Turtle Survival

Additionally, a survey determined occurrences
of the Red-footed Tortoise (C. carbonaria) in
remaining patches of dry forest, and found wild
populations in the states of Atlántico, Bolívar,
Cesar, and Guajira. This study, coupled with
results from genetics research being done for
this species, will generate recommendations for
protection sites across its range.
The team from WCS, TSA, Fundación Omacha, La Virgen and El Control communities at one of the protected
beaches for Podocnemis expansa on the Meta River. PHOTO CREDIT: TSA/WCS
Naturally emerged Podocnemis expansa hatchlings at the protected and monitored beaches. The net is used to count
the number of live hatchlings without manipulating the nest. PHOTO CREDIT: GERMAN FORERO
on developing urgently needed conservation
strategies.
A WCS/TSA program received support under
the initiative to study two dry forest chelonian
species: Dahl’s Toad Headed Turtle (Mesoclemmys
dahli), and the Red-footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis
carbonaria). Both species are considered
endangered, primarily due to the transformation
of dry forest habitat. The Red-footed Tortoise
(Chelonoidis carbonaria) is also being pressured
due to the pet trade. The project seeks to address
conservation genetics, and to evaluate remaining
populations in the field to identify opportuni-
ties for initiation of conservation programs at
particular sites.
The conservation genetics study for Mesoclemmys
dahli assessed genetic diversity and
structure throughout the species’ range, and
established whether there are different management
units based upon identified genetic structure
and major demographic parameters. We
obtained more than 120 blood and tissue samples
from M. dahli wild populations, and developed a
microsatellite library consisting of 23 polymorphic
loci. The genotyping of all individuals is
underway.
CONSERVATION OF THE MAGDALENA RIVER TURTLE
ON THE SINÚ RIVER
The Magdalena River Turtle (Podocnemis
lewyana) is a Critically Endangered species
endemic to the Magdalena and Sinú rivers in
Colombia. The two rivers are considered separate
management units, so require different conservation
actions. A community-based conservation
project, led by the towns of Caño Viejo and
Cotocá Arriba, was launched in 2005 to address
the needs of the Sinú River population.
In 2013, the program gained the support of
TSA and WCS with the goal of strengthening its
management, research and monitoring capabilities.
One of the main achievements of the partnership
was the creation of the first management
plan on the Sinú River. The plan details specific
conservation actions the program must follow in
order to reduce species threats.
This year, the local team continued with traditional
in situ and ex situ management actions to
reduce egg mortality due to flooding. Five artificial
nesting banks were built to increase nesting
site availability during times when natural beach
sites are submerged. Natural beaches were also
constantly patrolled to avoid poaching and to
rescue clutches prone to inundation.
The Caño Viejo community team patrolled six
beaches located between Lorica and San Nicolas
de Bari throughout the nesting season, while
collecting and incubating 101 clutches ex situ.
The Cotocá Arriba community team patrolled six
nesting beaches, three more than last year, and
collected 24 clutches. As in previous years, about
2000 P. lewyana hatchlings were successfully
released back into the river.
Contacts: German Forero-Medina, Turtle Survival Alliance,
Wildlife Conservation Society, Calle 2 # 42-23,
Cali, Colombia. gforero@wcs.org
Natalia Gallego, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera
Primera # 18A – 12, Bogota, Colombia.
Mario Vargas, Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg Dresden,
A. B. Meyer Building, D-01109 Dresden, Germany.
Acknowledgements: We kindly thank Fundación
Omacha, Ecopetrol, Fundación Mario Santo Domingo,
Wildlife Conservation Society, Universidad de Los Andes
and Senckenberg Museum for program funding and
support.
a publication of the turtle survival alliance 39 visit us online at www.turtlesurvival.org