Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Mwaya, R. T. , An attempted rescue of pancake tortoise, malacochersus tornieri in tanzania: challenges and learning points. Paper presented at Turtle Survival Alliance 2007 Annual Meeting.
Added by: Admin (13 Dec 2008 22:23:48 UTC) |
| Resource type: Proceedings Article BibTeX citation key: Mwaya2007a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Afrika = Africa, Habitat = habitat, Malacochersus, Malacochersus tornieri, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae, Veterinärmedizin = veterinary medicine Creators: Mwaya Collection: Turtle Survival Alliance 2007 Annual Meeting |
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| Abstract |
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In February 1991 a huge illegal consignment of Malacochersus tornieri was impounded in Netherlands. The government of Tanzania, believed to be the export country, requested them back in order to be released into their natural habitats. A total of 316 of confiscated tortoises were eventually flown back and held, for acclimatization, at a semi-natural compound at 1400 meters a.s.l on the southern foothill of Mount Kilimanjaro. The semi-natural enclosure was made up of a chicken wire mesh that surrounded an area of 300 square meters. An artificial arrangement of concrete bricks provided a continuous system of crevice-mimicking chambers at one side of the fence. These chambers were sheltered with corrugated iron sheet. The herbaceous vegetation analysis was done and revealed floristic composition dominated by Digitaria – Cynodon. Upon arrival, the tortoises were sexed and morphometric measurements (Carapace and plastron lengths) and weights were taken. All tortoises were found to be adults with a female-biased sex ratio. The tortoise’s health was monitored constantly for at least the first one year. Although the tortoise lot was eventually brought back to Tanzania, the scientific protocol could not be effectively met and the release was not done. The project registered constant mortality, due to diseases and other causes. The death peaks seemed to coincide with rain seasons. The last pancake tortoise died in 1998. This paper discusses the ill experience of the project and the factors that might have led to its failure. Such information is important in order to avoid similar scenarios in future.
Added by: Admin |