Turtle Survival

Adult male Northern River Terrapins basking at the Sanjekhali Centre. TSA and West Bengal Forest Department initiated a recovery program for this critically endangered species
in 2012. PHOTO CREDIT: JAYANTA BASU
the Sarju River. Five species of aquatic turtles
were captured at each site, but only four species
were common to both sites. The Indian Softshell
Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica) was only captured
at Katra Ghat, while the Indian Flapshell Turtle
(Lissemys punctata) was only captured downstream,
near Paska. The Crowned River Turtle
(H. thurjii) comprised 82% of all captures at Khatra
Ghat, and this site most likely represents the
largest population of the species in the world.
We’ve made some headway in mitigating
threats in the Terai region through awareness
and outreach events, and unearthed some baseline
information on the status and reproductive
biology of H. thurjii. We aim to systematically
reform those involved in unsustainable activities;
such as the clandestine trapping of large Hardella
females, the use of illegal fishing gear, and riverside
agriculture, by providing local residents
with the necessary infrastructure and know-how
towards adopting sustainable alternatives.
These juvenile Northern River Terrapins have been fitted with sonic transmitters and will be released in winter 2016
as part of a pilot reintroduction program. PHOTO CREDIT: SHAILENDRA SINGH
BATAGUR CONSERVATION PROGRAM IN CHAMBAL
AND UPPER GANGA
The Batagur Conservation Program maintains
a continuing nest protection program
for the Red-crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur
kachuga) and Three Striped Roofed Turtle, (B.
dhongoka). This year, three makeshift riverside
hatcheries, set up along the upper, middle, and
lower stretches of the Chambal River at Baroli,
Raipur Khurd, and at Garha, faced the challenge
of an unexpected flood.
During late March there was an erratic release
of water – possibly due to untimely rain – from an
upstream dam. The release resulted in the inundation
of key nesting sites along our three hatcheries.
Fortunately, our team rescued all 81 nests
near Baroli. Thirty-one nests near Raipur Khurd,
which have been shifted to higher points on the
same sandbar, were also saved. A remaining 187
nests were moved into plastic containers as there
was no dry sand left on the Garha sand bar.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 23 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org