Turtles in Trouble: The World's 25+ Most Endangered - Wildlife ...

Turtles in Trouble: Top 25+ Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles—2011Madagascan Big-headed TurtleErymnochelys madagascariensis (Grandidier 1867); Family PodocnemididaeAfrica: MadagascarIUCN Red List: CR, Critically Endangered A4dCITES: Appendix IIThis evolutionarily distinctand biogeographically endemicfreshwater turtle is the onlyOld World representative of thefamily Podocnemididae (the remainingmembers of this familyoccur in South America). Asits common name suggests, thisspecies has a large head, whichin fully-grown adults showsa strong temporal helmet, orcasque. Its jaws are extremelypowerful with a slight hook attheir apex that may enhance itsability to feed on mollusks, fish,amphibians, and even birds;however, adults also commonlyeat seeds from trees and palmsas well as aquatic vegetation.Additionally, the eyes of thisspecies are situated forwardon the head; thus it needs onlyto extend a small portion of itshead above the water surface to observe potential prey,while the vast majority of its body remains submerged.The low flat profile and brown to slate-gray color of thecarapace makes this species look remarkably like a rock,additionally camouflaging it from potential prey and predators.This species was formerly widely distributed in westernMadagascar’s west-flowing rivers and floodplain lakes.However, its current distribution is extremely fragmenteddue to overexploitation. The species can be found in sevenprotected areas in Madagascar: Ankarafantsika, Baly Bay,and Bemaraha National Parks, and the new reserves of Manambolamaty,Ambondrobe, Menabe-Antimena, and Mahavavy-Kinkony.The réré, as the species is locally called,Distribution of Erymnochelys madagascariensis.Erymnochelys madagascariensis from Ankarafantsika, Madagascar. Photo by Anders G.J. Rhodin.is well known to the local people, as it is a large turtle, upto 50 cm carapace length and 17 kg; and due to its muchdesiredmeat, it is heavily collected for local and commercialconsumption. Increasing pressure from a dramaticallygrowing human population and changes in fishing habitstowards the use of nets, which results in substantial bycatchof this species, is having dramatic deleterious effectson its populations. In addition, locals also harvest eggs forconsumption, thereby reducing recruitment to the populations.In some areas, few adults remain, thus recruitment tothe population will be non-existent and the species’ survivalwill be dependent on the remaining juveniles survivinguntil adulthood.Survey data in the past three decades document an ongoingdecline of the species. Durrell Wildlife ConservationTrust and Conservation International, along with MadagascarNational Parks, have been involved in a program toprotect the species, reintroduce headstarted animals, andengage local communities at several sites in Madagascar.This conservation work has been closely integrated withinthe local culture and traditional conservation practices ofthe local communities, which has been a key to its success,with populations at Ankarafantsika as a result showingsome improvement in status. This program has alsoreceived support from the Turtle Conservation Fund, butneeds substantial increases in resources and intensity withan emphasis on reducing the harvest of adult animals.– 33 –