during nesting surveys of riversections extending from 15 to 50 km fromthe hatcheries. Roughly 2400 man hourswere spent in searching for nests at each of thehatcheries, during February to April 2007.Additionally, efforts were made to capturefemales during nesting emergences duringhours of darkness.Above: One of the many threats to turtleson the Chambal River is fishing, usingeither lines of hooks or nets. Here a femaleKachuga dhongoka is snagged on a hook.Right: This group of freshly hatched ThreestripedRoofed Turtles will be marked withan ID tag and then released, in an attemptto assess survival rates in this species.37 nests (697 eggs) of K. kachuga and 258nests (5,871 eggs) of K. dhongoka and 6 nests(136 eggs) of K. kachuga and 219 nests (4,842eggs) of K. dhongoka, were collected and arebeing incubated at the Garahaita and Baswarahatcheries respectively. Clutches transportedto the hatchery were buried at the same depthat which the egg mass had been recordedin the nest. The clutches were incubated inholes excavated 100 cm away from each other.Plastic boards displaying clutch number, size,and date of collection of each nest have beenfixed over each clutch for easy identification.Earliest nesting of K. dhongoka was observedon 31 January 2007 in a nest that hadbeen predated; the first nest collectecd forthe hatchery was on 1 February 2007. Thefrequency of nesting activities such as crawltracks, trial nests, and egg clutches began tointensify by the first week of February. Thisceased for about a week, due to moderatebut regular rainfall in the 2 nd and 3 rd weeksof February, and resumed thereafter. Nestingcontinued through the entire month ofMarch before discontinuing, approximatelyin mid April.A riverbank nesting habitat at a site calledChilonga in MP (ca. 3 km length; close tothe Garhaita hatchery) is being kept underobservation as a control site, to determinepredation pressure. One hundred andtwenty two natural nests of K. dhongoka wereenumerated at this site but not collectedin order to observe them throughout theincubation season. Till mid-April, predationin 93 nests was observed, suggesting that theegg protection and head starting programcontributes significantly to improving thesurvival rates of Kachuga in the Chambal.Nesting parameters such as nest-holedimensions, and distances and heights ofnests from the stream edge were recorded.Temperatures of all nests were recordedbefore collection of eggs using accurate andcalibrated thermo-probes. Spoor width ofall observed nesting crawls of turtles weremeasured. Dimensions of captured liveturtles was also correlated with their spoors todevelop a reliable method of estimating sizesof nesting females. Eggs were measured forrandom nests. All nesting females capturedwere measured and marked. All predatednests were recorded to quantify the predationrate. After recording predation of a nest theeggshells were covered in the nest holes, andnesting signs manually obliterated, to preventrecounting of predated nests already recorded.A total of 1,124 predated nests were countedon 10 nesting banks in UP from Februarythrough April 2007.Nesting patterns and predation pressures onriverbanks as opposed to midriver islandswill also be compared from our data. Sinceriverbanks are more prone to predation,more emphasis was placed on collectingthe turtle nests from sandbanks rather thanislands. Clutches have been separated fromeach other by close-packed stick fencing of25- 30 cm in height to prevent hatchlingsof nests incubated at specific temperaturesor collected from specific areas from mixingwith others. Turtle surveys to locate nestingand habitats for target species, commencedfrom early February and continue till now.100 km out of the 172 km of the River inUttar Pradesh and 250 km in MP Chambalwere also surveyed to monitor turtle nestingand nesting habitats in the entire sanctuary.All locations were inventoried with the helpof GPS and permanent reference points. Nestcounts, including predated nests were done,besides the carapaces of all turtles found innet entanglements, whether dead or aliveare being recorded and measured. Details ofremains of adult dead turtles found so farin UP stretch are Kachuga dhongoka (12),Kachuga kachuga (4), Hardella thurjii (15),Aspiderestes gangeticus (10), Chitra indica (2),Lissemys punctata andersonii (3) Pangshuratentoria circumdata (20).All observed human impacts on turtleactivity and habitat are being recorded andcomprise mainly agriculture, illegal fishing,26 August 2007turtle survival allianceturtle survival alliance August 200727

sand mining, fuel wood trafficking, cattleactivity and camels. Information on poachingand other human dependencies on riverhave been collected as far as possible. Onehundred forty five turtle nests were seen tohave been robbed at Pachhaygaon sand bar inthe month of February, while local villagersnear Baswara village fed 17 nests of dhongokato feral dogs. Extensive photographicrecords of dead turtles and illegal gear beingclandestinely used in this Protected Area arebeing collected during the head starting andnest protection operations.In MP preparation of a turtle hatchery at asandbank near the Rajghat railway bridge,20 km from Deori Gharial RehabilitationCenter in Morena district, was completed on3 February 2007. 28 clutches (554 eggs) ofK. kachuga and 37 clutches (937 eggs) of K.dhongoka are being incubated at this hatchery.In addition, six nests (105 eggs) of K. kachugaand 9 nests (207 eggs) of K. dhongoka are alsobeing incubated at the Deori Gharial center.A total 265 predated nests were observed fromFebruary to mid April during the surveys ofthe Chambal in MP. Eleven mid-river nestingislands (believed to be predation free) with102 nests of K. kachuga and 202 nests of K.dhongoka are being monitored to determinetheir fate in Madhya Pradesh. These nestswill be kept under observation continuallyuntil hatching. On hatching, hatchlings fromsome protected nests will be collected forcaptive rearing and head start program. Allhatched nests will be excavated and checkedfor the presence of unhatched eggs and theirnumbers will be recorded. Temperature dataloggers were deployed in 11 nests of bothspecies in all three hatcheries, three wild nestsand one of the natural nests that are beingbuilt with metal mesh by the UP ForestDepartment. Data loggers are also deployedto record soil, air, and water temperatures.Mid-river small islands, which emerge in lateMarch to early April, have been observed tobe important nesting sites for late nesters,especially K. kachuga. Untimely floods (waterlevel rise due to water releases from upstreamdams) during the mid-April, 2007 wereobserved to wash away five such K. kachuganesting islands with 29 nests and inundatedfour other small nesting islands in a ca. 12km stretch of the Chambal in UP while 41nests of both species were washed away fromsix major nesting islands in MP.Above: Newly hatched Three-striped RoofedTurtles are tagged and released along theChambal River Sanctuary.Below: This Kachuga egg hatchery atGarhaita in the Chambal River Sanctuaryhas an exclosure fence to protect againstnest predation.Shailendra Singh manages the India turtleconservation program for the TSA and isshown here measuring a nesting femaleKachuga dhongoka.Hatching of K. dhongoka in 2007 began on 4 –6 May at the Rajghat and Garhaita hatcheries.Hatchlings at Garhaita are collected andmarked on the plastron with a permanentmarker for identification. Hatchlings aremeasured, selectively photographed andtagged with colored plastic tags before beingreleased during 0600-0700 hr and between1700-1800 hr to reduce the risk of heatstress. Future plans include the rearing of 400hatchlings of both species at the Deori (MP)and Garhaita (UP) turtle rearing facilities forthe head-starting program. It is expected thatin the coming season surveys, nest collection(headstarting) and trade monitoring will beinitiated for another critically endangeredtarget species of the Indian Turtle ActionPlan, the Narrow headed Soft-shell Turtle(Chita indica) in Chambal River as well asthe Sarju Rivers in North UP in the monthof September. Post-monsoon recaptureexercise is also proposed to determine thesurvivorship of head-started and releasedKachuga hatchings in the Chambal River.Training on various aspects of turtle biologyand conservation like survey techniques, eggcollection, and hatchery management hasbeen given to several students, volunteers fromdifferent NGOs, and staff of the UP and MPState Forest Department. Education programare also conducted whenever possible, tomake local communities aware about thediversity and conservation of turtles in theChambal. The team members involved in theprogram are Shailendra Singh, Rishikesh K.Sharma, Ashutosh Tripathi, Dhruvjyoti Basuand Harry V. Andrews.The MCBT Turtle Conservation Projectis highly indebted to Mr. Rick Hudsonand Dr. Brian D. Horne for their support,encouragement, and suggestions. TheTurtle Survival Alliance, EAZA Shellshock,Batchelor’s Foundation, Zoological Societyof San Diego, Turtle Conservation Fund, andthe Detroit Zoological Institute are gratefullyacknowledged for funding the conservationof endangered Indian turtles through thecurrent project.JOEL FRIESCHTSATurtle Survival AllianceTransforming passion forturtles into conservationactionwww.TurtleSurvival.org28 August 2007 turtle survival alliance turtle survival alliance August 200729

Gerald Kuchling and Lu ShunqingRange Country: ChinaTSA supports efforts to establish a breeding program for the last Yangtze Giant Softshell TurtleFemale Rafetus at Hunan Zoo, Changsha, inold enclosure in January 2007.The Yangtze Giant Softshell (Rafetusswinhoei) is arguably the largestfreshwater turtle in the world, and the mostcritically endangered. A Rafetus ConservationWorkshop in Suzhou from 20-21 September2006 drafted an “Action Plan for theConservation of the Giant Yangtze SoftshellRafetus swinhoei.” Immediate prioritiesidentified in this draft Action Plan include:• Sexing of the known individuals ofRafetus at Shanghai Zoo, Suzhou Zoo andWest Garden Buddhist temple in Suzhou.• Input from turtle reproductivephysiologists on how to get old turtles tostart reproducing.• Plans for housing and husbandry ofanimals.• Recommendations for diet.• Contact zoos, buddhist temples, safariparks, etc about large softshell turtles theymay be keeping.In January 2007 the TSA sent Dr. GeraldKuchling to Suzhou in order to conduct aworkshop with the Chinese stakeholders(Zoos, Chinese Zoo Association, West GardenBuddhist Monastery) and counterparts(WCS-China Program, in particular LS) toaddress the points listed above. Unfortunately,the Rafetus of Shanghai Zoo had died in mid-December 2006 and could only be examinedin a freezer. The good news of January 2007was that after the workshop a previouslyunknown live female Rafetus was identified atthe Changsha Zoo in Hunan Province.In May 2007 the TSA again sent Gerald toChina to examine and complete the sexingof all known Rafetus (those at Suzhou werehibernating in January). The combinedJanuary and May 2007 missions allow thefollowing assessment regarding gender:• Shanghai Zoo: the deceased Rafetus wasa male.• Suzhou Zoo: the only remaining Rafetusis a male.• West Garden Buddhist Temple: the onlyremaining Rafetus is a male.• Changsha Zoo: the Rafetus is a female.It is not straightforward and easy to sex R.swinhoei, in particular if the turtles are notflipped on their backs to avoid unnecessarystress. Although in undamaged males the tailhas a thick base and the cloaccal opening is nearthe tip of the tail directly under or behind theposterior rim of the carapace, the tail lengthof the female is only very slightly shorter, thecloaccal opening also being near the tip ofthe tail directly under or only slightly cranialto the posterior carapace rim. Although oursample size is very small, a sexually dimorphiccharacter seems to be body size: males arelarger. For example the body mass at death ofthe male at Shanghai Zoo was 117 kg, whereasthe body mass of the old female at Changshafluctuated for many years between 37 and 40kg (37.2 kg in May 2007).All three living Rafetus individuals are fromthe Lake Tai Hu area of the lower Yangtzeplain (the northernmost population of thespecies) and were already large individuals inthe respective institutions in 1949, the yearof the independence of the PR China. It isnot known how long the Suzhou Zoo malehas been in his pond. His pond/enclosure ispart of an old World Heritage- listed Gardenthat existed for a long time. According tothe monks, the West Garden male had beenthere for over 400 years. Prior to 1949 theChangsha female had been part of a travelinganimal exhibit and had traveled all throughChina. Thus, all presently known survivingindividuals of R. swinhoei in China seem tobe old (at least > 70 years) and may be veryold (100+ years).Rafetus swinhoei does not seem to survivewell in “modern” zoo exhibits. A Rafetus ina reptile exhibit at Beijing Zoo had died in2004. The male at Shanghai Zoo (which hadbeen there since 1975) had been moved intoa new reptile exhibit in 2005 and had diedby late 2006. In contrast, the two survivingmales at Suzhou both live year-round in largeand relatively deep outdoor ponds wherethey hibernate during winter (Novemberto April). The female at Changsha had alsobeen kept outdoors and had hibernated in alarge outdoor pond from 1949 until the fallof 2006. However, in October 2006 she wasfor the first time moved into an indoor reptileexhibit where she could not hibernate (so thatzoo visitors can also observe her during winter).This caused concerns regarding her healthand survival prospects when we discoveredher in late January 2007. UnfortunatelyChangsha Zoo neither took part in theRafetus workshop in September 2006 nor inJanuary 2007, since by then their turtle hadnot yet been identified as Rafetus. Suddenlyrealizing the importance of their turtle - thelast presently known female of the species -Changsha Zoo immediately constructed anew outdoor enclosure and moved her on 7February 2007 (less than two weeks after herdiscovery). Although we do not consider hernew enclosure to be optimal, this move mayhave saved her life.In conclusion, the external assessments ofhealth and reproductive conditions of allknown Chinese Rafetus alive in May 2007revealed:• The male at Suzhou Zoo is very old andscarred. About 15 years ago (early 1990s)another Rafetus was moved into his pond. Abattle started immediately and the residentRafetus killed the other one (also a male,now stuffed) the same day. During thisbattle the survivor may have lost the backpart of his leathery carapace flap. For thatreason its tail now protrudes from underthe carapace and is visible from above. Itshows a thick tail base and identifies theturtle as male. The turtle has white patcheson the neck, probably also old battle scars.Unexpectedly, in May 2007 Suzhou Zoosuddenly refused permission to touch andclosely examine this Rafetus. No furtherassessment was, therefore, possible.• West Garden Buddhist Temple allowedtheir Rafetus to be touched, but did notallow capture and restraint of the turtlefor closer examination. Gerald was able topalpate its tail for over 30 seconds whilethe Rafetus was basking in shallow wateron a basking island. This clearly allowedit to be identified as male (thick tail basewhere the penis is palpable). This Rafetusis strong and seems to be healthy and ingood condition.• Despite concerns regarding health andreproductive condition of the female atChangsha following her partly warm overwinteringin 2006/07, she was in goodcondition in May. Ultrasound scanningrevealed that she had recently ovulated andhad soft-shelled eggs in the oviducts, plusbatches of vitellogenic ovarian follicles.This suggests that she may even producetwo clutches of eggs in 2007. This causedsome excitement in the Hunan mediawith several newspapers and TV stationsreporting this finding.With two males (at least one - West Garden- in good condition) and one female Rafetusin breeding condition in the spring of 2007,the biological prerequisites were present tostart captive breeding of Rafetus immediately.However, institutional and bureaucratichurdles delayed this dream. All threeinstitutions holding Rafetus are unwilling tomake their specimen available for breedingloan. They are considered too valuable foreach institution. In this situation artificialinsemination could be a solution, but againsuch a trial was not possible in 2007. Thiswould have required restraining a malefor a short time in order to attempt spermcollection. This was not possible with SuzhouZoo even refusing to let their Rafetus betouched and West Garden only letting theirRafetus be touched while unrestrained.Thus, the good news for captive breeding ofRafetus in China is that one or two clutches ofeggs will be produced in 2007. The bad newsis that the female had been kept isolated fromBasking Rafetus male at West Garden Buddhist Temple. Posterior carapace flap is undamaged andmore or less covers the tail.Gerald Kuchling conducts a reproductive assessment, using ultrasonography, on the female Rafetusat Huan Zoo in Changsha.any males for at least 58 years (and probablymuch longer) and that there is no immediateprospect to rectify this problem. Despite theadvanced age of the potential breeding stockthe present captive breeding obstacles forRafetus in China do not seem to be biologicalor reproductive physiological, only politicaland bureaucratic. The TSA wishes to thankOcean Park Conservation Foundation, HongKong, for generously underwriting some ofthis work.Gerald Kuchling palpating the tail ofunrestrained Rafetus male at West GardenBuddhist Temple.30 August 2007turtle survival allianceturtle survival alliance August 200731

Range Country: VietnamTurtle conservation developments in VietnamTim McCormack and Douglas HendrieAn update from the Turtle ConservationCentre (TCC) of Cuc Phuong NationalPark and the Vietnam-based Asian TurtleProgram (ATP)At the turn of the new millennium, theAsian Turtle Crisis was at its most visiblewith hundreds of turtles and tortoises on salein markets around the region. In recent yearshowever, the crisis seems to have receded withlower numbers of animals being observed inthe trade.Although it is likely that to some extentthis change is a result of improved publicawareness and wildlife law enforcement thereare indications that this is simply reflectingthe relative scarcity of turtles remaining inthe wild, with remaining turtle populationsunable to sustain collection and trade at thelevels seen a decade ago. Data from interviewbasedsurveys in Vietnam have shown thatturtles remain a highly economically-valuablespecies, and although the intensity of focusedcollectionhas reduced in some areas withdepleted wild populations, opportunisticcollection is ongoing and the situation forVietnam’s turtles now is more desperate thanever.Since the Asian Turtle Crisis was firstrecognised, Vietnam led the region intargeted conservation activities to address thecrisis. A new generation of national educatedand enthusiastic biologists is now leading theconservation of Vietnam’s chelonian fauna.The Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) ofCuc Phuong National Park, established in1998 during the height of trade activity,remains a flagship initiative that has putturtle conservation on the map in Vietnam,motivating government as well as NGOsto prioritize turtle issues. Initially receivingsmall numbers of confiscated turtles it hasexpanded into a range state assurance colonyfor specific species, implements rigorousresearch in the field and in captivity, and hascarried out awareness and training programs.The 2000m 2 facility was transferred in2002 to National Park Management, butcontinues to receive technical support fromA functioning stream in the Vietnamese Box Turtle enclosure at the Turtle Conservation Center(TCC) at Cuc Phuong.the Asian Turtle Program (ATP), a Hanoibased entity supported largely by ClevelandZoo with support from other organisationswhich collaborates with the TCC on research,training and awareness programs.Currently the TCC maintains 1161 turtles(April 2007) representing 19 of the 25species native to Vietnam. Species-specificoutdoor enclosures, two hatchling rooms,an incubation room and a vet buildingenable the centre to prioritize captivebreeding on seven focus species, Cuoragalbinifrons, Cuora bourreti, Cuora picturata,Mauremys annamensis, Cuora mouhotii,Sacalia quadriocellata, and Indotestudoelongata. Breeding success has increased;in 2002 only two species, Heosemys grandisand Indotestudo elongata were successfullyhatching. By 2006 this had improved to 13species including Cuora galbinifrons, Cuorabourreti, Geoemyda spengleri, Cuora mouhotii,Mauremys annamensis, Ocadia sinensis andSacalia quadriocellata. During 2006, 277confiscated animals arrived at the center,and an additional 34 Mauremys annamensiswere returned to Vietnam from KadoorieFarm and Botanical Garden in Hong Kong,importantly representing the first turtlesreturned to Vietnam from overseas.By autumn the TCC will also have completedits most ambitious projects to date - theconstruction of a visitors centre. Featuringthree underwater viewing tanks for aquaticspecies, a hatchling and incubation room,and an interpretive tour of the centre. Theexperience is intended to raise individualawareness of the plight of turtles in some ofthe 70,000 visitors Cuc Phuong NationalPark receives annually.A hatchling Cuora galbinifrons at the TCC.Tim McCormackTim McCormackTraining and conservation researchupdate for the Asian Turtle Program(ATP) and Turtle Conservation Centre(TCC)The Asian Turtle Program (ATP) hasalso undertaken a number of trainingand research initiatives during 2006 and2007, many of these in collaboration withthe TCC. As part of ongoing training, thethird annual weeklong tortoise and freshwaterturtle field skills training course was held in2007 at Cuc Phuong National Park, as wellas the third half day university presentationon turtle ecology and the Asian Turtle Crisis.Day long enforcement training has also beenheld in three provinces for 60 FPD rangers in2006 and for 55 FPD rangers and 19 customsofficials in 2007, focusing on cross border tradeof turtles from Cambodia into Vietnam.Tim McCormackThe ATP has also started to develop a numberof species-focused conservation and researchprojects. In Cuc Phuong National Park aradio telemetry study has now been runningsince 2003 on the Three Keeled Box Turtle,Cuora mouhotii, investigating for the first timethe wild behaviour of this secretive speciesincluding home range and seasonal activity. Asmall group of confiscated animals have alsobeen monitored to determine survivorship,and to assess release as a potential option foranimals confiscated from the trade.In Quang Nam province, central Vietnam,surveys have also been undertaken to locatepopulations of the Vietnamese Pond Turtle,Mauremys annamensis, an endemic specieslast reported in the area in 1939. Since thenthe species has suffered considerably fromloss of lowland wetland habitat to agriculturalconversion and development, as well as fromcollection for the wildlife trade. An interviewsurvey revealed eight Mauremys annamensis inlocal trade and a series of sites were identifiedwhere the species had a high probability ofpersisting. In November 2006, one site wasThe first Vietnamese Pond Turtle observedby scientists in the wild for 67 years.Students of the 2007 training at Cuc Phuong National Park celebrate completing the course.revisited and aquatic traps set which resultedin the capture of a single juvenile Mauremysannamensis, confirming the species’ presenceat the site. In 2007, a localized conservationprogram is being developed at the site.Bourret’s Box Turtle (Cuora bourreti) iscritically endangered and restricted to centralVietnam. During 2006, a month of interviewsand field surveys focused on the species wereconducted in Song Thanh Nature Reserve,Quang Nam province. It was found thatwhile Cuora bourreti still occurs at the site,illegal collection has greatly reduced numbers.The survey found a high level of cheloniandiversity, with seven species occurring in thearea, or identified as having a high probabilityof occurring. This included five endangered orcritically endangered species, Cuora bourreti,Cuora mouhotii, Platysternon megacephalum,Palea steindachneri, and Sacalia quadriocellata.Efforts have also been made to locate remainingpopulations of the most endangered chelonianin the world, Yangtze Giant Soft-shell Turtle,Rafetus swinhoei. During 2006 surveys wereconducted in seven provinces and 29 districtsalong the Red River and its tributaries innorthern Vietnam. A skull was observed andanother potential site may persist. Surveys at amain site are ongoing where it is hoped effortswill be rewarded. The ATP is also workingin cooperation with Education for NatureVietnam (ENV), a local NGO, to developan awareness program on turtles, particularlyRafetus swinhoei, in communities surroundingareas where the species potentially occurs.Asian Turtle Program field research officer Mr.Nguyen Xuan Thuan measures three Cuorabourreti shown to the team by a trader nearSong Thanh Nature Reserve.The TCC and ATP will continue to collaborateon developing conservation strategies forVietnamese chelonian species. With effortssince 1998 and the establishment of theTCC having a positive effect, the numberof individuals working in research andconservation on turtles hasincreased dramatically as hasthe interest in the species groupby the government and NGOsector.For further information relating to the TCCor ATP projects please E-mail:ATCnetwork@fpt.vnOr visit the ATC Network website:wwwAsianTurtleNetwork.orgDoug HendrieTim McCormack32 August 2007turtle survival allianceturtle survival alliance August 200733

Conservation Funding in ActionConservation Funding in ActionTURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE - PARTNER GRANTSDISNEY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FUND - UPDATEUpdate: Temperature Sex Determination(TSD) Project for the Yellow-margined BoxTurtle, Cuora flavomarginataRay FarrellIn 2005 a study was initiated to determine ifthe sex of hatchling Cuora flavomarginata’scould be influenced by temperature duringincubation. If so, this information wouldprovide a method to determine the gender ofhatchlings by manipulating the temperatureduring incubation. This information wouldbe beneficial in that it would provide amanagement tool to help meet our TaxonManagement Plan (TMG) of 300 TSA F1’s(100 males and 200 females).Female Cuora flavomarginata were palpatedtwice a week from 1 June to 15 August todetermine if they were gravid. Gravid femaleswere removed from their outdoor pens andplaced individual in 50 to 75 gallon tankscontaining several inches of peat and topsoil.These turtles were checked daily until theydeposited their eggs. Data was collected oneach female that laid eggs, the sire recorded ifknown and the number of eggs laid. The eggswere individually placed in clear plastic pintcontainers with a mixture of vermiculate andwater (six to five ratio). The plastic containerswere randomly placed within eight incubatorsthat were set at 25°C, 27°C, 29°C, and 30°C.As the hatchlings emerged from their eggseach turtle was assigned a turtle numberi.e. (L1-R2) by cutting a number in theirmarginals. A data sheet was prepared for eachhatchling recording incubation time, sireand dam along with their measurements andTemp# ofHatchlingsMalesFemales25°C 22 22 (100%) 0 ( 0%)27°C 22 17 ( 77%) 5 ( 23%)29°C 17 6 ( 35%) 11 ( 65%)30°C 12 0 ( 0%) 12 ( 100%)weight. The results to date are as follows:The data suggests that lower incubationtemperatures produce a greater number ofmales and higher temperatures produce morefemales. Additional data needs to be collectedthis year to test the findings. We also plan onincubating eggs at 26°C, 28°C and 31°C.Brian Horne, PhD, performed a laparoscopyon each hatchling in 2005 and 2006 todetermine the sex for this study. This wasa difficult and time-consuming proceduregiven their small size and the egg yoke thatwas still in their body cavities. Our thanks goto Brian for donating his time and expertise inperforming this procedure. He has performedthis procedure on 73 hatchlings withoutinjury or loss to any of them. Without hisefforts we would not have been able to sexthe hatchlings until they showed externalsexual characteristics several years from now.These results are preliminary and additionaldata needs to be collected and analyzed. Thisresearch was funded by a 2006 TSA PartnerGrant.2Update: Temperature Sex Determination(TSD) in Four Chelonian Species atKnoxville ZooMichael Ogle, KZGThe second year of this study hashad some successes as well as a fewsetbacks. The numbers of tortoises hatchedthis season is on par with last year. This hasgiven us a clearer idea of what directionto go in with the project. With a need toproduce 10-15 hatchlings (as in previousstudies) at each set temperature, it currentlyseems unrealistic to produce that manyof three of the four species (Geocheloneelegans, Geochelone platynota, and Pyxisplanicauda) originally set in the study. Notthat those species will be removed from theproject entirely, it just appears it will take amuch longer time to get the final numbersneeded. The current thought is to focusprimarily on Madagascar Spider Tortoises(Pyxis arachnoides spp.). Over the last twoseasons we have hatched over 30 CommonSpider Tortoises (P. a. arachnoides) for thestudy. We are also increasing our captivebred and potential founder numberswith Northern Spider Tortoises (P. a.brygooi) and Southern Spider Tortoises (P.a. oblonga) too. As long as we are able tocontinue our current success with Pyxisa. arachnoides over the next few years weshould have enough data to report on thisportion of the project.Community-based environmentaleducation for turtle conservation incoastal CambodiaDavid Emmett, C IThe flooded coastal forests of southwestCambodia are regionally importantfor freshwater turtle conservation, yet thesehabitats are largely unprotected. Studiesshow that the forested coastal region containsthe only known Cambodian populationof the Mangrove Turtle Batagur baska, aswell as populations of Elongated Tortoise(Indotestudo elongate), Yellow-headed TempleTurtle (Heosemys annandalii) , Asian BoxTurtle (Cuora amboinensis), Asian Giant PondTurtle (Heosemys grandis), Asiatic SoftshellTurtle (Amyda cartilaginea), Black MarshTurtle (Siebenrockiella crassicollis), and AsianLeaf Turtle (Cyclemys atripons).The coastal region consists of a mosaic oflowland evergreen forest, seasonally inundatedforest, and mangroves, criss-crossed with riversand interspersed with villages. These villagesare situated along the coast and rivers. Ourwork focused on those communities whoselocation and activities pose the most directthreat to turtle conservation in this area, eitherthrough accidental captures in fishing nets orthrough illegal harvesting of turtles for localconsumption or trade.This project aimed to initiate long-termconservation of wild, breeding populations ofglobally threatened turtles in the coastal regionof Cambodia, with particular emphasis onconservation of Batagur baska and Heosemysannandalii, by implementing environmentaleducation activities in the main communitiesaround known turtle breeding areas. Theproject utilised existing training programs inVietnam, where we sent five people – Prum Sithafrom the Cambodian Fisheries Administrationand four young Cambodian conservationistsfrom the BP-funded Cambodian TurtleConservation Team (Som Sitha, Sun Yoeung,Chey Kagna, and Sok Sokhorn) - for a 2-weekformal training course in environmentaleducation by Environment for Nature(ENV) in Vietnam. During thetraining and on their return, thesefive individuals developed educationactivities for children in schools andadults in the communities, as well asproducing educational resources and activitieswhich they then provided to schools andcommunes throughout the focal conservationarea.The team, with support from ENV, developedand delivered a set of four structured lessonsto children in schools across six communities.Each lecture built on the last, and providedstudents with a culmination of knowledgeon key conservation issues such as theenvironmental and social impacts of losingthe coastal forests, the need to protectCambodia’s turtles, and useful conservationactivities they can put into practice to protectand manage their environment.Our team also provided the schools withbiology and conservation books, turtleposters, turtle calendars, children’s notebooks,chalk and other basic yet essential schoolequipment, and framed pictures depictingturtle images and turtle conservationmessages.Supplemental resources which are currentlybeing developed as part of this grant includean illustrated story-book highlightingthe Mangrove turtle Batagur baska, anda children’s colouring book that providesinformation and conservation messages forthe younger generation.There were also many discussions withthe local communities to hear their ideason opportunities and needs for turtleconservation, and to see how the localcommunities can be involved.This project has kick-started conservationof turtles in southwest Cambodia and hasfocused national and international interest onthis area. This increased interest has led to thedevelopment of a 2-year turtle conservationproject focusing on training, empoweringand supporting teams of community rangerswho will patrol key sites in the floodedforests during the breeding season.The Cambodian Turtle ConservationTeam has raised over $45,000 fromBritish Petroleum to continue thework started by the Disney WildlifeConservation Fund (DWCF) - TSA fundedproject, and the team will provide crucialsupport and supervision to the communityranger teams.If this project is a success, breedingpopulations of turtles will be secured andconserved within the coastal region. Thearea will effectively become a safe sourcefrom which turtles can disperse into fourcontiguous Protected Areas. The measure ofsuccess of the project will be independentlyassessed by Conservation International andthe Cambodian Turtle Conservation Team,who will monitor key sites through systematictrapping and mark-recapture studies.It is also our long-term aim that theenvironmental education activities andtraining provided to Cambodian turtleconservationists by this project will be recycledand put to use in other key conservation sitesacross Cambodia.Hieremys annandalii is a focal species for theproject; this specimen was caught by our surveyteam in flooded forest.34 August 2007 turtle survival alliance turtle survival alliance August 200735

Conservation Funding in ActionConservation Funding in ActionTSA SEED GRANT- PHILLIPPINE FOREST TURTLEThe Philippine Forest Turtle Project: AModel TSA Seed Grant ProgramPierre FidenciThe Philippine Forest Turtle (Heosemysleytensis) is one of the most endangeredfreshwater turtles of the world and is endemicto Palawan and Dumaran Islands in southernPhilippines. The Philippine Forest Turtleproject started in 2006, however most ourresearch and conservation activities began inJanuary 2007. Throughout our project, we areassessing the distribution, habitat use, naturalhistory, and threats to the Philippines ForestTurtle in southern Palawan Island. We arealso organizing educational programs to raiseawareness among local communities and tostrengthen capacity of students from PalawanState University in conjunction with our fieldexpeditions. Palawan is a large island thatrepresents one of the most pristine, unexploredregions of the Philippines, and is a “hot spot”of biodiversity. Rampant illegal trade andPierre Fidencihabitat alteration could lead to the extinctionof the Philippine Forest Turtle. At present, wehave completed in-depth interviews and manyfield surveys for the Philippine Forest Turtle.Now, we are starting comprehensive surveyswhere we have accumulated the most reliableinformation that the Philippine Forest Turtlecould still be found.The Philippine Forest Turtle is known inthe northern part of Palawan from themunicipality of Peurto Princesa to El Nido inthe north. However, its presence in the southhas never been confirmed and remains amystery despite a few unverified reports. Oursurveys and conservation activities occurredin southern Palawan from the municipalityof Nara (northern part) to the municipalitiesof Rizal and Bataraza (southern tip). Thehard topography, weather conditions, access,and endemic diseases make turtle researcha true adventure in this part of the world.Our team, composed mostly of young localconservationists and indigenous people, hasexplored the most unknown parts of southernPalawan from the municipality of Nara all theway south to Rizal and Bataraza. We also haveextensively surveyed Balabac Island, a smallerisland with a low population density.Balabac Island is located in the extremesouthwestern Philippines, about 35 km southof Palawan Island, and about 70 km north ofBorneo. For its size (36 km long and 12 kmwide), Balabac has an incredible biodiversitywith various types of natural habitats rangingfrom pristine rainforest with elevation up to576 meters, wetlands, mangroves, and coralreefs. The island is home of an endemic andendangered wildlife such as the Philippinemouse deer, the world’s smallest ungulate.Never before surveyed for turtles, Balabacremains an island of harsh terrain andunexpected discoveries. Beside its remoteness,safety remains the main reason why mostscientists have been pushed back from theisland. Moving through the island has neverbeen easy. Dirt roads are rare, and most of theexploration is on foot. We interviewed morethan 300 people in Balabac ranging in agefrom 10 to 75 years old. The majority werefrom the Molbog indigenous tribe, otherrespondents were farmers, fishermen, hunters,officials, and students. We explored the entireisland except the north east where it was unsafeto adventure even for locals. ThroughoutBalabac, only four elders responded witha fairly high confidence of encountering aturtle with a yellowish line or band around itsneck, probably H. leytensis, more than threeyears ago. Intensive night surveys were thenconducted at various locations of the island.Despite prolonged effort and the presenceof potential aquatic and upland habitats, wedid not detect the Philippine Forest Turtle inBalabac. We encountered numerous AsianLeaf Turtles (Cyclemys dentata), and MalayanBox Turtles (Cuora anboinensis), both adultsand juveniles. The past unverified “reports”of probable occurrence of the Cantor’s GiantSoftshell Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) werenegative. The absence of the Cantor’s GiantSoftshell Turtle is probably not that surprisingsince large water systems are practically nonexistentin Balabac. We did not encounter theMaylasian Softshell Turtle (Dogania subplana)despite the presence of suitable forested creekssuch as the ones where we observed this turtlein southern Palawan. As far as the PhilippineForest Turtle, our searches were also negative.We had some hope to find the PhilippineForest Turtle in Balabac since numerouscreeks are wrapped by primary and secondaryforest. We would have been very happy tofind it in Balabac since the latter offers goodconservation opportunities such as low turtlehunting because of religious belief, presenceof primary forest, and low human density.Furthermore, the local authorities were verysupportive of our conservation work, whichwas very encouraging for future activities.As far as southern Palawan, we are stillconducting surveys and conservationawareness activities. We have not detected anyPhilippine Forest Turtles in areas where wethought we would, based upon illegal tradingdata and local interviews. The PhilippineForest Turtle was for most part observed bylocals for the last time more than three yearsago. During that time the Philippine ForestTurtle was traded heavily. While our teamexplored mostly the lowland areas (below300 meters), I ventured into very remoteareas by spending as much time as possiblewith indigenous people who understandnature best. One interesting finding wasthat the Philippine Forest Turtle appears tobe unknown by the Tao’t-Bato indigenouspeople, meaning that this turtle has probablynever occurred above 300 meters from sealevel. The Tao’t-Bato, which means “peopleof the rock,” usually live in cave-homes atleast during the rainy season of south-westPalawan, in the high valley and mountain ofSingnapan. The higher mountain areas arecovered in primary forest but the valleys aremostly secondary forest with a few patches ofprimary forest that are considered sacred.Overall, the Philippine Forest Turtle appearsto be extremely rare in southern Palawan.Deforestation, past intensive illegal tradingactivity, lack of numerous suitable aquaticand upland habitats, and other unknowncauses could explain why the PhilippineForest Turtle is so difficult to find in the wild.During May and June, we had to temporarilystop our field activities due to fierce fightingover the elections! However, we will resumeour comprehensive surveys in July and Augustand hope to discover populations of thisindeed very rare and endemic turtle. Findingwild populations of the Philippine ForestTurtle in southern Palawan is a challengeand additional discoveries in this part of theisland would provide better conservationopportunities for this endangered turtle.AcknowledgmentsI thank the following organizations:Endangered Species International (ESI), TurtleConservation Fund (TCF), BP ConservationProgramme, Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)with Batchelor Foundation funding, BritishChelonia Group (BCG), Sophie DanforthConservation Biology Fund, Soptom, PalawanState University (PSU), Palawan Council ofSustainable Development (PCSD). I am alsovery grateful to the following individuals:Dr. Teresita L. Salva (PSU President), Dr.Michael Pido (PSU), Dr. Lorna Gelito (PSU),Reymar Castillo (PSU), Maria Rosefa Lanuzo(ESI), Andreas Rytz (ESI), Marianne Carter(BP Conservation Programme), Kate Stokes(BP Conservation Programme), RobynDalzen (Bp Conservation Programme), LynnDuda (Wildlife Conservation Society), thePalaw’ans, Tegbuanas, Molbogs, and all theteam members from Palawan.Above photos: The local turtle team in Palawanconducting surveys and conservation activitiesfor the Philippine Forest Turtle.Distribution of posters and calendars onthe Philippine Forest Turtle to the localcommunities.Small cards distributed to locals to learn how to identify the Philippine Forest Turtle from othernative turtle species.Andreas RytzPierre FidenciPierre FidenciPierre Fidenci36 August 2007 turtle survival alliance turtle survival alliance August 200737

Conservation Funding in ActionConservation Funding in ActionTURTLE CONSERVATION FUND: A FIVE YEAR HISTORYBATCHELOR FOUNDATION: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2005-2007TCF: A Five Year HistoryHugh Quinn and Anders RhodinTurtle Conservation Fund Co-ChairsThe Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF) isa strategizing and granting agency thatwas formed in May 2002 from a need tohelp curb the growing global turtle crisis. Apartnership of Conservation International’sCenter for Applied Biodiversity Science (CI/CABS), The World Conservation Union/Species Survival Commission/ Tortoise andFreshwater Specialist Group (IUCN/SSC/TFTSG) and the Turtle Survival Alliance(TSA), the TCF mission is to assure that notortoise or freshwater turtle species becomesextinct, and that sustainable populations of allspecies persist in the wild.A turtle conservation action plan was preparedto provide a directional basis to implementthe mission. Examples of activities includedin the plan are support for ex situ captivebreeding and management programs bothin-range and out-of-range, in situ protectionand management of natural populations,field-based conservation biology and appliedresearch, field and trade surveys, threatenedstatus and regulatory needs determinations,protected areas evaluations and development,and capacity building. A list of the “Top25 Turtles on Death Row” provided furtherdirection to TCF’s endeavors.Several sources of funds were secured toimplement this plan. Since inception,TCF has received 84 grant requests forturtle conservation funding. Total projectsupport requested for these 84 proposals was$1,588,360, of which $543,273 was requestedspecifically as support from TCF. Of theseproposals, TCF funded 29 critically importantturtle conservation projects for a total GrantsProgram disbursement of $111,974. Theaverage annual disbursement over 4 years hasbeen $29,993, which represents 7.6% of thetotal grant support requested, and 20.6%of the grant support requested specificallyfrom TCF. Awards have averaged $3,861and ranged from $1,000 to $6,000, andwere provided to projects conducted in (orconcerning) 26 different nations: Philippines,Cambodia, Colombia, India, Indonesia,Germany, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria,Egypt, Malaysia, Brazil, Vietnam, Mexico,Myanmar, Bolivia, Guatemala, Bangladesh,Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Puerto Rico,Haiti, Dominican Republic, and China.A few examples of results from fundedprojects include: providing key informationto communities along the upper MagdalenaRiver in Columbia about the plight andconservation needs of its endangeredMagdalena River Turtle (Podocnemis lewyana);documentation of illegal trade of the criticallyendangered Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle(Chelodina mccordi); head-starting and releaseof the critically endangered River Terrapin(Batagur baska) in Malaysia; development ofcommunity-based conservation programs forthe endangered Egyptian Tortoise (Testudokleinmanni); formation of a turtle conservationfacility at the Münster Zoo, Germany; andgaining a better understanding of the ecology,distribution, and conservation needs of thepoorly known, critically endangered PhilippinePond Turtle (Heosemys leytensis).Building on the successes and challengesof the past, TCF will enhance its future by1) more proactively soliciting proposals; 2)focusing its limited resources more on projectsthat enhance the survival of only the mostcritically endangered species; 3) seeking morefunding sources while retaining existing ones,and striving for higher contribution levels;4) critically reviewing its five-year-old actionplan and list of target species; 5) seeking tocoordinate turtle conservation efforts furtherwith other organizations; and 6) formallyevaluating its progress in fulfilling its mission.By addressing these issues, TCF can moreeffectively meet the challenge of making alasting difference in turtle conservation effortsworldwide.Visit: www.TurtleConservationFund.org tolearn more.The Magdalena River Turtle (Podocnemislewyana) has been the subject of several TCFfunded projects designed to provide a greaterunderstanding of the biology of this poorlyknown species.This Philippine Forest Turtle was encounteredalong a small creek in Palawan.Some of the early field work on the PhilippineForest Turtle (Heosemys leytensis) wasprovided by the TCF.Pierre FidenciBatchelor Foundation funding for theTSA: Executive Summary, 2005 – 2007Rick HudsonThe 2005 Batchelor Foundation grantprovided TSA with $100,000 insupport for turtle conservation projectsand programs in eight Asian countries plusMexico. Furthermore, the grant providedcritical assistance to over half (10) of the 18Asian chelonian species ranked CriticallyEndangered (CR) by the IUCN Red List.One of the fortuitous impacts of the grantwas the additional money that TSA leveragedthrough matching funds and partnerships.Nearly $30,000 in outside funds werecontributed toward facility constructionin Myanmar, India, and Cambodia fromthree organizations including the WildlifeConservation Society (WCS), BritishChelonia Group (BCG) and the EuropeanAquarium and Zoo Association (EAZA)Shellshock Campaign. The grant alsostrategically positioned the TSA in three of thetop five most important countries for turtleconservation in Asia – Myanmar, Vietnamand India. Support for existing programsin those countries, such as the Cuc PhuongTurtle Conservation Center in Vietnam,the Burmese Roofed Turtle program atYadanobon Zoo in Mandalay and the IndianTurtle Conservation Program with the MadrasCrocodile Bank Trust, has tremendouslyexpanded the scope of these efforts. Notablythe Batchelor Foundation-funded workshopin India produced the Conservation ActionPlan for Endangered Freshwater Turtles andTortoises of India, published in 2006 andnow being implemented on numerous frontsthroughout that country. Our support forKUSTEM University’s (Malaysia Collegeof Science and Technology) River Terrapinresearch program in Malaysia, and theSiamese Narrow-headed Softshell breedingprogram at the Kanchanaburi Inland FisheriesDevelopment Center in Thailand have bothgenerated credible and useful scientific datawith direct management implications. Alsoimportant has been the provision of startup funding through seed grants to projectsin the Philippines, Brazil and Bangladesh,all impacting critically endangered turtlespecies.Likewise, the 2007 Batchelor Foundationproposal, if successful, will produce substantialand far-reaching impacts. Additionalfunding will increase our level of involvementin India, Myanmar and Vietnam, andextend our involvement in the single mostimportant country for turtle conservationin Asia - China. There our efforts will bedirected towards the recovery of the YangtzeGiant Softshell Turtle, a species with thedual distinction as being the world’s largestand most endangered freshwater turtle. Our2007 program will also move the TSA intoMadagascar, a hotspot of tortoise diversity andendemism, with six taxa all facing imminentthreats. Our immediate focus there will bethe protection of the Ploughshare Tortoise,ranked critically endangered the IUCN RedList. We will also expand our program inMexico for the critically endangered CentralAmerican River Turtle, with emphasis onthe development of a sustainable modelfor farming this heavily exploited species.Another new component for the 2007program includes North American effortsto improve museum facilities for the highlyendangered Yellow-blotched Map Turtle inMississippi with an eye towards developinga prototypic solar-powered hatchling rearingtank that can be exported to our range countyprograms that lack electricity. Funds were alsoearmarked to monitor a recently reintroducedpopulation of Alligator Snapping Turtles inOklahoma, which will provide important newinformation on the behavior and survival ofthis species in a novel environment. Finally,the 2007 Batchelor Foundation funds willmobilize a significant amount of matchingfunds. With a generous offer of $125,000for turtle conservation work in Myanmarand Madagascar on the table (WCS donor),dependent on securing a 1:1 match, this grantwill leverage an additional $30,600 for workin those two vitally important countries.Funds allocated ($15,000) for the much-heralded and highly successful VietnambasedAsian Turtle Program will match equalcontributions from the Cleveland MetroparksZoo and the Wade Foundation. We hopeto be able to announce this next round offunding in August 2007.38 August 2007 turtle survival alliance turtle survival alliance August 200739

Scholarship ProgramsSignificant Breedings2007 ASIAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMWilliam Espenshade, DirectorAsian Scholarship Program for in-situ Chelonian ConservationFEIYAN ZHANG is the 2007 Asian Scholarship Program for in situ Chelonian Conservation (ASPin-situCC.org) program participant. Sheworks at the Chelonian Garden at Huidong Gangkou, Sea Turtle National Reserve Management Bureau in Guangdong Province of China,also known as Sea Turtle Bay.Chris Tabaka reports several significant breedings including anAfrican Hingeback Tortoise (Kinixys belliana belliana). Three eggswere laid on 5 December 2005 weighing 28 – 32 grams each; onehatchling pipped on 18 July 2006 after 223 days of incubation andweighed 13.3 grams with a large yolk sac.FeiYan recently completed a four-year degree at Guangdong University in Agriculture, and when she returns to China this fall, she will enteran MSc program in molecular biology. Part of her undergraduate work involved surveying the turtle farms in her home province; some farmcomplexes are 4,000 hectares in size, and others are intensely managed roof top ponds.FeiYan is a very committed and enthusiastic ASP participant. Her dedication and interest in chelonian conservation comes from a lifelongpassion. For people like FeiYan, with the continued support of the Turtle Survival Alliance, the Wetlands Institute, and several chapters of theCalifornian Turtle and Tortoise Club, chelonian conservation becomes a tenable goal.Chris TabakaChris also hatched his fifth southern Vietnamese Box Turtle (Cuorapicturata) after getting one or two hatchlings a year for the last fouryears. This egg was laid on 27 March 2006 and weighed 26.6 grams;the hatchling emerged on 18 July after a 111-day incubation periodand weighed 16.1 grams. Chris reports that he has had the best successincubating in a sphagnum/vermiculite mix in one of his warm turtlerooms with variable temperatures and humidity. He experienced anumber of late embryonic deaths using a standard set temperatureincubator. Clutch size is one to two eggs, and his breeding groups layone to two clutches per year.Chris TabakaThe San Diego Zoo successfully reproduced three species of Asianturtles in the first half of 2007. Roti Island Snake-necked Turtles(Chelodina mccordi) produced a clutch of 13 eggs on 20 January. Aftera 97-day incubation at 30° C the eggs began to hatch and six youngemerged from this clutch. Another clutch of five eggs was laid on 3March and is still incubating.Don Boyer40 August 2007 turtle survival alliance turtle survival alliance August 200741

Significant BreedingsSignificant BreedingsThe San Diego Zoo also had its first reproduction of Malaysian GiantRiver Turtles (Orlitia borneensis) with a clutch of nine eggs laid on 25January (photo). These began to hatch after an incubation period of113 days at 30° C.Don Boyerchris tabakaBen Forrest reports on a successful captive breeding program for theForsten’s Tortoise (Indotestudo forsteni). His breeding group of 6.7adults are maintained separately, and all hatchlings have been producedby one pair. He has maintained them as pairs, but due to aggression, hefeels that group situations are too stressful. Nesting has been recordedevery month except October, and there is no defined nesting periodunder captive conditions. Nesting seems to occur every four to eightweeks, with one to two eggs per clutch. He incubates on a shelf inhis turtle room, on a moist vermiculite medium, at temps rangingbetween 25.6-29.4° C, for roughly four months. Nine hatchlingshave been produced since 2005, three so far in 2007 with more fertileeggs incubating. He feels that they need time to settle into captivityand that the keys to success are stable temps and an abundance offood. 80% of their diet consists of soft fruits and vegetables (steamedcarrot, sweet potato, and pumpkin) and mushrooms; the remainder isgreens and some, meat, preferably shrimp.The Fort Worth Zoo reports their first hatching of Pan’s Box Turtle(Cuora pani) in 2006. Eggs were laid on 19 Jun and hatched on 21 -23 August. The two hatchlings measured 33.4 mm and 32.1mm SCLand weighed 13.3g and 11.4g. The Zoo maintains a breeding groupof 2.3 adults that were acquired in 1997 and 1998. Infertile eggswere first produced in 2002 and fertile eggs were laid in 2003 andin subsequent years; however, all went full term and died in the eggdespite employing an array of incubation temperatures and media.Matt vaughanRico WalderA Beal’s Four-eyed Turtle (Sacalia bealei) hatched at the TennesseeAquarium in Chattanooga on 9 June 2007 after a 59-day incubationperiod. The Beal’s Four-eyed Turtle was once common throughoutsouthern China but has seen significant declines in its population inrecent years. The species is currently maintained by only three NorthAmerican zoos and aquariums and is listed as Endangered by the IUCNRed List. This hatching may represent the first successful reproductionof this species in a North American public institution. The clutch ofthree eggs was deposited from 11 – 14 April 2007. Only one egg wasdetermined to be fertile. The egg was partially buried in and incubatedon moist vermiculite at 28.3° C. The incubation period lasted 59 daysand the hatchling weighed 6 grams upon emergence.Bill Ninesling reports the first U.S. captive breeding of MangroveTerrapins (Batagur baska) outside of a Zoo (photo). Only one U.S.facility – Bronx Zoo – had previously experienced breeding successwith this species but not in recent years. To encourage reproductionthis group was moved to south Florida where they could bemaintained outside under more natural conditions with sunlight. Tostimulate breeding the water temp was raised to 30° C plus. On24 December the smaller female from the group of 4.2 hauled outon the bank and laid 20 eggs. Eggs were incubated at 30.5° C, butonly two were fertile, both of which hatched 69 days later. Bothjuveniles are growing rapidly on a diet of blood worms, fish, fruits,and vegetables. A Malaysian Giant River Turtle (Orlitia borneensis)also hatched during this time frame, the adults coming from the 2001Kadoorie – TSA turtle rescue.Bill Nineslingandy kaukeinenAndy Kaukeinen reports that Zoo Atlanta hatched their third ArakanForest Turtle (Heosemys depressa). An adult pair, on loan from ScottDavis, first reproduced at Atlanta in 2005 when a single hatchlingemerged on 8 April from a clutch of four eggs laid 16 November2004; incubation was at 28.8° C. A second clutch of four eggs wasdeposited on 1 January 2006 and two hatched on 1 May, after 120days of incubation. Unfortunately, both hatchlings developed yolkperitonitis and succumbed within a month of hatching. Poor hatchingsuccess was attributed to a Hovabator incubator that maintained lowhumidity and fluctuating temperatures. Using improved incubationtechniques, a clutch of two eggs laid on 20 December 2006 hatchedon 25 April and 2 May 2007. Eggs were set on vermiculite at a 1:1ratio with water, and incubated at 29.4° C, at a steady 70% humidity.Both hatchlings are reported to be vigorous and healthy. In total, threehatchlings currently survive from five hatched over a three year period.42 August 2007 turtle survival alliance turtle survival alliance August 200743

Thank you for your support!International Reptile Conservation Foundation, Inc. 3010 Magnum Drive, San Jose, CA 95135 Tel 877-472-3674The TSA gratefully acknowledges the following supporters for their generous contributions of $200 or moreduring the July 2006 to June 2007 time frame.Brett and Nancy Stearns, Beneficia Foundation, California Turtle and Tortoise Club (CTTC) – Too Slo Chapter, CTTC – Turtle and TortoiseCare Society, Central Illinois Herp Society, Cleveland AAZK Chapter, Columbus Zoo, Conservation International, Dallas Zoo, DenverZoo, Detroit Zoological Institute, Fort Worth Zoo, Jack Cato, Los Angeles Zoo, Lombardino Family Fund, Matt Frankel, Ocean ParkConservation Foundation in Hong Kong, Orlando Diaz, San Antonio Zoo, Walter Sedgwick, David Shapiro, Taste of Thai Foods, Ron andMarilyn Tremper, Woodland Park Zoo, and ZooMed, Inc.2007 TSA Conference SupportThe TSA joint annual Turtle and Tortoise Symposium has grown tremendously in scope and attendance, and is now an international event,widely recognized as THE tortoise and freshwater turtle meeting to attend. Likewise, the planning and execution have become a rigorous andtime consuming process that demands the hard work and commitment of a growing number of individuals and organizations. We are gratefulto those that who dedicated so much of their time and energy to making this Symposium possible. First to our sponsor Zoo Atlanta, we wantto recognize the work of Dwight Lawson and Julia Knox for handling the logistics of getting this conference established. Ron Determan andEllen Martin of the Atlanta Botanic Garden are also to be commended.Several individuals in particular deserve special mention: Lonnie McCaskill (Conference chairman), Chuck Schaffer (Conference Programchairman), Julia Knox (Zoo Atlanta) and Heather Lowe (Fort Worth Zoo) all have gone above and beyond to make this event a success. Bothtook on demanding duties and performed them effectively, exceeding the level of efficiency that we have grown to expect. Rose Tremblay andher team from Disney organized the TSA merchandise booth and handled all the TSA auction details; both of these are major fundraisers forus and we count on their expert support.Donors and sponsors for the 2007 TSA joint annual Turtle and Tortoise Symposium include ZooMed, Inc, Reptiles magazine, Eric Goode,Nancy and Brett Stearns, Matt Frankel, CTTC – Turtle and Tortoise Care Society, and the BBQ Boys – Greg George, Dave Manser and JayAllen.We owe a special debt of gratitude to a dedicated group of volunteers whose time and commitment mean so much to TSA’s continue success:Darrell Senneke (web site and communications), Bill Ninesling (animal management), Annabel Ross (records and permits), Heather Lowe(memberships), Sandy Binns (web site ), John Binns (newsletter), AJ Gutman (newsletter review), Joel Friesch (T-shirt artwork), ECO WEAR(T-shirt manufacturer), Rose Tremblay (conference support), and the many veterinarians who give tirelessly to care for TSA turtles. Specialthanks are extended to the Fort Worth Zoo for their generous institutional support, and for allowing staff members the time to pursue TSAactivities.The TSA was founded on partnerships and today those collaborations represent our core strength. The following is a list ofsome of the strategic partnerships that have contributed to the success of the TSA in the past year:Kadoorie Farm & BotanicAsian Turtle Conservation NetworkGardenCalifornia Turtle & Tortoise ClubMadras Crocodile Bank TrustChelonia EnterprisesPetraworks, Inc.Chelonian Research FoundationPurina Mills / MazuriChelonian Research InstituteReptiles MagazineCleveland Metroparks ZooSavannah River Ecology LabConservation InternationalTaste of Thai FoodsCuc Phuong Turtle Conservation & Ecology ProgramWildlife Conservation SocietyDisney’s Animal KingdomWorld Chelonian TrustFort Worth ZooZeigler and Zeigler, Inc.International Reptile Conservation FoundationZoo AtlantaJohn L. Behler Chelonian Conservation CenterZoological Society of San DiegoZooMed, Inc.Membership four issues/year. dues: Domestic $25 International $55An indispensable herpetologicalreference: Articles, Features,Husbandry, Historical Perspectives,Natural History, & more. Publishedquarterly. The journal is availablewith your membership. Join todayand help support our mission toconserve reptiles and the naturalhabitats and ecosystems that supportthem.www.IRCF.org /membership.html44 August 2007 turtle survival alliance turtle survival alliance August 200745

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Turtle Survival AllianceTransforming passion for turtles into effective conservation actionthrough a global network of living collections and recovery programs.For membership information, or to contact the TSA please visit: www.TurtleSurvival.orgOr send your coorspondence to: Turtle Survival Alliance 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth TX 76110Publication Supported by:48