Turtle Survival Alliance

CONDUCT RESEARCH AND PROVIDE REPORTING ON THE DESERT TORTOISE (GOPHERUS AGASSIZII) AT MCB BARSTOW

THIS PROJECT AIMS TO HELP CONSERVE THE REMAINING POPULATIONS OF THIS SPECIES IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA. WILD POPULATIONS HAVE BEEN EXTIRPATED OR DEPLETED BY CONSUMPTION OF EGGS AND MEAT AND NESTING HABITAT DESTRUCTION FROM SAND MINING THROUGHOUT ITS REMAINING RANGE IN SOUTHERN THAILAND, CAMBODIA, AND PENINSULAR MALAYSIA. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: (1) COLLECTING AND RELOCATING 800 WILD RIVER TERRAPIN EGGS TO AN EX-SITU HATCHERY TO LOWER RISKS FROM PREDATION AND POACHING; (2) HEAD-STARTING 500 HATCHLINGS FOR REINTRODUCTION INTO THE WILD; (3) REDUCING ILLEGAL HARVESTING OF EGGS THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED MONITORING PROGRAMS ALONG THE KEMAMAN RIVER; (4) WORKING WITH LOCAL VILLAGERS TO REMOVE MORE THAN 500 KG OF DISCARDED AND ILLEGAL FISHING GEAR IN THE KEMAMAN RIVER; (5) COMPILING DATA ON POACHING AND ILLEGAL TRADE OF THIS SPECIES INTO A DOCUMENT TO PRESENT TO KEY AUTHORITIES TO INFORM EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION INTERVENTIONS; AND (6) DEVELOPING OUTREACH AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR TARGET AUDIENCES ON RIVER TERRAPIN HABITAT, THREATS AND PROTECTED STATUS, AS WELL AS SOLUTIONS NEEDED FOR RECOVERY.

BANGLADESH IS ONE OF THE MOST TURTLE RICH COUNTRIES IN SOUTH ASIA WITH OVER 25 RECORDED SPECIES. OF THOSE 25 SPECIES 21 ARE LISTED AS GLOBALLY THREATENED. SINCE 2015 TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE HAS BEEN SUPPORTING TURTLE CONSERVATION IN BANGLADESH. HERE WE PROPOSE EXPANDING CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF SIX HIGHLY THREATENED TORTOISE AND FRESHWATER TURTLE SPECIES IN BANGLADESH. THE SIX SPECIES ARE 1. ASIAN GIANT TORTOISE 2. ARAKAN FOREST TURTLE 3. ELONGATED TORTOISE 4. BLACK SOFTSHELL TURTLE 5. INDIAN NARROW HEADED SOFTSHELL TURTLE 6. CROWNED RIVER TURTLE. THE ALLIANCE UTILIZES A THREE PRONGED APPROACH TO TURTLE AND TORTOISE CONSERVATION 1. CONSERVATION BREEDING 2. REWILDING 3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THIS METHOD HAS PROVEN SUCCESSFUL IN RESTORING AND PROTECTING TURTLE AND TORTOISE POPULATIONS GLOBALLY. A CONSERVATION BREEDING FACILITY HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH THREE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED FOREST DWELLING SPECIES. REINTRODUCTION HAS BEEN INITIATED WITH ASIAN GIANT TORTOISES WITH 70 PERCENT SURVIVAL RATE OF THE FIRST COHORT OF REINTRODUCED TORTOISES. ZERO POACHING OF THE REINTRODUCED TORTOISES WAS ACHIEVED BY ENGAGING THE COMMUNITIES WITH CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE LIVELIHOOD INCENTIVES AND BY EMPLOYING FORMER HUNTERS AS PARABIOLOGISTS. THIS PROPOSAL WILL EXPAND ON AND CONTINUE OUR WORK FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THESE INCREDIBLE SOUTH ASIAN TURTLE SPECIES. THIS WORK IS CRITICAL TO THE SURVIVAL OF THESE SIX SPECIES IN BANGLADESH WHERE THEY WOULD CERTAINLY BE EXTIRPATED WITHOUT OUR CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION ACTIONS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO COLLECT FIELD DATA TO DETERMINE THE POPULATION STATUS OF TURTLE SPECIES THREATENED WITH TRAFFICKING FOR THE PET TRADE, AND TO ENGAGE AND BUILD THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL YOUTH IN TURTLE CONSERVATION AND MONITORING EFFORTS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: (1) IMPLEMENTING A SCHOLARSHIP- BASED TRAINING AND MONITORING PROGRAM WITH 24 MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TURTLE FIELD STUDIES; (2) MONITORING OF NINE SPECIES AT FIELD SITES TO ESTIMATE POPULATION SIZE; (3) ASSESSING THE POPULATION STATUS OF THE SPOTTED BOX TURTLE AND YUCATAN BOX TURTLE THROUGHOUT THEIR SPECIES RANGE IN MEXICO; AND (4) PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON THESE TURTLES NEAR EACH FIELD SITE.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES TO PROTECT THIS SPECIES FROM EXPLOITATION FOR CONSUMPTION BY LOCAL FISHERS AND FOR SALE THIS SPECIES WAS SUSPECTED TO BE EXTINCT IN THE WILD, BUT A POPULATION WAS REDISCOVERED ALONG THE WHITE NILE RIVER IN SOUTHERN SUDAN IN 2017, AND AGAIN IN A REMOTE AREA OF NORTHERN UGANDA IN AUGUST 2021. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: (1) CONDUCTING THREE, 10-DAY FIELD SURVEYS IN NORTHERN UGANDA TO DETERMINE ITS DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION SIZE; (2) CONSULTING WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO DETERMINE BEST PRACTICES FOR CONDUCTING AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES; (3) DEVELOPING OUTREACH MATERIALS IN COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES; AND (4) CONDUCTING AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS AND MEETINGS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS AND CITIZENS (INCLUDING YOUTH) TO ASSIST WITH ONGOING COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND AWARENESS FOR PROTECTION OF THIS SPECIES.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES TO RECOVER WILD POPULATIONS FROM THE THREAT OF EXPLOITATION FOR EGGS AND MEAT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: (1) MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF THE CAPTIVE BREEDING STOCK THROUGH OPTIMAL DIET AND POND MAINTENANCE TO MAXIMIZE REPRODUCTIVE OUTPUT; (2) CAPTURING 10 WILD RIVER TURTLES FOR COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF RELEASED HEAD-STARTED TURTLES; (3) RELEASING 40 HEAD-STARTED TURTLES AND 10 WILD-CAUGHT TURTLES WITH SONIC RADIO TAGS AT TWO SITES TO ASSESS RECRUITMENT SUCCESS OF HEAD-STARTED TURTLES; AND (4) IMPLEMENTING AN EXPANDED NATIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AND DISTRIBUTING AN EDUCATIONAL TOOLKIT FOR TEACHERS TO USE IN SCHOOLS

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO COUNTER THREATS OF HABITAT DEGRADATION AND FISHERIES BYCATCH AND ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF REMNANT POPULATIONS. THIS SPECIES IS THE MOST ENDANGERED TURTLE IN BRAZIL, WHERE IT IS ENDEMIC. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: (1) DEVELOPING A MANAGEMENT PLAN AND HABITAT RESTORATION PROGRAM FOR THE NINHO DA TARTARUGA RESERVE;(2) INITIATING A POPULATION MONITORING PROGRAM IN THE RESERVE; (3) CONSTRUCTING A NURSERY TO PROVIDE NATIVE PLANTS TO RESTORE STREAMBANK HABITAT FOR THIS SPECIES; (4) ESTABLISHING A HOOK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM WITH LOCAL FISHERS (FROM COMMON "J" HOOKS TO CIRCLE HOOKS WHICH ARE LESS DAMAGING TO ACCIDENTALLY CAPTURED TURTLES); AND (5) INITIATING SURVEYS IN AREAS NEAR THE RESERVE TO LOCATE OTHER POTENTIAL REMNANT POPULATIONS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO ADDRESS THE THREATS OF TRAFFICKING OF THIS SPECIES FOR THE PET TRADE AND BUSHMEAT. FORMERLY ONE OF THE MOST ABUNDANT TORTOISES IN THE WORLD WITH AN ESTIMATED 12 MILLION INDIVIDUALS, EXPLOITATION FOR THE PET TRADE HAS REDUCED THIS SPECIES BY MORE THAN HALF. CHRONIC THREATS FOR BUSHMEAT AND THE PET TRADE CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS SPECIES CLOSER TO EXTINCTION. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE (1) RECRUITING AND TRAINING LOCAL COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES FROM TWO DISTRICTS IN MONITORING ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE PROMPT AND ACCURATE REPORTING OF POACHING TO AUTHORITIES (2) PURCHASING COMMUNICATIONS AND MONITORING EQUIPMENT, LIKE PHONES AND MOTORCYCLES, TO FACILITATE RAPID ALERTS AND REPORTING TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND (3) OBTAINING LEGAL SUPPORT TO PURSUE AND ACCOMPANY POACHING CASES

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES FOR RECOVERY AND REESTABLISHMENT OF THESE POPULATIONS IN THE WILD. CURRENTLY, ONLY FRAGMENTED REMNANT POPULATIONS OF THIS SPECIES REMAIN IN THE WILD DUE TO HUNTING AND DEGRADED HABITAT FROM RAPID LAND USE CHANGE. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE (1) SURVEYING EXTANT POPULATIONS AND IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL RELEASE SITES IN NAGALAND, INDIA (2) IMPROVING EXISTING FACILITIES WHERE CAPTIVE COLONIES ARE MANAGED TO IMPROVE HATCHING SUCCESS OF EGGS (3) IMPLEMENTING BEHAVIORAL ENRICHMENT PRACTICES WITH CAPTIVE TORTOISES, LIKE INTRODUCING SENSORY OR FEEDING STIMULI, TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND POST RELEASE SURVIVORSHIP (4) CONDUCTING AWARENESS ACTIVITIES USING A COMMUNITY BASED PARTICIPATORY APPROACH NEAR POTENTIAL RELEASE SITES (5) TRAINING 10 YOUTH FROM INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES AS PARA BIOLOGISTS (6) CONSTRUCTING SOFT RELEASE PENS FOR PRE RELEASE CONDITIONING AND ACCLIMATION AND (7) RELEASING 10 TORTOISES INTO THE WILD IN BANGLADESH WITH RADIO TRANSMITTERS TO BE MONITORED BY PARA BIOLOGISTS.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES FOR RECOVERY AND EVENTUAL REESTABLISHMENT IN THE WILD. ONLY A SMALL REMNANT POPULATION OF THIS SPECIES EXISS IN THE WILD DUE TO EXPLOITATION FOR MEAT, WITH MOST OF THIS SPECIES RESIDING IN POORLY MANAGED TEMPLE POOLS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE (1) IMPROVING HUSBANDRY PRACTICES IN NAGSHANKA AND HAJOR TEMPLES, INDIA (2) DEVELOPING HATCHLING GROW OUT AREAS AT THE ASSAM ZOO AND UPGRADING FACILITIES AT THE NATURE DISCOVERY CENTER (3) TRANSLOCATING 10 NESTS FROM TEMPLES TO THE NATURE DISCOVERY CENTER AND ASSAM ZOO (4) RELEASING HALF OF THE HATCHLINGS TO SUITABLE RIVERINE HABITAT, REARING THE REMAINING HALF TO 500 GRAMS AND THEN RELEASING ALL BUT 50 WHICH WILL BE HELD IN ASSURANCE COLONIES IN INDIA (5 TRAINING MASTER TRAINERS AT TWO TEMPLES IN POND MAINTENANCE, BASIC MEDICAL AIDE, WATER QUALITY ANALYSES, AND HUSBANDRY PROCEDURES TO ASSIST AND EVENTUALLY HELP IMPROVE TEMPLE PONDS IN THE REGION AND (6) CREATING AWARENESS PROGRAMS AMONG TEMPLE DEVOTEES, FISHERS AND SCHOOLCHILDREN.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES TO REESTABLISH WILD POPULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DEPLETED OR EXTIRPATED DUE TO EXPLOITATION FOR EGGS AND MEAT AND NESTING HABITAT DEGRADATION. WITH ONLY AN ESTIMATED 20 RIVER TERRAPINS LEFT IN THE WILD THE SPECIES IS CONSIDERED FUNCTIONALLY EXTINCT IN THE WILD. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE (1) RELEASING 10 SUB ADULT HEAD STARTED RIVER TERRAPINS WITH SATELLITE TRANSMITTERS TO UNDERSTAND SURVIVAL AND DISPERSAL (2) MONITORING AND PROTECTING NESTS AT TWO KNOWN HISTORIC NESTING SITES (3) CONDUCTING AWARENESS WORKSHOPS WITH 100 FISHERS AND (4) IMPLEMENTING A NEST TURTLE BUY BACK PROGRAM TO PREVENT DEATH OR CONSUMPTION OF TURTLES THAT ARE ACCIDENTALLY CAUGHT AS BYCATCH.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES TO PROTECT THIS SPECIES FROM EXPLOITATION FOR EGGS AND MEAT. THIS SPECIES RANGE DISTRIBUTION HAS BEEN REDUCED BY 97 PERCENT AND IS NOW KNOWN TO RESIDE IN THE WILD IN A 600 KM STRETCH OF THE CHAMBAL RIVER WITH AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 500 FEMALES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE (1) OBTAINING 50 CAPTIVE REARED TURTLES FROM THE MADRAS CROCODILE BANK TRUST ASSURANCE COLONY FOR A PILOT REINTRODUCTION IN THE CHAMBAL RIVER (20 TURTLES) AND TO AUGMENT THREE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE INDIA CAPTIVE BREEDING COLONIES (30 TURTLES) (2) QUARANTINING TRANSFERRED TURTLES FOR 90 DAYS AND CONDUCTING HEALTH ASSESSMENTS AT THE TURTLE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE GARAITA FACILITY (3) CONDUCTING SURVEILLANCE AND NET REMOVAL ALONG A 25 KM STRETCH OF THE CHAMBAL RIVER PLANNED FOR REINTRODUCTION, AS WELL AS WORKING WITH FISHERS IN THIS STRETCH OF RIVER TO MINIMIZE NET DEPLOYMENT AND TURTLE CAPTURES (4) CONDUCTING COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND AWARENESS IN VILLAGES WITHIN THIS SAME STRETCH OF RIVER AND (5) RELEASING 20 TURTLES WITH SONIC TRACKING DEVICES TO ASSESS DISPERSAL AND SURVIVAL FOR PILOT REINTRODUCTION.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE THE CARE OF CONFISCATED TURTLES THAT ARE ILLEGALLY TRADED FOR MEAT, TRADITIONAL MEDICINE, AND THE PET TRADE TO INCREASE SURVIVORSHIP. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE (1) STRENGTHENING A RAPID RESPONSE TEAM FOR EFFICIENT ONSITE PRIMARY CARE AND TRIAGE OF CONFISCATED TURTLES (2) DEVELOPING A TEMPORARY HOLDING AREA FOR CONFISCATED TURTLES AT FOUR KEY LOCATIONS (3) TRANSLOCATING AND REHABILITATING INJURED OR MORIBUND TURTLES AT THE KUKRAIL GHARIAL AND TURTLE REHABILITATION CENTER (4) COLLABORATING WITH AUTHORITIES TO REPATRIATE ILLEGALLY TRADED AND CONFISCATED TURTLES AS APPROPRIATE (5) IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF GOVERNMENT PARTNERS IN SPECIES IDENTIFICATION, THE INDIAN WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT, AND PROCEDURES AND DATA MANAGEMENT OF SEIZURE CASES (6) TRAINING LOCAL VETERINARY, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PROFESSIONALS AND YOUTH IN TURTLE BIOLOGY, CARE, MANAGEMENT, PAIN RELIEF, AND REHYDRATION TECHNIQUES THAT CAN BE USED DURING TURTLE SEIZURES AND (7) DEVELOPING MATERIALS FOR TRAINING AND RESCUE OPERATIONS.