Turtle Survival

RANGE COUNTRY UPDATE
BELIZE
A Hicatee hatchling pictured at one week old. PHOTO CREDIT: HEATHER BARRETT
Hicatee Conservation
and Research
Center Produces
Its First Hatchlings
Heather Barrett
The Hicatee Conservation and Research Center
(HCRC) has seen a lot of activity over the past
year, with expanded infrastructure, the hiring
of a full-time staff member, and the addition of
22 Central American River Turtles (Dermatemys
mawii). The center’s primary mission is to protect
and restore D. mawii, locally known as the
Hicatee, the lone surviving representative of the
family Dermatemydidae.
Based out of the Belize Foundation for Research
and Environmental Education (BFREE)
field station in southern Belize, the HCRC facility
is designed for the captive breeding of the species,
and has already experienced spectacular
and surprising success with the arrival of seven
healthy new Hicatee hatchlings!
NEW RESIDENTS, NEW MANAGEMENT
After the introduction of 22 Hicatee into one
of the breeding ponds during the spring of 2014,
it was clear that a full-time staff member was
needed to oversee the new residents. HCRC’s
new Facility Manager, Thomas Pop, was hired
based on extensive, firsthand experience with
the Hicatee while working with Dr. Thomas
Rainwater on TSA’s countrywide survey in 2010.
Tom has also worked on various BFREE research
projects, including Harpy eagles, jaguars, and
sedges. Under the guidance of BFREE Executive
Director Jacob Marlin, he quickly adapted to the
vital role of Hicatee turtle feedings and observations,
while also expertly maintaining the facility,
grounds and equipment.
Soon after assuming his new role at HCRC,
Tom raised the water level of the breeding pond
in an attempt to replicate natural river conditions
during flooding in order to stimulate egg laying.
A few days later, on 5 December 2014, eight eggs
were found buried in the soil at the pond’s edge.
The unanticipated clutch, so quickly following
the turtles’ placement in captivity, now required
an equally quick plan of action.
After consultation with experts, the eggs
were removed from the nest and placed in artificial
incubation chambers in a stable and secure
indoor environment. The clutch was divided
into two groups with different humidity levels.
Because no incubator was available, the ambient
temperature determined the incubation temperature.
Of the eight eggs, one was infertile, while
the other seven quickly banded and then stopped.
We had no idea if they were in diapause or if they
had died, so were both thrilled and relieved on
14 June when the first of seven Hicatee turtles
pipped and hatched.
Growing quickly and eating voraciously, the
hatchlings have more than doubled their birth
weight in the first three months of life. They are
currently in the process of being moved from
temporary setups to a custom-made 6’x4’x18”
enclosure at the HCRC, where they will spend
the next year under close observation.
FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
The HCRC, with the help of Belize Aquaculture
Limited (BAL Shrimp), has undergone
additional facility improvements to better support
its residents and associated research. Leaks
in the second pond were identified and repaired,
ultimately allowing for the opening of two fully
functioning turtle ponds. Nesting areas were
created and continue to be modified based on information
learned from local sources and derived
from the deposit location of the first clutch. Additionally,
a new processing station was built in
order to collect routine data and perform regular
health checks on the Hicatee. The repair and introduction
of the second pond allowed the turtles
to be divided into two groups – one consisting
of two adult males and ten reproductive size females,
and the other consisting of one adult male
and nine sub-adult females of varying sizes.
december 2015 36 turtle survival