Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Anand, V. D., Moses, A., & Varma, S. (2005). The fading star - an investigation into the illegal trade in indian star tortoise in south india Bangalore and New Delhi: A Rocha India and Wildlife Trust of India.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:10:27 UTC) |
| Resource type: Report/Documentation BibTeX citation key: Anand2005 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat - habitat, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Südasien - Southern Asia Creators: Anand, Moses, Varma Publisher: A Rocha India and Wildlife Trust of India (Bangalore and New Delhi) |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae geochelone elegans The Indian Star Tortoise (IST) is today synchronous with global wildlife trade. This is evident from the large number of seizures that have taken place in the past few years and the other transactions that have gone through unseen. Their survival success through these millions of years has been challenged by increased human activity today. Thus this study was done to investigate the illegal IST trade in south India. All land tortoises are grouped under a single family, the Testudinidae. The IST is around 280 mm across its carapace. The females are much larger than the males. The average weight of the IST is 4.5 kg. They are omnivores but inclined to be vegetarian. The species ranges over large parts of India, South-eastern Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The IST is found in a number of habitat types- from the semi-deserts to the savannahs to the moist deciduous forests. The IST in India is protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (No. 53 of 1972), where it has been placed under Schedule IV, making it illegal either to possess or to trade in the species within India. It is important to note that though it is not listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Our survey focused on: Visits to offices of enforcement agencies to collect information about past seizures of ISTs, details of offenders, the status of prosecution and also the status of the seized animals. Visits to rehabilitation and rescue centres to gather information on ISTs in captivity. Field visits for trade investigation and habitat assessment. Visits to urban pet shops and business establishments to assess their involvement in the trade. Web page and literature surveys to determine the availability of information on the IST and its importance in global trade. The statistics of wildlife seizures between 2001 and 2004 reveal that 12 out of 20 wildlife seizures made were of the IST and Chennai seems to be the main outlet for the smugglers. The trader’s destinations appear to be the Southeast Asian countries. No record of any wildlife seizure was found in the seaport. IST distribution is more common to areas in and around the Palmaner reserved forest of Chitoor district. Information collected during visits to villages in Chitoor district points out that the villages are located at an average distance of 1-3 km from the forests, suggesting that the proximity to IST habitat may make it convenient for their collection and transport to other places. Investigation also suggests that the IST source is also centred in the Kolar and Madanpalle districts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh respectively. It was found that the ‘Bird men’ or the kurvikar (local name) community were the only ones dealing with wildlife, making a living by hunting birds either for consumption or for sale as pets. The Birdmen come only for brief periods to the city and are usually out in the wild. Thus their level of involvement in the trade is unclear. In Bangalore city, three seizures of ISTs were made between 1998 and 2000 from one single trader amounting to 3170 individuals. It was also found that the Hakke Pakke tribe (Nomadic hunters) were the first to handle the ISTs, collecting them from the wild particularly in Kolar district, in Karnataka. Visits to this tribal settlement confirmed collection at Bannerghatta National Park and the adjoining areas. Surveys of literature and the World Wide Web suggest that the ISTs are traded primarily as pets but are also sold as a delicacy in East Asian countries. Apart from this, the shells are used in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) industry. Several online pet shops were found to be exhibiting various animals for sale including the IST, with regular updates of the price list. The very presence of such online trading websites could indicate that North America is one of the final destinations of the IST in addition to Southeast Asian countries. In captivity nearly 60% of ISTs have been reported to have died at the Bannerghatta Biological Park due to water borne infections. Non-availability of information on the species has made its management in captivity very difficult. Singapore’s geographical location makes it an excellent trans-shipment point. In Japan, ISTs are imported legally and illegally, and are eaten as a delicacy. In Sri Lanka, where it is believed that there is no international trade, evidence of domestic use of the IST as pets has been found. In the United States of America undercover investigation and enforcement of laws appeared to be more effective but still a variety of animals and their products are smuggled in. A comprehensive study on all aspects of the species will greatly help in mitigating trade of the species and also their management in captivity. Information on the distribution is vital in order to monitor and mitigate collection of the species from the source. General awareness among enforcement agencies on the wildlife trade will greatly help in enforcement, from stopping of collection to seizures in transit and at exit points. Publication of more information on the ecological importance of the species will surely create public awareness that will deter the buying of these creatures, thereby reducing the demand.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |