Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
|
 |
|
Moll, E. O. , Last curtain call for the drummer - a perspective on the global decline of river turtles. Paper presented at Turtle Survival Alliance 2006 Annual Meeting.
Added by: Admin (13 Dec 2008 22:23:47 UTC) |
| Resource type: Proceedings Article BibTeX citation key: Moll2006a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Batagur, Batagur baska, Geoemydidae, Habitat = habitat, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Südostasien = South East Asia Creators: Moll Collection: Turtle Survival Alliance 2006 Annual Meeting |
Views: 4/517
Views index: 9% Popularity index: 2.25% |
| Abstract |
|
The world’s great rivers accommodate both the most diverse chelonian assemblages and the most spectacular freshwater turtles. Some are stunningly attractive species, with beautiful colors and strikingly ornamented shells, while others sport the gaudiest coloration imaginable. Still others are most unturtle-like in appearance, possessing flattened, leathery shells and proboscis-like snouts. Several attain sizes approaching or exceeding those commonly associated with sea turtles. In the past certain species have attained incredible abundance in prime habitat, with nesting aggregations blocking boat traffic in huge rivers. However, today river turtles are among our most endangered chelonians. This is in part a consequence of their past abundance, large size, and stereotyped nesting behavior which have made them ideal candidates for exploitation and predation. Anthropogenic alteration of riverine habitats has also contributed to their decline. The case of Batagur baska in Malaysia exemplifies the difficulties involved in conserving river turtle populations. Batagur baska ( a.k.a. the river terrapin, tuntung, and drummer) of Southeast Asia was once known as the ‘royal turtle’ because it was protected by sultans who relished terrapin eggs for their reputed aphrodisiatic properties. Prior to WWII, some 20,000 nests were being laid on Malaysia’s Perak River beaches. In 2004 only 20 nests were found. This thousand-fold decline has occurred despite an ambitious conservation program involving hatcheries, headstarting and captive breeding. The drummer’s demise is examined as to causes and to the failure of conservation methods used. The success of two types of in situ conservation in India are discussed as an alternative approach to river turtle conservation.
Added by: Admin |