Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Syed, G. P. , Advances on the central american river turtle’s conservation program. Paper presented at Turtle Survival Alliance 2006 Annual Meeting.
Added by: Admin (13 Dec 2008 22:23:57 UTC) |
| Resource type: Proceedings Article BibTeX citation key: Syed2006 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Dermatemydidae, Dermatemys, Dermatemys mawii, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises Creators: Syed Collection: Turtle Survival Alliance 2006 Annual Meeting |
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| Abstract |
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The Central American river turtle Dermatemys mawii is the last surviving species of the family Dermatemydidae. It is also, sadly, the most endangered turtle species in Mexico, today. For centuries a part of the diet of the Ancient Mayans and other indigenous people, the advent of a commercial market for its meat has pushed the animal to the brink of extinction. Today populations of Dermatemys are largely limited to remote areas that are inaccessible to humans. Without an aggressive conservation effort, this turtle is destined to extinction in Southern Mexico. To attempt to restore its populations within Mexico, increased support by the relevant Federal and State authorities and within the local community is urgently needed. Simultaneously, the program includes research to increase our understanding of the husbandry and breeding techniques with the eventual goal of reintroduction back into the wild. The critical aspects will be efforts to coordinate with and educate government agencies responsible for protection of the animals to assist them in enforcing existing environment laws; increase awareness of and support for conservation of the animal within the local communities; and work with breeders and others in the community to create a program for sustainable development that promotes the well being of the animals and the local communities. These will be supported by a program to assess the state of current populations, identify those specimens that can best be bred to form a long-term viable population, create a program of captive breeding leveraging off existing farms and breeders, and develop a plan for reintroduction into the wild in accordance with IUCN guidelines.
Added by: Admin |