Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Sharma, D. S. K. (1999). Tortoise and freshwater turtle trade and utilisation in peninsular malaysia.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (30 Jun 2012 22:01:54 UTC) |
| Resource type: Report/Documentation BibTeX citation key: Sharma1999 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Amyda, Amyda cartilaginea, Batagur, Batagur baska, Cuora, Cuora amboinensis, Cyclemys, Cyclemys dentata, Dogania, Dogania subplana, Emydidae, Geoemydidae, Habitat = habitat, Heosemys, Heosemys grandis, Heosemys spinosa, Indotestudo, Indotestudo elongata, Manouria, Manouria emys, Manouria impressa, Notochelys, Notochelys platynota, Pelochelys, Pelochelys bibroni, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Südostasien = South East Asia, Testudinidae, Trachemys, Trachemys scripta, Trionychidae Creators: Sharma |
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| Abstract |
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Turtles, generally meant to include tortoises, terrapins, softshell turtles and marine turtles, are reptiles belonging to the order Chelonia. Peninsular Malaysia is home to three families and 18 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises from the farni1y Bataguridae, Testudinidae and Trionychidae. Their habitats includes rivers, wetlands including paddy fields and forest streams to hill forests. Some of these species are rare or not commonly found in the wild. The trade involves the eggs and flesh of the animals, either as food or for medicinal purposes as well as pet trade. The eggs are mainly from the River Terrapin Batagur baska, Painted Terrapin Callagl.lr bomeoensis, the softshell turtles Asiatic Softshell Turtle Amyda cartilaginea, Malayan Softshell Turtle Dogania subplana and the Asian Giant Softshell Turtle Pelochelys bibroni. The flesh are taken Ii·om species like Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis, Giant Asian Pond Turtle Heosemys grandis, Malayan Softshell Turtle Dogania subplana, Asiatic Softshell Turtle Amyda cartilaginea, Asian Brown Tortoise Manouria emys, Black Marsh Turtle Siebenrockie/la crassicollis and smaller numbers of Asian Leaf Turtle Cyclemys dentata. The more attractive species of chelonians, especially juveniles of semi-aquatic turtles and tortoises are often found in loeal and international pet trade. Juveniles of Spiny Turtle Heosemys spinosa, Malayan Flat-shelled Turtle Notochelys platynota and the Elongated Tortoise Indotestudo elongata are attractive in shape and colour and therefore make interesting pets. However, it appears that the diversity of species available in the pet trade is low. The most commonly sold species is the Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis. Turtles are also exhibited in zoos, parks and other recreational areas. Some of these, especially the "turtle temples" in Perak, also serve as turtle depositories for people who believe that the act of reseuing a turtle and sending it to a temple will bring them good fortune or long life. Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis, Giant Asian Pond Turtle Heosemys grandis and the Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta elegans are found in abundance in concrete ponds in these temples. Unfortunately, even terrestrial species like the Asian Brown Tortoise Manouria emys can also be found in these ponds. These ponds are often over-crowded with turtles and husbandry conditions are deplorable. Most of the species found in domestic markets are from the wild. Small-seale farming of Chinese Softshell Turtle Pelodiscl.ls sinensis, a non-native species, was observed in Perak as weil as other states in the Peninsula This species is supplied to local restaurants and Chinese pet shops for food and pet trade. H{)wever, the accidental release of these animals into the wild ean be expected and may have undesirable consequenees for loeal habitats and species. It cannot be aseertain if native species are being fanned inthe country. The only native species that is bred in eaptivity is River Terrapin Batagur baska. PERHILITAN manages captive breeding faeilities for the species in Perak (Bota Kanan) , Terengganu (Bukit Paloh) and Kedah (Bukit Pinang). The Bota Kanan Terrapin Sanctuary was established in 1968, whilst both the Bukit Pinang and Bukit Paloh breeding facilities were set up in 1982. lnitially, all three facilities merely functioned as hatcheries. Large concrete pools were subsequently designed and hatch1ings were retained for the purposes of eaptive breeding. All the eggs are purchased from licensed egg eollectors who harvest the eggs from the wild. Peninsular Malaysia exports large number of chelonian species. However, the only reeords available are for the three CITES listed species, Asian Brown Tortoise Manouria emys, Impressed Tortoise Manouria impressa, and Elongated Tortoise Indotestudo elongata. The main impOlters from reeords available from 1990 to 1993 are Japan and USA, in which both countries account for 6,707 individuals or 95.24% of the tortoises exported from the country in the three years. There is evidence that Peninsular Malaysia also exports to Hong Kong and Singapore. Some exotic species are also imported into the country to serve the local pet trade and for display in recreational areas (zoos, parks and gardens).
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |