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

Turtles in Trouble: Top 25+ Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles—2011Sulawesi Forest TurtleLeucocephalon yuwonoi (McCord, Iverson, and Boeadi 1995); Family GeoemydidaeAsia: Indonesia (Sulawesi)IUCN Red List: CR, Critically Endangered A1cd+2cd, C1CITES: Appendix IIThis medium-sized (carapacelength up to 28 cm)semi-aquatic turtle endemicto the Indonesian island ofSulawesi was originally foundin Chinese food markets inrelatively high abundance inthe early 1990s. Frank Yuwono,after whom the speciesis named, obtained the firstspecimen known to sciencefrom a market in Gorontalo,Sulawesi. The species wasformally described to sciencein 1995, and was found to beso evolutionarily distinct thatit was reassigned to a newmonotypic genus in 2000.Males are easily distinguishedfrom females by theirpale white to cream-coloredheads, while females are moredarkly colored. While not much is known about the naturalhistory of this species, it is thought to spend the dayin the forest and only move to water after dark to feed,rest, and possibly mate. Females lay one, or occasionallytwo eggs, although multiple clutches in a year arepossible.Although it is a poorly known species, it is evidentthat habitat destruction from commercial logging, smallscaleagriculture, and clearing of forest for oil palmplantations has greatly reduced the forest cover that theturtle depends upon for its survival, and deforestationrates in Sulawesi are among the highest in the world.This habitat destruction, collection for the commercialmeat and pet markets, and its very low reproductive outputare cause for great concern. This species is thoughtDistribution of Leucocephalon yuwonoi.Leucocephalon yuwonoi from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photo by Cris Hagen.to occur in three protected areas, however, it has yet tobe confirmed in these localities. Population assessmentshave not been completed anywhere within its range. Despitethis, the Indonesian government has set unsustainableexport quotas, and these quotas have already beenexceeded on multiple occasions. This is in addition to anunknown number of animals that are being exported illegallyor due to inadequate species identification skillsof wildlife trade inspectors.Priorities for this species include field research intobasic natural history, including demography, habitatuse, diet, and reproduction, so that effective conservationmeasures can be developed. In addition, surveysthroughout the range are required, particularly in protectedareas. Habitat conservation, while necessary, willnot be sufficient to maintain this species, as so littleis known about its natural history. Ex-situ and in-situcaptive breeding programs are needed to supplementpopulations and act as assurance colonies. In-situ effortsshould focus on the parks and other protected areas, andcould be used as release points for captive raised young.However, thus far captive propagation has proven difficult,with only a few hatchlings being produced. A betterunderstanding of the species’ natural biology and increasedefforts by herpetoculturists and zoos will likelylead to successful captive management.– 36 –