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

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Turtles in Trouble: Top 25+ Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles—2011Other Top 40 Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles at Very High Risk of ExtinctionBurmese Narrow-headed Softshell TurtleChitra vandijki McCord and Pritchard 2003; Family TrionychidaeAsia: Myanmar, ThailandIUCN Red List: NE, Not Evaluated; TFTSG Draft: CR, Critically Endangered; CITES: Appendix II, as Chitra spp.After decades of uncertainty whether any Chitra softshellsoccurred in the Ayeyarwady river system of Myanmar,these turtles were finally confirmed in the 1990s and describedas a separate species in 2003, and in 2005 the species was confirmedto also inhabit the Salween River, including the stretchbordering Thailand. All indications from field surveys andmarket observations are that the species is rare to very rare,and intensively exploited. On top of this, dams and reservoirsare being built across many of the rivers, and more dams arebeing planned. Further status surveys and local nest protectioninitiatives, and possibly headstarting efforts, are desirable, butideally what is needed is the designation of the upper Chindwinor another one of Myanmar’s rivers as a protected Wildand Scenic River, where Chitra vandijki, other riverine turtlespecies, migratory fish, waterfowl and other biodiversity aresecured from exploitation and habitat degradation, while retainingthe downstream ecosystem benefits of access to cleanfreshwater and provision of food for rural communities.Chitra vandijki, Chindwin River, Myanmar. Photo by Win Ko Ko.Chinese Red-necked TurtleMauremys nigricans (Gray 1834); Family GeoemydidaeAsia: China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan [?]), Vietnam (?)IUCN Red List: EN, Endangered A1d+2d; TFTSG Draft: CR, Critically Endangered; CITES: Appendix III (China)This is an aquatic species with a black shell (length upto 28 cm) that inhabits hill streams in southern China at elevationsof 300–700 m in evergreen forests. Hatchlings havescarlet red plastra, and males develop intricate ivory markingson the head with vivid orange or red streaks on the throatand limbs. Remarkably, females construct nests with twoadjacent cavities. Wild populations appear to have crashedover the last few decades, and biologists in southern Chinahave not located wild animals for several years. The speciesis rare and attractive, thus in heavy demand and expensive inthe pet trade. Unlike many other Asian turtles, this species isnot widely consumed, nor was it historically reported as usedfor food or medicine, undoubtedly because of its strong muskodor. Recent ex-situ conservation measures for the species areoutlined in Taxon Management Plans by the Turtle SurvivalAlliance and the European Studbook Foundation.Mauremys nigricans from China. Photo by Cris Hagen.– 46 –
Turtles in Trouble: Top 25+ Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles—2011Other Top 40 Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles at Very High Risk of ExtinctionIndian Narrow-headed Softshell TurtleChitra indica (Gray 1830); Family TrionychidaeAsia: Bangladesh, India (Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh,West Bengal), Nepal, PakistanIUCN Red List: EN, Endangered A1cd+2cd; CITES: Appendix II, as Chitra spp.This large secretive softshell turtle can lay clutches ofmore than 200 eggs. However, this incredible reproductivepotential is not enough to counteract overfishing for consumptionof its flesh as well as widespread habitat destruction. Asa sit-and-wait predator, it is highly specialized to capture andswallow fast swimming fish in a single rocket-like lunge of itshead as it lays hidden beneath the sand in shallow rivers. As aspecies that is surprisingly delicate and difficult to maintain incaptivity, its conservation measures should focus most heavilyon reducing adult mortality and hatch-and-release programs.Currently the Turtle Survival Alliance is conducting conservationprograms for this species on the upper Ganges River withthe aid of former turtle poachers. Programs such as this willplay a crucial role in the recovery of this species in the wild.Chitra indica from India. Photo by Peter Praschag.Coahuilan Box TurtleTerrapene coahuila Schmidt and Owens 1944; Family EmydidaeNorth America: Mexico (Coahuila)IUCN Red List: EN, Endangered A2c+4c, B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2b(i,ii,iii,iv,v); CITES: Appendix IFound only in the northeastern Cuatro Ciénegas basinof Coahuila, Mexico, this restricted-range species ishighly aquatic and can be found in streams and temporarywater bodies of this high biodiversity region. Waterdiversion from man-made canals within the basin, andgroundwater exploitation by aquifers outside the basin,have lowered the water table and resulted in widespreadwetland habitat desiccation, placing the species at veryhigh risk of extinction. Due to its limited range and smallpopulation, this species is also particularly susceptible tochanges in global climate patterns. A management planimplementing local and regional regulation of water extractionaffecting the basin is critical for the protectionof the species. Currently there are several small breedinggroups within North American zoos, and repatriation tothe wild may at some point be recommended.Terrapene coahuila, Mexico. Photo by Jennifer G. Howeth.– 47 –
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