Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
|
 |
|
Platt, S. G. (2006). A survey to determine the conservation status of endemic chelonians in northern sulawesi, indonesia Bronx, New York 10460-1099: Wildlife Conservation Society.
Added by: Admin (21 Nov 2009 12:00:03 UTC) |
| Resource type: Report/Documentation BibTeX citation key: Platt2006 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Cuora, Cuora amboinensis, Geoemydidae, Habitat = habitat, Indotestudo, Indotestudo forstenii, Leucocephalon, Leucocephalon yuwonoi, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Südostasien = South East Asia, Testudinidae Creators: Platt Publisher: Wildlife Conservation Society (Bronx, New York 10460-1099) |
Views: 3/675
Views index: 12% Popularity index: 3% |
| Abstract |
|
Three species of non-marine chelonians are known to occur in Sulawesi, including the widespread Malayan box turtle (Cuora amboinensis) and two endemic species, the Sulawesi tortoise (Indotestudo forstenii) and Sulawesi forest turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi). Very little is known regarding the current conservation status, distribution, or ecology of either Indotestudo forstenii or Leucocephalon yuwonoi in the wild. This is particularly alarming given that both species are being collected in large numbers to supply international pet markets, with lesser numbers channeled into food and medicinal markets. Indotestudo forstenii and L. yuwonoi are listed on Appendix I and II, respectively, of CITES and both are protected and managed under Indonesian law through export quotas. However, indications are that for a variety of reasons, these export quotas are regularly exceeded and an extensive, largely illegal trade in endemic Sulawesi turtles exists. Based on the recognition that urgent action is required in the face of threats posed by over-harvesting and habitat destruction, we initiated a project in 2006 with the following objectives: 1) train local WCS field staff and university students in turtle survey methodology; 2) determine the distribution of I. forstenii and L. yuwonoi in northern Sulawesi (Gorontalo and Northern Provinces), 3) determine if I. forstenii or L. yuwonoi are present within any protected area of this region, 4) identify populations of I. forstenii and L. yuwonoi suitable for long-term life history studies by Indonesian graduate studies, 5) gather sufficient data to assess the current conservation status of I. forstenii and L. yuwonoi, 6) make conservation recommendations to Indonesian and International authorities based on our findings, and 7) determine the feasibility of establishing a local rehabilitation and captive breeding center for I. forstenii and L. yuwonoi in Sulawesi. This project and consisted of two phases: an initial round of village interviews during June to gather preliminary data and identify sites suitable for further investigation, and a follow-up field survey in July. Preliminary interview teams questioned 113 individuals at localities scattered throughout northeastern Minahasa. During the follow- up survey we visited 19 villages and conducted additional interviews along with diurnal and nocturnal field surveys. We received numerous reports of turtles other than Cuora amboinensis occurring in northern Sulawesi. Linguistic diversity and local folk taxonomies made it difficult to determine which species of turtle informants were describing. However, almost without exception villagers were familiar with C. amboinensis and adamantly maintained that at least one additional species of turtle occurred in their area. Collectively these reports suggest that Indotestudo forstenii and Leucocephalon yuwonoi are more widely distributed in northern Sulawesi than previously believed. Numerous respondents also described a turtle known locally as the “white turtle”. We were unable to ascertain whether the white turtle is a local designation for L. yuwonoi or refers to a hitherto undescribed taxon. We examined a single living I. forstenii during our survey that was being held by a villager in Wanggarasi Timur pending sale to a wildlife trader. Villagers found the tortoise in secondary forest on the edge of an agricultural field after being alerted by their dog. This record represents an eastward range extension of approximately 100 km from previously reported populations on Cape Santigi in Central Sulawesi. Although we failed to locate L. yuwonoi during nocturnal surveys of seemingly suitable habitat, our interview data suggest it has a much wider geographic distribution than the few currently available records would indicate. We received reports of turtles fitting the description of L. yuwonoi from villages throughout Gorontalo and Northern Provinces. Clearly the distribution of L. yuwonoi in Sulawesi warrants further investigation and must be resolved before effective conservation efforts can be initiated. We captured 12 C. amboinensis during nocturnal surveys for L. yuwonoi, and villagers provided another 20 living and one dead C. amboinensis. Our field observations and interview data indicate that C. amboinensis can occur in almost any wetland habitat in northern Sulawesi. We found them in swift-flowing rocky streams, small spring fed rivulets, Nippa swamps, village ponds, rice-field ditches, and grass-dominated wetlands. Our captures, the relatively large number of specimens we obtained from villagers, and local perceptions of abundance collectively indicate that C. amboinensis remains common throughout the area we surveyed in northern Sulawesi. Interview data that we collected strongly suggest that endemic chelonians occur in at least two protected areas of northern Sulawesi: Dumoga-Bone National Park and Panua Nature Reserve. However, owing to the confusion surrounding local folk taxonomies, it is imperative that these anecdotal reports be confirmed with specimens or voucher photographs before these locality records are accepted. Nonetheless, these results are particularly significant because the occurrence of endemic chelonians has yet to be verified in any protected area of Sulawesi. Subsistence and commercial harvesting of turtles appears minimal in northern Sulawesi. With the exception of ethnic Chinese, very few people in northern Sulawesi consume tortoises or freshwater turtles. During our field survey we met only one individual who admitted to eating turtles, although several others were reputed to do so. This appears to be the result of a strong cultural bias against consuming turtle flesh among both Christians and Muslims in the region. The situation regarding the commercial harvest of turtles is less clear, but we found nothing to suggest widespread exploitation was underway. Limited commercial harvesting has occurred in the Dumoga River Valley and near Gorontalo, although different buyers were involved. A turtle trader appears to be active in Marisa, although visits to outlying villages seem to be erratic and to our knowledge, large volumes of turtles are not being purchased. Nowhere did we encounter professional turtle collectors in northern Sulawesi. The present harvest seems to be largely the result of opportunistic encounters; i.e., people collect turtles when they chance upon them while engaged in other pursuits. It is important to note however, that the situation with regards to commercial harvest could change rapidly as stocks of wild turtles are decimated in South and Central Sulawesi and traders seek new populations to exploit Finally, we visited a wildlife rehabilitation center near Manado operated by the Gibbon Foundation (GF) and Balai Konservasi Sumbar Danga Alam (BKSDA). The mission of the center is to rehabilitate animals (primarily birds and mammals, but also reptiles) confiscated by government conservation authorities with the eventual goal of repatriation to the wild. The objective of our visit was to assess the possibility of collaborating with the center to establish a turtle rescue program and captive assurance colonies for endemic Sulawesi chelonians. However, several potential drawbacks to this plan must be considered. Foremost are stipulations of their government license prohibiting the center from engaging in the captive propagation of any species. Furthermore, the GF facility is located at a rather remote site and closed to the public; consequently opportunities to develop effective conservation education and outreach programs are extremely limited. In light of these considerations, probably the most feasible plan is for WCS to independently develop a turtle rescue center with assurance colonies. A sufficiently large parcel of land can be obtained relatively cheaply and the technical expertise for training Indonesian keepers is available through the Reptile Department at the Bronx Zoo. Arrangements could be made with the GF and BKSDA to stock the assurance colonies with animals confiscated from wildlife traders. Based on the project described herein, these specific recommendations are suggested as a first step towards implementing effective conservation measures for the endemic L. yuwonoi and I. forstenii in northern Sulawesi...
Added by: Admin |