Literaturdatenbank
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Walder, R. (1997). Aza chelonian advisory group hispaniolan slider, trachemys decorata, conservation program. Proceedings: Conservation, Restoration, and Management of Tortoises and turtles - An International Conference.
Added by: Admin (17 Aug 2008 18:17:29 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Walder1997 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Chelonia, Cheloniidae, Emydidae, Habitat = habitat, Haltung = husbandry, Mittelamerika = Central America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Trachemys, Trachemys decorata Creators: Walder Collection: Proceedings: Conservation, Restoration, and Management of Tortoises and turtles - An International Conference |
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| Abstract |
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Captive Breeding Program The Trachemys decorata captive breeding program was developed under the umbrella of the AZA's Chelonian Advisory Group by a consortium of eight zoological institutions, Beardsley Zoological Gardens, Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo, Columbus Zoo, Institute for Herpetological Research, Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, Lowry Park Zoological Garden, Zoo Atlanta, and ZooDom (the National Zoo of the Dominican Republic). The breeding stock (founders) was collected in the southwestern region of the Dominican Republic in June 1991, as a cooperative effort between James Conyers of the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo and ZooDom staff. The project had a successful start the same year, and an informal studbook was maintained to effectively manage the captive population. José Ottenwalder (National Coordinator, GEF-UNDP Dominican Republic Biodiversity Project, United Nations Development Program) has coordinated both field and education aspects of the program in the Dominican Republic and has provided information on translocation, monitoring, and wild status. Translocation and Monitoring Under a cooperative research and conservation effort, a reintroduction program for captive-bred T. decorata is being implemented by ZooDom with the financial support of the Columbus Zoo. In addition, both the Toledo Zoo and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo have contributed a Trovan™ reader, 245 transponders, 3 radio transmitters, and funds to monitor the reintroduced turtles. The protocol and methodology for the translocation have been drafted. Turtles hatched in 1992 and 1993 were released in fall 1994. An additional 20 turtles produced by U.S. institutions will be returned for release in May 1997. Released turtles will be monitored for at least 6-10 years. The reintroduction site is located within the boundaries of the Jaragua National Park, southwestern Dominican Republic. Jaragua is the largest protected area (1,400 km²) in the Dominican Republic and the insular Caribbean. The specific site, known as Laguana de los Chupaderos, was selected in January 1993 based on previous field experience, remoteness, and existing protective infrastructure. In May 1993 the site was surveyed in anticipation of the release. During this visit, areas of the habitat utilized by young turtles in the lagoon were located; several adult females were captured, marked, and released; and park wardens were briefed on the project. Wild Status Despite their full legal protection and threatened status, the species is heavily exploited for food in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. While illegal hunting for commercialization and subsistence use take place throughout the year, most animals are taken during the nesting season, directly reducing the fraction of the population with the highest reproductive value. Captive Status Currently there are 18.24.107 captive T. decorata distributed among seven institutions and two private parties. Overall, the population looks very good, with a healthy founder population that probably has a minimal inbreeding coefficient (based on capture records and personal observation of their habitat by J. Conyers). A formal studbook was approved for the species in February 1995 by the AZA Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee. Approval was based primarily on the following factors: Habitat/range reduction is high. Captive status is good. Enthusiasm of cooperating institutions is high. Conditions of breeding/loan agreement for founders (30% of all hatchlings produced will be used for the reintroduction program).
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