See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274836499

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for
the Next Ten Years
Book · January 2012

CITATIONS

READS

21

416

3 authors, including:Brian Horne

Andrew D. Walde

Wildlife Conservation Society

Walde Research & Environmental Consulting

27 PUBLICATIONS 271 CITATIONS

61 PUBLICATIONS 570 CITATIONSSEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Ecophysiology of Malagasy Tortoises View projectLong term population study of turtles in Florida springs View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Andrew D. Walde on 12 April 2015.
The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

SEE PROFILE

Conservation of Asian Tortoises andFreshwater Turtles:
Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years
Recommendations and Conclusions from the Workshop in Singapore,
February 21-24, 2011
Compiled by Brian D. Horne, Colin M. Poole and Andrew D. WaldeOn behalf of the workshop participants whose ideas and suggestions are summarized here: Gary Ades, David Bickford, Torsten Blanck, Venancio
Carvalho, Christina Castellano, Bosco Chan, Chan Eng Heng, Nantarika Chansue, Chen Pelf Nyok, Chen Tien-Hsi, Yodchaiy Chuaynkern, Paul
Crow, Arthur Georges, Eric Goode, Gong Shiping, Hoang Van Ha, Cris Hagen, Scott Heacox, Doug Hendrie, Sovannara Heng, Rohan Holloway,
Brian D. Horne, Rick Hudson, Jim Juvik, Hinrich Kaiser, Mistar Kamsi, Kahoru Kanari, Wachira Kitimasak, Win Ko Ko, Gerald Kuchling, Mirza
Kusrini, Saskia Lafebre, Charles Landrey, Michael Lau, Benjamin Lee, Leong Tzi Ming, Lu Shunqing, Pattarapol Maneeorn, Tim McCormack, John
Mitchell, Alistair Mould, Khin Myo Myo, Khalid Pasha, Kruwan Pipatsawasdikul, Kalyar Platt, Colin Poole, Peter Praschag, Bonnie Raphael, Rao
Dingqi, Awal Riyanto, Anders Rhodin, Saowakhon Runruang, Walter Sedgwick, John Sha, Chris Shepherd, Loretta Shepherd, Shailendra Singh,
Sitha Som, Carrie Stengel, Sung Yik Hei, Peter Paul van Dijk, Hoang Van Thai, Peter Valentin, Andrew D. Walde, Jay Wan, Janice Yap, Zhang
Fang, Zhang Mingxia, and Zhou Ting.

Held at Singapore Zoo on February 21-24, 2011

On the cover
Clockwise from left:
Wild-caught adult Impressed Tortoise Manouria
impressa for sale in a food market in Guangzhou,
China. Photo by Liana Joseph
A male Red-crowned Roofed Turtle Batagur
kachuga in breeding color on the Chambal River,
Uttar Pradesh, India. Photo by Sheena Koeth
Turtles for sale in the pet market in Guangzhou,
China. Photo by Liana Joseph
Published by Wildlife Conservation Society Singapore Ltd,352 Tanglin Road, #01-08, Singapore 247671© 2012 Wildlife Conservation Society/ Turtle Survival Alliance
All material appearing in these proceedings is copyrighted andmay be reproduced with permission.
Any reproduction, in full or in part, of the publication must
credit WCS/TSA as the copyright owner.
Layout by S.T. Leng
Suggested citation: Brian D. Horne, Colin M. Poole andAndrew D. Walde (eds). 2012. Conservation of Asian
Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next
Ten Years. Recommendations and Conclusions from theWorkshop in Singapore, February 21-24, 2011.
ISBN: 978-981-07-1737-7
Text printed on 130 gsm 9 Lives Gloss (FSC 51% recycled)
paper.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents........................................................................................................................................1
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................3
I.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Priority Recommendations..................................................................................................................4
Globally integrated assurance colonies.................................................................................................4
All Critically Endangered (36) and Endangered (21) species need focused in-situ conservation action.4
Governments must rigorously enforce existing laws and regulations....................................................4
The identification of field localities is of the utmost priority....................................................................4

II. Policy Recommendations....................................................................................................................5
a. Updates to IUCN Red List Statuses.......................................................................................................5b. Updates to CITES Statuses....................................................................................................................5
III. Priority Genera......................................................................................................................................6
a. Batagur...................................................................................................................................................6b. Cuora......................................................................................................................................................6
IV. Emerging Threats.................................................................................................................................7
a. Internet Trade..........................................................................................................................................7
b. Increase in Turtle Farming and Resulting Changes in Market Structure................................................7
c. Impacts of Commercial Riverine Sand and Gold Mining........................................................................8
d. Calipee Trade..........................................................................................................................................8
V.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Emerging Opportunities.......................................................................................................................9Conservation Genetics...........................................................................................................................9
Building Collaborations...........................................................................................................................9
Development and Utilization of Rescue Centers..................................................................................10
Awareness and Training Materials........................................................................................................10
Evaluation of Conservation Actions......................................................................................................10
Re-introduction Projects........................................................................................................................11

VI. Taxon Specific Recommendations for Critically Endangered Species.........................................12VII. Life History Data Collection on Species Ranked as Data Deficient...............................................22
Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................................23
Table 1. Critically Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles of Southeast Asia based on current
Red-List and Draft Assessments including status of Assurance Colonies and prioritizationof Field Surveys.............................................................................................................................24
Table 2. Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles of Southeast Asia based on current
Red-List and Draft Assessments including status of Assurance Colonies and prioritizationof Field Surveys.............................................................................................................................25
Table 3. Recommendations From the Red-Listing Session for Species That Necessitate Being‘Up-listed’ to a Higher Category of Endangered Status...............................................................26
Table 4. Recommendations of CITES Status Changes for Asian Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises...........27
Appendix I. Participant List.....................................................................................................................28

Photo by Reiner Praschag

Indian flapshell turtles Lissemys sp. (CITES Appendix II), for sale in the open markets of Bagerhat, Bangladesh.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

2

Introduction
Cambodia, in 1999 that first brought together the region’s
turtle experts. By assessing the past eleven years, participants were able to identify what actions worked well, which
ones did not work as well as hoped, and which recommendations/priorities had not been adequately addressed. Next,
the participants were asked to look forward to determine
emerging trends and new developments and dilemmas/
challenges in the continuously changing habitat impacts andmarket trade in turtles and turtle products.
Herein, we present a set of recommendations andconclusions arising from presentations, discussions, andbreak-out sessions at the workshop.  The first set of overall
recommendations represent the immediate steps necessary
for staving off extinction of Asia’s most endangered turtles.
These recommendations are of the highest priority.
Key policy recommendations are then made, arising from an International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Red-Listing process that was incorporated as partof the Singapore workshop and a specific session on theConvention on International Trade in Endangered Speciesof Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Red List ranks the
species in terms of how imperiled the individual species are,and recommended changes in rankings reflect how species’ present status and survival prospects are compared
to previous years. These recommendations dovetail into
recommendations for proposed changes to the CITES listingof Asian turtles and how specific species need to be morestrictly regulated and supervised in their international trade
to protect wild populations. The key policy recommendations should be pivotal in encouraging participating countries
to enforce existing laws and regulations and in some cases
create new laws or regulations.
Two genera have been identified as priority groups
as they make up a large percentage of the most criticallyendangered turtles in Asia. This is followed by a section on
emerging threats and includes recommendations for dealing
with these new issues. After which we detail a number of
emerging opportunities for turtle conservation in Asia. We
then detail two potential species for pilot reintroduction
programs.  Before we conclude, we detail species-specificrecommendations for the 36 confirmed and proposed Critically Endangered Turtles and Tortoises in South and Southeast Asia, and lastly, we have a short section on the need togather information on species’ ranked as Data Deficient inorder to determine such species population status.

Asia is a vast continent, with varied habitats and the world’s
most species rich and diverse turtle fauna. In 1999, due to a
growing concern about the plight of Asian turtles, a meeting
was convened in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The focus of themeeting was to discuss the status and the burgeoning tradeof wild turtles for consumption, traditional medicines, andthe pet trade that could be measured in tons of living turtles
being traded daily in open markets throughout Asia. The
meeting revealed that the situation was far worse than any
individual group or region had previously imagined. Sadly,
many Asian chelonians were headed towards extinction atan unprecedented rate and immediate conservation actions
were necessary. Notable turtle conservation initiatives that
arose shortly thereafter include the Turtle Conservation Fund
(TCF), the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), and the Asian Turtle
Conservation Network (ATCN).
Significant strides have been made since the 1999
workshop, such as the last known female Rafetus swinhoei
being paired with a male at the Suzhou Zoo in China. Notably no species of turtles has gone extinct and a small numberof species thought to be extinct was rediscovered (e.g.,
Cuora yunnanensis and Siebenrockiella leytenesis). The Burmese Roofed Turtle (Batagur trivittata) an additional species
feared to be extinct in 1999 was rediscovered in the remote
Chindwin River Valley in northwestern Myanmar where an
integrated recovery program was initiated which combines
captive breeding, head-starting, and field conservation.  This
has resulted in the known global population of these turtles togrow from just seven individuals to over 400. Already a great
conservation and management success, the next phase ofthis project will be to release some of these young back into
the native rivers, where mitigation of threats and education of
the local people will ensure its survival.
However, the trade in wild caught turtles and turtle
products (e.g., meat, shell, eggs, and cartilage) is still thenumber one problem facing global turtle populations. As
long-lived vertebrates, which have a reproductive strategy
that is reliant on adults living for numerous decades, increases in annual adult mortality can rapidly cause populations to
decline or collapse. Moreover, such populations are slow torecover as juvenile turtles naturally have high mortality rates
and often require more than a decade to reach sexual maturity. Failure to enforce local and international laws continues
to hinder progress and legal loopholes provide avenues forwildlife traders to skirt the legal requirements of trading inendangered species.
In response, a three-day workshop on the plight ofAsia’s tortoises and freshwater turtles and their conservation
was held in Singapore (February 21st – 24th, 2011) to detail
how turtle conservation within the region has progressed,
and to identify avenues for future action. Nearly 70 delegatesfrom 17 countries – including 14 Asian nations – attended.
Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), the Wildlife Conservation
Society (WCS), and the TSA hosted the workshop in collaboration with the Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation
Fund, San Diego Zoo Global, the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG), and Kadoorie Farmand Botanic Garden.
A primary directive and the basis of the workshop, participants were tasked with looking back at the last decade ofturtle conservation since the pivotal meeting in Phnom Penh,

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years3

I. Priority Recommendations
efforts should be made to provide coverage for multiple
species of Critically Endangered and Endangered turtle
species. In addition, the management of all current, andany newly created areas important for the conservationof Critically Endangered and Endangered turtles, musthave long-term management plans that are in line with
the natural history of the species they are protecting.

The recommendations below are not ranked and are considered of equal importance.

a. Globally integrated assurance
colonies must be created for CriticallyEndangered and Endangered speciesof tortoises and freshwater turtles andof Southeast Asia

c. Governments must rigorously enforce
existing laws and regulations concerning all trade — both national andinternational — in tortoises and freshwater turtles, and penalties for violation need to be levied to the fullest
extent of the relevant laws

A goal of three separate assurance colonies with aminimum of 25 adult male and 25 adult female founders
per colony will maximize the retention of genetic diversity
and minimize the risk of catastrophic loss of a colony
due to events such as infectious disease or natural
disaster. See Table 1 and Table 2. These assurance
colonies must be aligned with field conservation efforts
so that captive bred offspring can supplement wild
populations or re-populate habitats where turtles havebeen extirpated once the reason for the population
decline has been sufficiently addressed.  The utmost
effort should be directed towards creating breeding
programs, which exchange stock from zoos and private
individuals that already maintain captive turtles, as wellas supplementation from confiscated animals in the
trade, and not removing additional animals from the wild.

Particular attention by law enforcement officials needs tobe directed at preventing wild caught Critically Endangered (Table 1) and Endangered (Table 2) species, aswell as their eggs, meat, and shells, from being tradedboth nationally and internationally.

d. The identification of field localities
is of the utmost priority when there
is a complete lack of data or limited
information on species-specific field
localities

b. All Critically Endangered (36) andEndangered (21) species needfocused in-situ conservation action

Specifically, species only known from the markets or
species that have limited data on the existence of multiple wild populations within restricted ranges. Therefore,
field surveys are essential to identify field localities for 15
Critically Endangered species and five Endangered species so that remnant wild populations can be safeguarded (as listed in Tables 1 and 2).
Photo by Moz Images

This should include a minimum of one legally designatedprotected area that encompasses the necessary habitat
for the species to complete all life stages, as well as
being staffed with adequate anti-poaching enforcement
personnel. See Tables 1 and 2. This may entail thecreation of new protected areas for these species andA wild caught Indian Peacock Softshell Turtle Nilssonia hurum awaiting sale in a market in central Dhaka, Bangladesh. In the
background are various species of the Indian Flapshell Turtle Lissemys sp.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

4

II. Policy Recommendations
Photo by Carrie Stengel

a. Updates to IUCN Red List Statuses

The IUCN Red List status of 85 taxa was provisionallyassessed (see Table 3) in a session involving the majority of workshop participants. The following recommendations emerged: Thirty-four species required nochange from their present assessment, two species
may qualify to be ‘down-listed’ by a single category,
18 species warrant ‘up-listing’ by a single category,
two species may move up two categories, 12 species
which were not previously included in the Red List were
provisionally assessed, and assessments for 17 species were deferred pending a Cuora specific workshop
or other additional input.
This resulted in 36 species now being proposed
to be ranked as Critically Endangered*, 21 as Endangered*, ten as Vulnerable*, six ranked as Near Threatened*, three as Least Concern*, and the remaining nineclassified as Data Deficient* or deferred to a later date
for status updates.
* see glossary for explanation of terms

ActionThe IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle
Specialist Group will take these recommendations
forward to formally update the status of these
species on the IUCN Red List.

Photo by Uzma Noureen

Malayan Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis being weighed for salein Jakarta, Indonesia.

b. Updates to CITES Statuses

Thirteen species were recommended to be included in
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix
II, allowing limited, regulated and reported international trade, and some 25 species were suggested
for transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I, prohibiting
international commercial trade (see Table 4). All the
Chinese and Vietnamese endemic Cuora species wererecommended for transfer to Appendix I, as well as all
species ranked Critically Endangered in the Red Listand continuing to be in international trade, including
Platysternon megacephalum, Batagur borneoensis,
Heosemys annandalii, Heosemys depressa, Mauremys
annamensis, Mauremys mutica, Nilssonia formosa, Nilssonia leithii, and Siebenrockiella leytensis. In addition, it
was recommended that several species believed to beunsustainably traded internationally as a result of widespread illegal collection and trade also be transferredto Appendix I: Lissemys punctata, Manouria impressa,
Pelochelys cantorii, and Pelochelys bibroni. Appendix I
status would strengthen the enforcement options available to wildlife authorities in countries of origin, transit,
and destination.

ActionAll participants will work with their national
CITES Management Authority to propose
uplistings relevant to their country and support
them through the provision of appropriatescientific data.

Calipee from a large South Asian Softshell Turtle Nilssonia sp.
being dried along the Indus River of Pakistan in preparation
for its sale and eventual export to China.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

5

III. Priority Genera

b. Cuora

Two genera (Batagur and Cuora) are singled out due to thehigh percentage of species within each genus being CriticallyEndangered. Five species (83%) of Batagur and 10 species(90%) of Cuora are Critically Endangered. Incredibly, these15 species comprise greater than 40% of all Critically Endangered turtles in South and Southeast Asia. These two genera
clearly illustrate opposite ends of the spectrum from an Asian
chelonian conservation perspective; Batagur sp. are large
river turtles requiring large rivers and are hunted for humanconsumption, while the Cuora are relatively small terrestrial
and semi-terrestrial species that are intensively collected forthe pet trade and traditional Eastern medicines. The issues
concerning these two genera are outlined below and species
specific recommendations given in Section VI.

Photo by Chen Tien-Hsi

Batagur

Turtles in the genus Batagur are large hardshelled riverturtles and are all highly sought for human consumption,
mainly due to their size. They are especially vulnerable
to being over hunted as they congregate at favored
nesting beaches during seasonal nesting periods. There
has been a marked increase in collection of both adults
and eggs in the past few decades, which has resulted
in little to no recruitment into the breeding populations.
In addition, an increase in dam projects as well as commercial sand and gold mining on many of the region’srivers has altered riverine habitats to the point thatthey are no longer suitable for large river turtles. This
has resulted in all species of this genus being severely
depleted across all of their former range.

Yellow-margined Box Turtle Cuora flavomarginata is facing
increased hunting pressure as its value in the pet trade is on
the rise.

Photo by Brian D. Hornea.

Asian Box Turtles within the genus Cuora represent oneof the greatest challenges in the goal of preventing extinction of any species of turtles within the next decade.
Numerous species are on the precipice of extinction
with only a handful of specimens being known to science and often the few animals that are within assurance colonies have limited captive breeding successand/or produce a biased sex ratio of hatchlings. One
species still lacks reliable/confirmed locality data andseveral species may be nearly or fully extinct in the wild.

In addition, the species within this genus often command the highest prices of any turtles within both theinternational pet trade, the investment trade for turtle
farming, and the trade of turtle products (flesh andbones) for traditional eastern medicine. All this coupledwith habitat destruction and near insatiable demand forthe rarest specimens has created a critical situation forthis genus’ conservation.

Breeding male Burmese Roofed Turtle Batagur trivittata at the
Yadanabon Zoo in Mandalay, part of a successful assurance
colony that is essential for the future of this species and others in the genus.

It is now necessary that assurance colonies be created
for all six Batagur species. Integrating assurance colonies and subsequent captive born offspring with field
conservation programs are essential for their long-term
survival and eventual population recovery. As unregulated take and over hunting still occurs with little or no law
enforcement, establishment of these assurance colonies
must be completed quickly for some of the species
since few wild Batagur specimens/individuals and/or
populations still exist. Additionally, all efforts should bemade to reduce the illegal take of these species.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

6

IV. Emerging Threatsb. Increase in Turtle Farming and
Resulting Changes in Market
Structurea. Internet Trade

There is an increasing volume and variety of turtles being sold as pets on the internet, with much of this tradeappearing to be originating in Asia. It is worrisome thatmany of these turtles are some of the most CriticallyEndangered species from across the globe. Numerous accounts of species such as wild caught adult
Ploughshare Tortoises (Astrochelys yniphora), Philippine
Pond Turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis), and the Sulawesi
Forest Turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi) being offered
for sale have been reported. All three of these species
are Critically Endangered with highly restricted ranges.
Furthermore, very limited numbers if any are being
reproduced in captivity hence the majority seen for sale
are almost certainly wild caught individuals. This marksa major shift in the way wildlife dealers are promoting
the sale of these species. The internet enables the twoparties to remain anonymous throughout the transaction. Conventional trade monitoring is limited in its
ability to accurately account for the numbers of species
and individuals traded, while law enforcement is limited
in what it can do to halt such trade.

Recommendation

Photo by Stephen Hogg

Relevant national authorities and internet forum
operators (nationally and internationally) need toplace more attention on controlling illegal trade inwildlife over the internet.

A notable change in the market structure of freshwater
turtles and tortoises has appeared in China. Previously‘wet markets’ where turtles were openly sold, primarily
comprised imported wild caught stock from surrounding Asian countries. Today the majority of the market
specimens are from in-country turtle farms that are
producing vast numbers of the Chinese Softshell Turtle(Pelodiscus sinensis), the Chinese Pond Turtle (Mauremys reevesii), as well as the North American Red-eared
Slider (Trachemys scripta), the Common Snapping Turtle(Chelydra serpentina), the Florida Softshell (Apalone
ferox), and River Cooters (Pseudemys concinna). It is
not clear what the exact mechanism was that led to themarket shift but it is probably due to a combination of
declining wild populations of turtles throughout Southeast Asia accompanied by the growing sophisticationof turtle farming on a large industrial scale and better
regulations. However, a significant volume of wildcaught turtles can still be seen for sale in the markets inGuangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan provinces of China,
and especially in the Chinese cities of Guangzhou andShenzhen. Also, many wild caught turtles, instead ofbeing sold directly to the public for consumption, arenow being sent directly to these large commercial turtle
farms. This is due in part to the general belief of turtle
farmers that wild caught turtles breed more readily thansecond-generation offspring of the farm bred animals.
An additional factor in this trend of more wild caught
animals being sent directly to farms is that many of thefarms have high mortality of their breeding stock due
to insufficient husbandry.  There has also been a rise in
the number of turtles and tortoises being sold for thehigh-end pet trade industry, not just in Europe and North
America but also in Asia. The increased demand for rare
and unique freshwater turtles and tortoises has been
noted by an increased number of juvenile specimens
illegally imported to Asia from countries such as Madagascar. Two of the most highly sought tortoise species
are the Indian Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans), and
the Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora). In addition, wild caught adults of small species such as theBlack-breasted Leaf Turtle (Geoemyda spengleri), whichis consumed for food or traditional eastern medicine toa much less degree than many of the larger species,
are still frequently encountered during market surveys
and are more likely intended for the pet trade than had
been previously traded. Another example that shows anincrease in trade is the brightly colored hatchlings of the
Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum).

Recommendation

Governments, academic and independent
researchers, and NGO, conservationists must
continue researching, monitoring, and regulating,particularly in southern China, the growing turtle
farming industry as well as the high-end pet trade
to ensure that these industries are not negatively
affecting wild turtle populations.

Large numbers of juvenile Indian Star Tortoises Geochelone
elegans are smuggled from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
to the pet markets in Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Confiscations of several hundred in a single consignment arebecoming more frequent in cities like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur,
and Jakarta.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

7

Photo by Win Ko KoGold mining along the upper Chindwin River destroys nesting areas for the critically endangered and endemic Burmese Roofed
Turtle Batagur trivittata.
Photo by Peter Praschagc. Impacts of Commercial Riverine
Sand and Gold Mining

The incidence of commercial riverine sand and gold
mining appears to be growing across the region. Sand
mining has an immediate effect as it destroys thenesting habitat for many of the large river turtles thatare obligated to nest on high sandy beaches. A lessobvious effect of the mining process is changes toriverbank structure, water flow, and increased water
turbidity that ultimately result in loss of submerged
aquatic plant growth. Associated with these changes
to the system, the mining can cause reduced dissolved
oxygen levels with resulting few aquatic organisms forthe turtles to prey upon. Coupling these changes tothe physical structure of the system, fewer prey items,
and increased turbidity, the habitats become less thansuitable for most turtles; hence, incapable of sustaining
viable turtle populations. Gold mining also results inhigh levels of mercury contamination of the river systemand turtles have been shown to bio-accumulate mercury. High levels of mercury have been associated withnumerous developmental abnormalities.

Dried and cleaned calippee from Ganges Softshell Turtles
Nilssonia gangeticus is often difficult for customs officials to
identify and is frequently labelled “buffalo horn” by smugglers
in attempts to hide its identity.

prohibited under the tenets of a predominant religion in
the region. Because the dried cartilage can be stored
and stockpiled for lengthy periods before middlemenpurchase them from rural traders it has become a lucrative industry. Furthering the problem is that enforcement is limited as it is often difficult to ascertain not only
if the dried substance is calipee but also which species
the dried cartilage originated from. Adding to theconfusion and hiding the problem, it is often shipped inconsignments labeled as something entirely different,
for example ‘buffalo horn’.

Recommendation

Government and other authorities need to protect
important sections of rivers as well as key nesting
and foraging sites from commercial sand, gold,
and other mining activities. The establishment ofprotected areas may be warranted, as it is imperative that these activities be banned from occurringin, or upstream from, sensitive habitats of Critically Endangered and Endangered river turtles.

Recommendationd. Calipee Trade

Law enforcement personnel need training to
identify calipee as being from softshell turtles andhow to properly collect samples for DNA analysis.
A DNA bar coding system to aid in species
identification from such material is being developed
and access to it should be made available toappropriate law enforcement agencies.

Recent reports from South Asia have shown an
increasing trend of trade in the dried calipee (thecartilaginous parts of a softshell turtle’s shell) to China
where it is consumed in a soup that has rendered theturtle cartilage into a gelatinous substance. Turtles areoften slaughtered merely for this cartilage, meat andbones are often not utilized as consumption of these isConservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

8

V. Emerging Opportunities
Conservation Genetics

Photo by Elizabeth Bennetta.

With the increasing importance of assurance colonies,
there is an associated increase in the need for better
management of these colonies in terms of maximizing theretention of genetic diversity. In the near future, conservation genetics will play a greater role in determining theinfluences of in-breeding and out-breeding depressionin assurance colonies with limited numbers of founders. It will also help demonstrate localized adaptationsof meta-populations to specific localities.  But perhaps
most importantly, it will be a crucial aspect of planning reintroduction programs both in how the release animals will
influence the genetic pool of the remaining wild populations as well as how the retention of specific offspring inassurance colonies will be selected. The development of
micro-satellite libraries and/or species-specific genotyping will be a critical component of any program when it isnecessary to institute captive breeding programs as wellas programs aimed at supplementing wild populations.

South and Southeast Asia has experienced an increase in thecapacity to study and conserve the regions’ turtles throughmulti-national exchange programs aimed at training the next
generation of Asian turtle biologist.

Recommendation

Photo by Allan Michaud

In-depth genomic profiling needs to be developed
for all 36 Critically Endangered species requiring
assurance colonies. Conservation organizations,zoos, state run institutions, and private individuals
that maintain such colonies must work with theacademic, private, and/or state run researchlaboratories to achieve this goal.

b. Building Collaborations with Relevant
Global and Regional Multi-national
Agencies and Initiatives

In order to better combat the trade and address theescalating conservation need, especially for turtle species that have ranges that extend across geo-politicalborders (e.g., Batagur affinis, Pelochelys cantorii, andPlatysternon megacephalum), there is an urgent needto raise awareness and develop better partnerships
between national governments, NGOs and the developing global and regional multi-national agencies andinitiatives concerning wildlife crime. Globally this should
involve the International Consortium on Combating
Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) which brings together the
CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Bank andthe World Customs Organization (WCO). Regionally thisshould involve the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) and the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN WEN).

Recommendation

Through targeted materials and briefings,
conservationists and the NGO sector must
increase the awareness of senior officials inappropriate global and regional initiatives, suchas ICCWC, SAWEN, and ASEAN WEN, that wildlife
trade is ‘not just about tigers’. Informationmust be provided not only on the severity of theinternational turtle trade, but also on the actions
necessary to prevent extinctions.

Community based turtle conservation projects such as thisfor Southern River Terrapin Batagur affinis at Sre Ambel,
Cambodia are on the rise and are critical to the future of turtle
populations in the region.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years9

Development and Utilization of
Rescue Centers

Photo by WCS Myanmar Programc.

With the mounting number of conservation-dependent
species being seized by law enforcement actions, it isnecessary that the appropriate use of rescue centersbe addressed. In-depth planning is necessary for theirconstruction and utilization as the eco-physiologicalrequirements of the turtles often varies widely amongst
species, as well as species-specific behaviors (e.g.,
male-male aggression that can lead to death). However, in-range rescue facilities may also serve as
quarantine center for turtles freshly removed from thetrade before the transfer of these animals to appropriate assurance colonies. Or, in some cases, in-country
rescue facilities may also be the base of assurance
colonies, and/or head-starting facilities. Coupling thistype of use for rescue facilities would underscore theimportance of well-designed and managed facilities
due to the potential of cross-contamination from newly
arriving animals from confiscations.

Local education, here in northern Myanmar, is critical toreducing the threats of wild turtle populations.

d. Awareness and Training Materials

There is a continuing need for up-to-date species
identification materials and species identification training workshops for law enforcement officials.  Suchmaterial needs to be produced in multiple languages
and be well illustrated. In addition, there exists a needfor training manuals that detail how best to deal withconfiscated turtles in the most humane manner as wellas guidelines based on individual laws of each Asian
country on how to repatriate animals in appropriate
locations. Such material should also cover basic husbandry requirements on a species-specific basis.
The use of new technology, especially the widespread use of cellular telephones with the ability tocapture digital photographs and smartphones using
urban 3G networks, should be encouraged. A centralized website for aiding with close to real-time species
identification via photograph sharing software may
prove to be a powerful means of assisting law enforcement officers across the region.

Recommendation

Photo by Rick Hudson

Regional training workshops and exchanges
need to be conducted and best practice manuals
created by NGO’s such as TSA, WCS, and WRS
in conjunction with members of the Tortoise andFreshwater Specialist Group to ensure proper indepth planning and operation of rescue centers.
Existing materials from KFBG could be adapted
for such use.

Recommendation

Simple and easy to use identification materials
and contact networks as well as training manuals
for best practices for dealing with confiscatedturtles should be created by organizations suchas the Asian Turtle Conservation Network as wellas the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist
Group in digital and paper formats in the region’s
relevant local languages.

e.

The use of in-range captive breeding facilities for Burmese
Star Tortoise Geochelone platynota will play an important rolein the re-establishment of wild populations of these tortoises
in Myanmar.

Evaluation of Conservation Actions

With the rapid economic and human population growthin Asia it would be prudent to not wait another ten
years before reconvening this group of specialists. We
suggest that a maximum of five years should elapse
before another meeting is held. It is crucial that theconclusions and recommendations resulting from this2011 meeting be re-evaluated at the next workshop of
the region’s turtle conservation efforts as to best focus
the group’s efforts and assure that these efforts areproperly prioritized.

Recommendation

Meetings of the region’s turtle experts andconservation practitioners should occur at no
greater than five-year intervals.
Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

10

Photo by Brian D. Horne

Burmese Star Tortoise Geochelone platynota, functionally extinct in the wild, is at a turning point of its conservation.
Preparations are underway to begin re-introducing captive bred juveniles into protect habitats within Myanmar’s central dry zone.

f.

Re-introduction Projects

ily in captivity and have AZA (Association of Zoos andAquariums) and EAZA (European Association of Zoos
and Aquariums) managed breeding programs andstudbooks.
It is also important to draw on the re-introduction
and relocation protocols and experiences outside ofAsia, e.g., the Brazilian programs for Giant Amazonian
River Turtle (Podocnemis expansa), numerous European
programs for re-introducing the European Pond Turtle(Emys orbicularis), as well as programs in the UnitedStates that focused on translocations of tortoises in thegenus Gopherus. Yet, it is essential that before such
re-introduction programs begin, illegal collection of animals from the wild for traditional medicine and for thepet trade must be addressed. Viable wild populations
cannot be created unless targeted hunting is halted.

At the first Asian turtle conservation workshop in
Phnom Penh, re-introduction of species from captive breeding programs was discussed particularly forspecies such as the Vietnamese Pond Turtle (Mauremys annamensis). However, this practice has yet tobecome highly adopted. With today’s advances in
captive husbandry, it is now more feasible than ever toplan for such actions. The re-introduction of captive
raised turtles from both rescue centers and assurance
colonies will play an important role in Asian turtle conservation, especially when captive breeding programs
begin to produce more offspring than what can beadequately housed in such facilities. It is imperativethat such programs are well planned and researched as
there will soon be a greater need for implementing suchprograms for a wide number of species. Additionallysuch programs should begin soon so that enough data
can be gathered to evaluate and if necessary adjust
re-introduction protocols.
Two restricted range species, the Vietnamese
Pond Turtle (Mauremys annamensis) and the Roti Island
Snake-necked Turtle (Chelodina mccordi), are goodcandidates for pilot programs aimed at establishingsemi-wild to wild colonies within their former ranges
from captive produced stock from Asia, the UnitedStates, and Europe. Both species reproduce read-

Recommendation

Pilot re-introduction projects need to be initiatedfor these two priority species in the near future
in order that there is adequate time to study
and refine the methodologies for conducting
such projects. Lessons learned from theseprojects then need to be disseminated, modified,and applied to other species and localities.
Organizations such as WCS, TSA, and WRS should
help facilitate and direct these projects.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

11

VI. Taxon Specific Recommendations for CriticallyEndangered Species
needed to locate any remaining wild individuals so that they
may be incorporated into assurance colonies. A male B.
baska was observed in 2010 slaughtered in a market in
Dhaka, Bangladesh suggesting that a few individuals may
still exist in the wild. Historic nesting beaches need to be
identified before local knowledge is lost. Additionally, suchareas need to be protected for potential future release of
captive born animals back into the wild.

Most of Asia’s turtle species are inadequately studied for
effective conservation actions to be properly planned andmanaged. It is imperative that field studies on all CriticallyEndangered species that focus on life history data collection
be initiated as soon as possible. This is especially relevant
when such species are being heavily hunted and theirhabitats destroyed at an accelerated pace. Without basic
information such as diet, movement patterns, and habitat
usage, age to sexual maturity, reproductive potential, nesting
habitat, incubation temperature regimes, and sources ofnatural mortality, successful management will prove to be
extremely difficult, and population restoration measures will
be slowed.
Hence, with the wide spectrum of both field researchand conservation actions needed for the turtles of the region,
we have outlined key activities that are strategically importantin ensuring that no species of turtles goes extinct within theimmediate future. Below is an alphabetical list of species andkey activities that need to be addressed within a five-year
period.

Batagur borneoensis, Painted Terrapin
In addition to the need for establishment of assurance
colonies, little is known about the natural history/biology ofthis species outside of grey literature; therefore, there is aclear need for research to understand its basic biology inthe wild. Unlike other members of this genus, this species
leaves the rivers where it resides most of the year and nests
on ocean beaches, often used by sea turtles at other timesof the year. Habitat conservation and rehabilitation will be
important in the survival of this species. Healthy, intact
rivers will not only benefit this species, but also B. affinis withwhich it often occurs sympatrically. In addition, internationalcommercial trade in the species probably needs to beclosed, through inclusion in CITES Appendix I.

Batagur affinis, Southern River Terrapin
In addition to the need for establishment of assurance
colonies, this species is in a position to benefit from headstarting population supplementation. The protection of entire
nesting sites will be critical to the long-term survival of thisspecies, as B. affinis apparently often only utilizes specificsandbars. In some river drainages, habitat conservation andrehabilitation will be necessary, especially where sand mining
has changed water flow and quality as well as altered or
destroyed nesting areas.

Photo by Sheena Koeth

Batagur kachuga, Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle
Much like the Painted Terrapin, little is known about thenatural history/biology of this species. Truly effective
conservation activities will benefit from research efforts to

Photo by Rupali Ghosh

Batagur baska, Northern River TerrapinThis species has virtually been extirpated from the wild.
Currently there are no known wild breeding populations inIndia, Bangladesh, or Myanmar. Surveys are desperately

Red-crowned Roofed Turtle Batagur kachuga appears to have
only one sizeable population with no verified reports from
Nepal or Bangladesh in recent years.

gather this missing information. A program of community
awareness and education, especially in the areas that still
have nesting populations, is crucial to the continued survivalof these remaining populations. As with almost all of the
Batagur species, a network of assurance colonies both within
its natural range and abroad is needed.

Northern River Terrapin Batagur baska may be one of themost endangered of all turtles as there is currently no known
wild nesting population and only a small number are being
maintained in captivity.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

12

Photo by Cris Hagen

The international pet trade has made Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle Chelodina mccordi extremely rare in the wild. Yet as
habitat remains there is potential for offspring produced at US and European zoos to be re-introduced once anti-poacher
measures are in place.

Batagur trivittata, Burmese Roofed Turtle
Once thought to be extinct, its rediscovery in 2002
underscores the need for additional surveys for this species
so that extant wild populations and their habitats can beeffectively protected. Besides the on-going conservation
efforts on the Chindwin River, there needs to be follow
up efforts for conservation of the remnant population that
may or may not still exist on the Dokhtawady River. Thereis a pressing need to diversify the captive holdings of thisspecies as all of the captive individuals are housed within two
facilities inside Myanmar. No breeding groups exist outsideof Myanmar.

Chitra chitra, Asian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle
Due to the creation of dams, hatching success of wild nests
has been severely reduced because of changes in the flow
patterns of many of the rivers that once supported large
populations of this species. The planned release of large
amounts of water during times of the year when the rivers
historically had low water levels are inundating sandbars that
historically remained above the water line for the entirety of
the nesting season. The developing embryos of this species
cannot survive these inundation events; hence, the low levelsof annual recruitment. Conservation management for thisspecies needs to focus on creative means for preventing
nest inundation as well as reduction of the number of adultanimals hunted each year for human consumption. Although
the species is capable of extremely large clutch sizes captive
breeding for the sake of head-starting turtles is proving to bedifficult as the hatchlings and juveniles are very susceptible
to bacterial infections. In addition, the juveniles are very
sensitive to changes in temperature. It is recommended thatthe majority of hatchlings produced from captive breeding be
immediately released into suitable habitat to avoid the highlevels of mortality often associated with captive rearing.

Chelodina mccordi, Roti Island Snake-necked Turtle
Since its description less than 20 years ago, this extremely
range restricted species (known from a limited numberof shallow wetlands on Roti Island, Indonesia) has beenheavily collected for the pet trade. There is a strong needfor monitoring of these isolated populations as well as
research into the basic biology of this species. Due tothe pressure of the international pet trade, it will requireestablishment of protected areas within its range as well as
habitat conservation and rehabilitation as some of the few
wetlands where it is found have been drained for agriculture
or converted to rice fields. This species would benefit
greatly from strict legal protection and the embargo of allinternational export, both of which are necessary precursors
to the initiation of any reintroduction projects.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

13

Photo by WCS Myanmar Program

Burmese Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle Chitra vandijki isendemic to Myanmar and is in dire need of a range wide
population estimate.

Cuora aurocapitata, Yellow-headed Box Turtle
Described as a new species only a little more than two
decades ago, this species has garnered much attention
by the international pet trade. Although the species wasprobably never abundant in recent times, the collection forthe pet trade has left possibly as few as 150 animals in thewild. It is of the utmost importance that globally integrated
assurance colonies continue to exchange offspring in order tomaintain the highest genetic diversity as possible. Remaining
wild animals need to be both protected and studied as
knowledge of much of the basic biology of this species islacking robust analysis. Specific research attention needs
to be directed at better understanding the reproductive
biology and nesting ecology of both wild and captive animals
so that planning/implementation of programs aimed at
supplementing and/or creating new wild populations canbe most effective. The limited annual reproductive potentialof this species and the small number of founder animals in
breeding programs will slow initial growth of conservation
efforts. Hence, management plans need to be aligned
towards long-term sustained recovery efforts, some of which
may benefit from additional survey efforts. In addition, illegal
trade in this and the other Cuora species noted below needs
to be addressed by a variety of measures, including possibly
uplisting to CITES Appendix I and applying the stronger
enforcement options that this entails.
Photo by Cris Hagen

Chitra vandijki, Burmese Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle
Commercial sand and gold mining, as well as fishing withhigh explosives, are affecting both the near term and longterm survival of this species. Increased environmental
protection of this species’ riverine habitats needs to begiven greater emphasis in the conservation planning forthis species. In addition, further investigations into how
best to rear this species in captivity is warranted. To date
this species has not been bred in captivity and it remains

unknown if, much like the other species in this genus, thejuveniles will prove to be difficult to maintain in modest incountry facilities.

Yellow-headed Box Turtle Cuora aurocapitata is one of the last rare Chinese aquatic Cuora species that are still foundoccasionally for sale in markets and attention needs to be placed on securing remaining wild populations before they are
extirpated.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

14

Photo by Tim McCormack

Indochinese Box Turtle Cuora galbinifrons is an extraordinarily beautiful turtle that has long been prized by hobbyist but it isstill collected in large numbers for the Chinese food markets. In addition to the thousands sold in the food markets each year
similar numbers are sold in the pet markets of southern China, but without expert care many die quickly.

Cuora galbinifrons, Indochinese Box Turtle
Habitat destruction and intensive hunting have caused
rapid declines in this species, and until recently, this species
had low survival rates in captivity. However, with recent
advances in captive husbandry techniques there is hopethat captive breeding may eventually play a larger role inthe conservation of this species. Yet, due to this species’
relatively limited annual reproductive potential, a decreasein the human-induced adult mortality will have the greatest
positive impact on the recovery of wild populations. Hence,
greater protection of the remaining wild populations should
be of the highest priority for this species. This may entail
greater habitat protection along with increased anti-poaching
programs. Surveys to identify additional localities should bea secondary priority.

Cuora bourreti, Bourret’s Box Turtle
Overhunting for food markets has greatly diminished thelargest historical wild populations of this species in Vietnam,
although small populations may exist in Cambodia andLaos. Current breeding projects in Vietnam are having
modest success, although they are outside the naturalrange of the species. However, in order to recover thisspecies to its former population levels, not only will there
need to be greater enforcement of anti-poaching laws via
better targeted patrolling and increased CITES compliance,
the captive breeding programs will need to be on a greater
scale as the females of this species have a relatively limited
annual reproductive potential. Hence, the rate of recovery
for this species will be more heavily reliant on reducing the
mortality rates of adult breeding females in the wild than
supplementing wild populations with head-started captive
born individuals.

Cuora mccordi, McCord’s Box Turtle
Only recently has this species been physically documented
in the wild, thereby verifying the first reports that were based
only on locals making identifications from photographs.
Sadly, it appears that perhaps only a scattered few individuals
may remain in the wild. With approximately 150 animals
remaining in captivity it is extremely important to design andimplement captive breeding programs that will exchange
animals in order to maintain the highest levels of genetic
diversity. Field surveys should be carried out in known site(s)and nearby suitable habitats with an aim to determine thepresent wild status of this species and come up with themost appropriate actions for the wild individuals. Remaining
habitat needs to be set aside and protected for future
reintroduction programs.

Cuora flavomarginata, Yellow-margined Box Turtle
One of the more common species within this genus in termsof sheer numbers, substantial numbers are produced eachyear in commercial turtle farms in China and Taiwan withlittle attention to geographic origin of their stock, this species
has still suffered great declines in wild populations. Yet,some wild populations still exist in China, Taiwan, and Japan(southern Ryukyus Islands) and these should be closely
monitored and protected. Surveys should also be carried out
in the mainland in order to identify viable wild populations forstrict protection and ecological and genetic study as these
populations continue to be under pressure from poachers
hunting for additional wild stock for the commercial turtle
farms. Genetic studies on biogeography of this species areneeded to best determine how to properly segregate captive
populations to assure that regional genetic differences areaccounted for in the captive management of this species.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

15

Photo by Tim McCormack

Keeled Box Turtle Cuora mouhotii is one of the last rare aquatic Cuora species that are still found occasionally for sale in
Chinese markets and attention needs to be placed on securing remaining wild populations of before they are extirpated.

Cuora picturata, Southern Vietnamese Box Turtle
The type locality (area of origin) of this species has only
very recently been reported to science. In addition to thecreation of assurance colonies within the natural range of thespecies, there is a great need to assure that the small wild
population(s) is/are not hunted to extinction. Increased antipoaching programs need to be supported/expanded andefforts need to be made to curb its illegal trade. Following
these actions, in depth natural history studies are warranted.

Cuora mouhotii, Keeled Box Turtle
Although it is a widely dispersed species with numerous
isolated populations, it has suffered greatly due to collection
for both the pet trade and for human consumption alongwith widespread habitat loss. To date wild-caught adultspecimens of this species remain prevalent in Chinese petmarkets. Currently Cuc Phuong National Park in Vietnam isthe only actively protected area for this species although its
range extends west to Assam, India. Additional areas thatstill have viable wild populations need to be identified andeffective protection measures in the field and against illegal
trade need to be adopted. In addition, analysis of genetic
diversity should be conducted to determine if in fact thisspecies is one wide ranging highly phenotypically varying
species or if it is indeed multiple species yet to be described.

Photo by Chen Tien-Hsi

Cuora trifasciata, Chinese Three-striped Box Turtle
Very few animals are believed to remain in the wild, as thisspecies is highly valued in traditional eastern medicine.
Turtle farms in mainland China are continuing to purchase

Cuora pani, Pan’s Box Turtle
Habitat destruction coupled with the pet trade has greatly
affected the population size of this species. These actions
have been particularly damaging, as it appears that thisspecies was never known to be locally abundant within living
memory. Very few specimens of this species in captivity have
known locality data as most were sold into the pet trade
via middlemen with the total known number of specimens
totaling less than 250 animals. No known extant populations
are currently being heavily managed, hence it is a priority toidentify and protect any remnant populations, particularly inthe provinces of Gansu and Shaanxi, and in the Shennongjia
Forest district (some parts of which are a nature reserve) of
the Hubei province. The creation of such protected areas
may allow for future reintroductions of this species from
captive breeding projects as with recent advances in captive
husbandry this species is now breeding fairly well in captivity.

With limited wild populations remaining in Hong Kong andpoaching pressures still very high, uplisting Chinese Threestriped Box Turtle Cuora trifasciata to CITES appendix 1
may be warranted to help prevent the poaching of the few
remaining wild animals.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

16

are producing hundreds of hatchlings per year. However,there needs to be creative planning on how to begin to
return juveniles to areas where appropriate habitat remains.
Community based planning that institutes economic incentives
to the people living within the tortoise habitat may be the best
way to prevent poaching of re-introduced juveniles. Stricter
regulation of trade, including effective enforcement to combat
illegal trade in destination countries, is an essential supporting
measure to reduce poaching.

wild caught animals including some smuggled from Hong
Kong even though such farms literally have thousands ofanimals as breeding stock. The notion that a species is‘conserved’ even when there are no viable wild populationthat can continue to experience natural selection is widely
held and can be a major hurdle for the true conservationof this species. It is imperative that the last remaining
wild populations be afforded greater protection (e.g.,
the population in Hong Kong); including attempts to
reduce poaching pressure by increasing CITES status toAppendix I. Additional actions should include the creationof species-specific reserves and exhaustive enforcement
efforts including anti-poaching patrols in both the field andmarkets. With on-going as well as future genetic work, it will
hopefully be possible to reintroduce animals to appropriate
geographic ranges in the near future.

Heosemys annandalii, Yellow-headed Temple Turtle
This relatively large wetland turtle is often traded in large
quantities, as evidenced by the size of recent trade seizures.
Yet, there are no estimates of the sizes of wild populations.
In addition, to the creation of assurance colonies within
the natural range of the species, greater effort is neededin identifying populations in protected areas for longterm management of viable populations. Targeted local
enforcement and international cooperation is needed toprevent animals from entering the international trade of turtles
to China; transfer to CITES Appendix I would assist this.

Cuora yunnanensis, Yunnan Box Turtle
Thought to be extinct for numerous decades this species
has only recently been ‘rediscovered’ to science. A very
limited number of animals are now being safely guarded ina protected location. Due to the highly justifiable fears oftheft, the exact location of these animals is undisclosed.
Although this species is not highly fecund, captive breeding
will play the central role in its recovery as less than 30
animals are known to exist and the possibility of greaternumbers remaining in the wild is slim. Improved captive
conditions and careful record taking are recommended forthis species to aid future assurance colonies. Furthermore,
it is feared that any remaining wild populations have limited
growth potential due to habitat destruction and the incredible
demand for this species by ‘high end’ turtle hobbyists who
are willing to pay tens of thousands of US dollars for a single
individual. Turtle researchers, wildlife managers, and the local
villagers are monitoring the habitat but further protection
measures are still warranted.

Photo by Brian D. Horne

Heosemys depressa, Arakan Forest Turtle
Only recently rediscovered to science after many decades ofabsence this endemic species has atypically garnered little
sustained interest in the international pet trade. However,export from Myanmar to China for human consumption
continues and this needs to be effectively addressed.
Habitat destruction and local consumption is also playing
a key role in its decline. Recent fieldwork has identified

Cuora zhoui, Zhou’s Box Turtle
With less than 100 animals surviving in captivity (less than
30 are from wild origin) and the absence of verified type
locality information this species has limited chances forrecovery of wild populations. It is of the highest priority forconservationists to find this species in the wild before local
wildlife hunters remove any remaining specimens. Very few
specimens have entered the pet trade in the past several
years indicating that this species is becoming even scarcer
in the wild. With the limited number of animals within AZA(Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and EAZA (European
Association of Zoos and Aquariums) there needs to begreater effort in coordinating with private turtle breeders toassure that important founder individuals are well represented
in the breeding programs. If the type locality is found, it
will be important to immediately create protected areas
for safeguarding the remaining wild animals as well as
maintaining habitat for future re-introduction programs.

Arakan Forest Turtle Heosemys depressa although endemic
to Myanmar is frequently encountered in the markets ofsouthern China.

populations within protected areas that are in need of greater
conservation planning and management. It is a priority tocontinue this field research as well as expand it to include
detailed studies on its reproductive biology and nesting
ecology. CITES Appendix I listing appears justified to enableeffective enforcement once animals are smuggled out of
Myanmar.
Leucocephalon yuwonoi, Sulawesi Forest Turtle
A limited number of field studies have been conducted on
this species with very little being known about the biology
and natural history of this recently described species.
Therefore, research is needed to elucidate specific habitat
requirements of this species as they relate to how best to
design and manage captive assurance colonies. Stricter
regulation of international trade appears needed tocomplement Indonesia’s domestic measures.

Geochelone platynota, Burmese Star Tortoise
Currently, this species is thought to have no viable populations
left in the wild. It has even been effectively eliminated fromtwo protected wildlife sanctuaries. The demand for thisspecies in the high-end pet trade has pushed this species tonear extinction, with captive breeding being the last option to
restoring this species to its functional role in the ecosystem.
Four government-run facilities and one private-run facility

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

17

Photo by WCS Myanmar Program

Asian Brown Tortoise Manouria emys as the largest tortoise in Asia is highly sought after for human consumption, particularly
during Lunar New Year festivals.

Manouria emys, Asian Giant Tortoise
While there is an immediate need for additional surveys
and research on this species, concerted effort needs tobe directed towards education and community awarenessas well as stricter trade regulation and enforcement to
reduce and eventually halt the trade in this species. As alarge tortoise, it is commonly harvested for food, especiallyfor special events and festivals. Habitat conservation andrehabilitation will be needed as considerable logging andforest conversion for agriculture has occurred throughout its
known range.

Mauremys annamensis, Vietnamese Pond Turtle
This species has suffered from habitat destruction that has
coincided with the rapid human population growth in central
Vietnam, which has resulted in much of its habitat being
converted into paddy fields. Additionally the demand forthe turtle’s blood as a traditional remedy for heart disease
has cause wild populations to be under exceedingly highcollection pressure. Yet, approximately 100 hectares ofhabitat near the type locality for the species has been
identified for a reintroduction program and establishment of
a community based wildlife protected area. This program’s
research into how best to conduct re-introduction programs
will provide much needed insight into similar programs for
additional turtle species. The species is currently includedin CITES Appendix II; an evaluation whether it warrants
inclusion in Appendix I is desirable.

Manouria impressa, Impressed Tortoise
Recent advances in captive husbandry as it pertains to
mimicking the tortoises natural diet has resulted in an
increased number of tortoises being produced in captivity.
Thus, there is now greater potential to have assurance
colonies (both within the species natural range and abroad)for this species that was once considered too delicate tomaintain in captivity. However, few autecology studies
have been conducted on this species and no range widecomparisons have been made. The creation of protectedareas specifically for this species is greatly warranted as is
upgrading its CITES status to Appendix I, as this species isstill regularly traded within Asia.

Mauremys mutica, Yellow Pond Turtle
This species is farmed in large numbers but there are now
few reports of finding wild individuals in habitats where
it previously occurred exclusive of Japan. Finding andprotecting remnant populations is a priority for maintaining
genetic diversity of this relatively widely dispersed turtle. In
addition, genetic studies need to be conducted to document
possible differences between populations in Vietnam andChina. As a critically endangered species subject to an
unknown but believed significant level of illegal trade, transferfrom CITES Appendix II to Appendix I would be appropriate.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

18

Nilssonia nigricans, Indian Black Softshell
Once thought to be extinct in the wild, this species has been
confirmed from a handful of localities underscoring the lackof complete distribution data in this part of the world. Further
surveys are needed to potentially locate additional remote
populations. Nest site protection along known rivers isessential for this species survival. As locals gather eggs aswell as eat adult turtles, education and community awarenesswill be necessary. Similar to Nilsonnia leithii, improvements toponds at religious sites, including the creation of adequate
nesting areas, basking locations, and removal of predators ofboth hatchling and juvenile turtles (i.e., large predatory fish),
is highly warranted as often these ponds contain substantial
number of adult animals.

Mauremys nigricans, Chinese Red-necked Turtle
Not seen in the wild for many years, this is another species
for which intensive field surveys are required to ascertain if
any functioning populations remain in the wild. If located,additional research into their basic biology and natural history
could aid conservation efforts. Additionally, phylogenetic
studies are required to identify possible variability within
the species, information that may direct future release andconservation projects. However, this species does breed wellin captivity. Better management of assurance colonies withan aim to produce juvenile individuals for future reintroduction
should be initiated once sufficient habitat has been identified
and properly protected.
Nilssonia leithii, Leith’s Softshell
Much like the other softshells, this species would benefit
from nest site protection, hatch-and-release type programs,
or possibly even head starting. In conjunction with nestsite protection, there is a need for additional surveys andassurance colonies within the species natural range.
The softshells are highly sought after for domestic andinternational trade in their body parts, therefore trade control
is needed along with law enforcement and additional legal
measures. Education and community awareness activities

Pelochelys cantorii, Asian Giant Softshell Turtle
This softshell turtle suffers from a host of issues from habitat
destruction and pollution to over-exploitation of its adults
for meat and calipee for traditional eastern medicine aswell as egg harvesting. This wide-ranging species needs
conservation efforts on several fronts including basic surveys
to better understand its distribution and research into its
basic biology, particularly in the existing protected areas. An
understanding of the genetic diversity is warranted as subpopulations (and possibly species) may exist which would
be important from a management perspective. Because of
its presence in the trade, it is recommended that a Rescue
Center(s) be established to hold animals confiscated due
to increased trade control. These animals can be the basis
for assurance colonies, and/or head-starting programs.
Without cooperation from local communities, these efforts
will fail so an integrated community education program
coupled with nest site protection is needed. This species isalso in need of stricter trade regulation as it is often heavily
traded under the pretense of being a more common species(e.g., being improperly identified as the Asian Giant Softshell,
Amyda cartilaginea).
Photo by Melvin Selvan

Photo by Deepak Veerappan

Orlitia borneensis, Giant Asian River Turtle
Enigmatically this species (the largest hardshelled turtle inSoutheast Asia) is extremely poorly studied. To date, there
is no detailed study on its reproductive biology or nesting
ecology. Furthermore, as a large aquatic turtle it is being
greatly impacted by hunting for export to China. To date no
known viable populations are found within protected habitats;thus, it is a priority to identify populations for the possible
creation of protected areas. Stricter trade regulation andenforcement are also required.

Leith’s Softshell Turtle Nilssonia leithii having been greatly
reduced across its range in peninsular India is lacking indedicated conservation efforts, populations need to be
identified for targeted anti-poaching programs.

along sections of river where this species occurs could
be effective at reducing adult mortality. Nest-site/egg
remuneration programs could help the population grow. In
addition, improvements to ponds at religious sites, including
the creation of adequate nesting areas, basking locations,and removal of predators of both hatchling and juvenile
turtles (i.e., large predatory fish), is highly warranted as often
these ponds contain substantial number of adult animals.

Asian Giant Softshell Turtle Pelochelys cantorii is a wideranging species that requires conservation efforts on several
fronts including surveys to better understand its distribution
and research into its basic biology.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

19

Photo by Kruewan Pipatsawasdikul
Photo by Sung Yik Hei

Adult Big-headed Turtle Platysternon megacephalum are hunted across their range for local consumption and for the foodmarkets in China.

anti-poaching efforts. Due to the isolated nature of thisspecies’ habitat, the taxonomic status needs study to better
direct conservation efforts. Ultimately, better enforcement ofexisting laws at known localities is needed if this species isto remain extant at these sites. Transfer to CITES Appendix
I would assist these efforts, by resulting in increased
enforcement efforts and higher penalties for those caught
trafficking in the species.
Rafetus swinhoei, Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle
With only four known individuals, the situation is dire. The
only known female is currently paired with a male; however,no viable eggs have been produced. One hypothesis forthe lack of breeding success is that the male may be too old
to produce quality and/or adequate sperm. An additional
Photo by Gerald Kuchling

Juvenile Big-headed Turtle Platysternon megacephalum, arestrikingly colored thus there is an escalating number being
removed from the wild to meet the increasing demand in theinternational pet trade.

Platysternon megacephalum, Big-headed Turtle
This highly recognizable species continues to garner highprices on both the international pet market (juveniles) andin food markets (adults). Recently, there has been a rise in
the number of hatchlings for sale in pet markets in China,
but it is highly unlikely that these specimens are resulting
from captive breeding and are more likely a result of a shift inwhat animals are being removed from the wild. Hatchlings
are now commanding higher prices than adults due to theirbright vivid colors that are lacking in the larger adults. Dueto the relatively low annual reproductive potential and the
difficulty in maintaining large numbers of this mountainstream species, conservation of this species should not
rely on captive breeding to supplement wild populations.
Increased efforts to protect wild populations and theirassociated habitat should be prioritized along with increase

Female Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Rafetus swinhoei,
basking at Changsha Zoo, China. One of the last four known
individuals of the species to survive, this is the only known
female, and therefore crucial to the attempt to save thespecies from extinction.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

20

Photo by Ronelito Esuma, KFI

hypothesis is that the breeding pair is being maintained too
far north of its natural range and that this is curtailing sperm
production. Surveys must be conducted across the entire
former range of this species in hopes of locating additional
animals for the breeding program. The establishment ofa Chinese/Vietnamese collaboration to bring together theremaining animals to increase the chances of successful
reproduction and viable eggs may be extremely difficult
due to the political differences between the two countries.
Yet, this may provide the last hope for this species to avoid
extinction.
Sacalia bealei, Beal’s Eyed Turtle
This small stream turtle has garnered little attention by
the turtle conservation community up until this workshop.
Although this species does appear in Chinese food andpet markets it does so in rather small numbers. However,
it is not known if this is the result of a lack of demand forthis species or of its relative rarity in the wild. A recent fieldsurvey in its native habitats in South China has failed to
produce any wild individual. Targeted surveys are needed toestablish both its estimated population size and its current
distribution so that appropriate conservation measures canbe planned and implemented after which the designation ofprotected areas can be enacted. The relatively limited annual
reproductive potential does not make this species a goodcandidate for captive breeding as a primary conservation tool
to increase wild populations. Conservation efforts should
focus on maintaining viable wild populations and reducing
harvest for human consumption and the pet trade, includinginternational trade regulation by inclusion in CITES Appendix
I or II.

With wild populations only recently documented, Philippine
Forest Turtle Siebenrockiella leytensis, is in high demand
from the international pet trade and uplisting to CITES
Appendix I is warranted.

Photo by Cris Hagen

Siebenrockiella leytensis, Philippine Forest Turtle
Wild populations have only been documented relatively
recently. This has spurred a high level of demand for the
species in international pet trade. Although the species isalso hunted for consumption locally, the illegal international
pet trade in this species is the primary factor in its decline,
and CITES Appendix I listing is warranted. Continuationand expansion of community education and locally based
conservation programs is highly warranted. Furthermore, on
going studies on both the turtles’ ecology and reproductive
biology needs to be sustained for the foreseeable future sothat sufficient data can be gathered for accurate conservation
planning. In addition, targeted studies on the turtles’ natural
history are a priority.

Over exploitation of Beal’s Eyed Turtle Sacalia bealei has resulted in drastic declines of animals being reported from the wild.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

21

VII. Life History Data Collection on Species Ranked
as Data Deficient
Recommendation

Eight species are still listed as Data Deficient or in draft
assessment by the IUCN. Targeted population studies
must be initiated to determine if their populations are being
adversely impacted by hunting and/or habitat destruction.
With nearly all species of turtles within the region declining in
numbers, it would be prudent to assume that some of these
species are already in serious decline.

Government, academic, and/or NGO conservationists
should initiate field research including distribution andpopulation estimates and the impact of trade for these
species lacking enough data to determine population
status. Additionally, appropriate reference materials
need to be developed in relevant languages to avoid
confusing species identification.

These species include:
1. Cyclemys dentata, Asian Leaf Turtle;
2. Cyclemys enigmatica, Enigmatic Leaf Turtle;
3. Cyclemys fusca, Myanmar Brown Leaf Turtle;
4. Cyclemys gemeli, Assam Leaf Turtle;
5. Cyclemys oldhamii, Southeast Asian Leaf Turtle;
6. Cyclemys pulchristriata, Eastern Black Bridged Leaf Turtle;
7. Pelodiscus axenaria, Hunan Softshell Turtle;
8. Pelodiscus maackii, Northern Chinese Softshell Turtle.

Photo by Joko Guntoro

With reference to the species in the genera Cyclemys and
Pelodiscus there needs to be more adequate and detailed
guides for distinguishing between the various species, as
they are difficult for the untrained individual to distinguish.

Fieldwork, such as this survey in the swamp forests of Sumatra, is essential to increase knowledge on the status of and threats
to Data Deficient and lesser known species.
Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

22

Acknowledgements

Photo by Eleanor Briggs

We would like to thank the Wildlife Reserves Singapore
Conservation Fund for their generous financial support tomake this workshop possible. We would also like to thankthe Wildlife Conservation Society, Turtle Survival Alliance,
San Diego Zoo Global, the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic
Garden, the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Groupand the IUCN Red-list for their financial contributions to
the workshop. We would like to give a special thank you
to all the staff at Wildlife Reserves Singapore who helped
make this workshop possible. We would especially like tothank Saskia Lafebre who was instrumental as our go-to
person for all things related to the logistics of organizing theaccommodations, food, and venue. Biswajit Guha graciously
helped the workshop become a reality after we first proposed
the idea of it. We would like to extend our appreciation
to people who read and commented on drafts of theserecommendations, including Gary Ades, Bosco Chan, Chen
Pelf Nyok, Paul Crow, Cris Hagen, Markus Handschuh, Rick
Hudson, Jim Juvik, Kahoru Kanari, Gerald Kuchling, Michael
Lau, Myo Myo, Kaylar Platt, Anders Rhodin, and Peter Paulvan Dijk. Finally, a debt of gratitude is owed to Claire Chiang(Chairperson, WRS) who was a strong supporter of theworkshop from the very start.

Turtles are an integral part of both the earth’s biodiversity and human culture. Thus, all efforts should be used to assure thatthey continue to play a role in a wide variety of ecosystems, as well as instill joy and wonder for all generations to come, suchas these children in Sre Ambel, Cambodia holding juvenile Southern River Terrapins Batagur affinis.
Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

23

Table 1 Critically Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater			Turtles of Southeast Asia based on current Red-Listand Draft Assessments including status of Assurance
Colonies and prioritization of Field Surveys.
SpeciesAssurance
Colony(s)*Colony(s) in
Multiple Countries

>5

Y

Y		Y

Batagur baska

0Y

Y**		Y

Batagur borneoensis

>5

Y

Y		Y

Batagur affinisBreeding
Success

Surveys
Needed†Batagur kachuga

0

N

Y		N

Batagur trivittata

2§

N

Y		Y

Chelodina mccordi

>3

Y

Y		N

Chitra chitra

0

N

Y		Y

Chitra vandijki

0

N

N		Y

Cuora aurocapitata

0

Y

Y		Y

1

Y

Y		Y

Cuora flavomarginata

>10‡

Y

Y		N

Cuora galbinifrons

1

Y

Y		N

Cuora mccordi

0

Y

Y		Y

Cuora mouhotii

0

Y

Y		N

Cuora pani

0Y

Y***		Y

Cuora picturata

0

Y

Y		Y

Cuora trifasciata

>5

Y

Y		Y

Cuora yunnanensis

0

N

Y		Y

Cuora zhoui

0Y

Y***		Y

Geochelone platynota

>5

Y

Y		N

Heosemys annandalii

2

Y

Y		Y

Heosemys depressa

0

Y

Y		N

Cuora bourreti‡

Leucocephalon yuwonoi

0

Y

N		Y

Manouria emys

>5

Y

Y		Y

Mauremys annamensis

3

Y

Y		Y

Mauremys mutica

>10

Y

Y		Y

Mauremys nigricans

<3

Y

Y		Y

‡

Nilssonia formosa

0

N

N		N

Nilssonia leithii

0

N

N		Y

Nilssonia nigricans

1

N

Y		Y

Orlitia borneensis

>5

Y

Y		Y

Pelochelys cantorii

0

N

N		Y

Platysternon megacephalum

0

Y

Y		N

Rafetus swinhoei

0

N

N		Y

Sacalia bealei

0

Y

Y		Y

Siebenrockiella leytensis

1

N

N		Y

* Colonies with greater than 25 adult male and 25 adult female founders,** female mated in wild,*** limited number of males being produced,† Need is define by species distribution being largely unknown and/or the act of surveying will greatly reduce the imminent
risk of extinction,‡ A large proportion of these are maintained in commercial turtle farming operations,§ All the founders in one and the majority of the founders in second assurance colony are juveniles
Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

24

Table 2 Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
			of Southeast Asia based on current Red-List and Draft
Assessments including status of Assurance Colonies andprioritization of Field Surveys.
Species
Batagur dhongoka

Assurance
Colony(s)*Colony(s) in
Multiple Countries

Breeding
Success

Surveys
Needed**

0

0

Y

N

Chitra indica

0

0

N

N

Geoclemys hamiltonii

0

Y

Y

N

Geoemyda spengleri

0

Y

Y

N

Hardella thurjii

0

Y

Y

N

Heosemys grandis

<5

Y

Y

N

Heosemys spinosa

0

Y

Y

N

Indotestudo elongata

<5

Y

Y

N

Indotestudo forstenii

0

Y

Y

Y

0

N

Y

N

Mauremys reevesii

>10†

Y

Y

N

Mauremys sinensis

>10†

Y

Y

N

Manouria impressa

0

Y

Y

Y

Nilssonia gangetica

<5

Y

Y

N

Indotestudo travancorica

Nilssonia hurum

<5

Y

Y

N

Palea steindachneri

>10†

Y

Y

N

Pangshura sylhetensis

0

N

Y

Y

Sacalia quadriocellata

0

Y

Y

N

Siebenrockiella crassicollis

0

Y

Y

Y

Vijachelys silvatica

0

N

N

Y

* Colonies with greater than 25 adult male and 25 adult female founders,** Need is define by species distribution being largely unknown and/or the act of surveying will greatly reduce the imminent
risk of extinction,† A large proportion of these are maintained in commercial turtle farming operations

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

25

Table 3 Recommendations From the Red-Listing Session
			for Species That Necessitate Being ‘Up-listed’ to a Higher
Category of Endangered Status.
Species
Batagur trivittata

Previous Status

Proposed Status

EN

CR

Mauremys mutica

EN

CR

Mauremys nigricans

ENCR

Orlitia borneensis

EN

CR

Sacalia bealei

EN

CR

Platysternon megacephalum

EN

CR

Manouria emys

ENCR

Chitra vandijki*

---

CR

Nilssonia formosa

ENCR

Nilssonia leithii

VU

CR

Pelochelys cantorii

EN

CR

Heosemys annandalii

EN

EN or CR**

Geoclemys hamiltonii

NT

EN

Hardella thurjii

VU

EN

Heosemys grandis

VU

EN

Siebenrockiella crassicollis

VU

EN

Indotestudo travancorica

VU

EN

Manouria impressa

VU

EN

Nilssonia gangetica

VU

EN

Nilssonia hurum

VU

EN

Pangshura tecta

LC

NT

Geochelone elegans

LC

VU

*
**

Species not previously evaluated,
Species status still under review

Critically Endangered (CR) is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species. The CriticallyEndangered designation means that a species’ numbers have decreased, or will decrease, by > 80% within three
generations.
Endangered (E) is the second highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species. The Endangered
designation means that a species’ numbers have decreased, or will decrease, by >50% within three generations.
Vulnerable (V) is the third highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species. The Vulnerable designationmeans that a species’ numbers have decreased, or will decrease, by > 35% over the last 10 years or three generations.
Near Threatened (NT) is the category assigned to a taxon when it has been evaluated against the criteria and does not
qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying, or is likely to qualify in the near
future for a threatened category.
Least Concern (LC) is the category assigned to a taxon when it has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify
for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in thiscategory.
Data Deficient (DD) is the category assigned to a taxon when there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect,
assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status. A taxon in this category may be wellstudied, and its biology well known, but appropriate data on abundance and/or distribution are lacking.

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

26

Table 4 Recommendations of CITES Status Changes for			
Asian Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises.
Candidate Species for Inclusion in Appendix I (currently not CITES-listed):Species
Current Status
Country(s) of Origin
Geoemyda japonica
JP
Candidate Species for transfer from Appendix II to Appendix I:
Species
Current Status
Country(s) of Origin
Batagur borneoensis
II
BN, ID, MY, TH
Chelodina mccordi (incl. timorensis)
II
ID [TL]
Cuora aurocapitata
II
CN
Cuora flavomarginata
II
CN, HK
Cuora galbinifrons*
II
CN, VN
Cuora mccordi
II
CN
Cuora paniII
CN
Cuora trifasciata
IICN, HK, LA, VN
Cuora yunnanensis
II
CN
Cuora zhoui
IICN, VN, LA?
Heosemys annandalii
II
KH, LA, MM? MY, TH, VN
Heosemys depressa
II
MM
Leucocephalon yuwonoi
IIID
Lissemys punctata
II
BD, LK, IN, NP, MM
Geochelone elegans
II
IN, LK, PK
Geochelone platynota
II
MM
Manouria emysII
BD, ID, IN, MM, MY, TH
Manouria impressa
II
CN, KH, LA, MM, MY, TH, VN
Mauremys annamensis
II
VN
Mauremys muticaII
CN, VN
Orlitia borneensis
II
ID, MY, BN?
Pelochelys bibroni
IIID, PNG
Pelochelys cantorii
II
BD, CN, ID, IN, KH, LA?, MY, MM, PH, TH, VN
Platysternon megacephalum
II
CN, KH, LA, MM, TH, VN
Siebenrockiella leytensis
II
PH
Candidate Species for Inclusion in Appendix II:
Species
Current Status
Chelodina spp***--Cyclemys spp **--Elseya spp ****--Geoemyda spengleri
III (China)
Hardella thurjii--Dogania subplana--Melanochelys trijuga--Morenia petersi--Nilssonia leithii--Nilssonia formosa--Palea steindachneri
III (China)
Sacalia spp
III (China)
Vijayachelys silvatica---

Country(s) of Origin
AU, ID, PNG [TL]
BD, BN, CN?, ID, IN, KH, LA, MM, MY, PH, SG, TH, VN
AU, ID, PNG [Palau]
CN, LA, VN
BD, IN, NP, PK
BN, ID, MM, MY, PH, SG, TH
BD, IN, LK, MM
BD, IN, NP
IN – possible candidate for App. I
MM – possible candidate for App. I
CN, LA, VN (USA*)
CN, LA, VN
IN – possible candidate for App. I*
Establish introduced population,** All species within the genus,*** both C. rugosa/siebenrocki (species differentiation disputed) and C. reimanni as significantly traded species, otherspecies in genus to be evaluated for look-alike reasons,**** including the genus Myuchelys
AU
BD
BN
KH
CN
ID

= Australia,= Bangladesh,= Brunei,= Cambodia,= China,= Indonesia

IN
JP
HK
LA
LK
MM

MY = Malaysia,
NP = Nepal,
Palau = Republic of Palau,
PH = Philippines,
PK = Pakistan,
PNG = Papua New Guinea,= India,= Japan,= Hong Kong,= Laos,= Sri Lanka,= Myanmar,

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

27

SG
TH
TL
VN

= Singapore,= Thailand,= Timor Leste,= Vietnam

Appendix I. Participant List
Country
Myanmar
Myanmar
MyanmarSingapore
Singapore
Singapore
Singapore
Singapore
Singapore
Singapore
TaiwanThailandThailandThailandThailandThailandThailand
VietnamVietnamVietnamVietnam
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA
USA

Participant Name
Arthur Georges
Rohan Holloway
Gerald Kuchling
Torsten Blanck
Peter PraschagPeter Valentin
SMA Rashid
Sitha Som
Sovannara Heng
Alistair Mould
Rao Dingqi
Zhang Fang
Gong Shiping
Lu Shunqing
Zhou Ting
Zhang Mingxia
Bosco Chan
Jay WanGary AdesPaul Crow
Michael Lau
Sung Yik Hei
Venancio Carvalho
Hinrich Kaiser
Scott Heacox
Khalid Pasha
Shailendra Singh
Mistar Kamsi
Mirza Kusrini
Awal Riyanto
Kahoru Kanari
Chan Eng Heng
Chen Pelf Nyok
Chris Shepherd
Loretta Shepherd
Carrie Stengel

Participant Name
Win Ko Ko
Khin Myo Myo
Kalyar PlattDavid Bickford
Saskia Lafebre
Colin Poole
Leong Tzi Ming
Benjamin Lee
Janice Yap
John Sha
ChenTien-Hsi
Nantarika Chansue
Yodchaiy Chuaynkern
Wachira Kitimasak
Kruwan Pipatsawasdikul
Saowakhon Runruang
Pattarapol Maneeorn
Doug Hendrie
Tim McCormack
Hoang Van Thai
Hoang Van Ha
Christina Castellano
Eric Goode
Cris Hagen
Brian D. Horne
Rick Hudson
Jim Juvik
Charles Landrey
John Mitchell
Bonnie RaphaelAnders Rhodin
Walter SedgwickPeter Paul van Dijk
Andrew Walde

Photo by Andrew WaldeCountry
Australia
Australia
Australia
Austria
Austria
Austria
Bangladesh
Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia
China
China
China
China
China
China
China (Hong Kong SAR)
China (Hong Kong SAR)
China (Hong Kong SAR)
China (Hong Kong SAR)
China (Hong Kong SAR)
China (Hong Kong SAR)
East Timor
East Timor
East Timor
India
India
Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia

Conservation of Asian Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles: Setting Priorities for the Next Ten Years

28

Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)

The mission of the Turtle Survival Alliance is transforming
passion for turtles into effective conservation action througha global network of living collections and recovery programs.
The TSA works in range countries where endangeredchelonian species occur, developing the capacity for turtle
conservation through training and capacity building, andgenerally emphasizing programs with a captive component(head-starting, captive breeding, and rescue). The TSA iscommitted solely to turtle conservation, and operates undera singular, overarching commitment: zero turtle extinctions in
the 21st century.
www.turtlesurvival.org

IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle
Specialist Group (TFTSG)

Established in 1981 by the IUCN and the SSC, the missionof the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group is to
identify and document threats to the survival of all speciesof tortoises and freshwater turtles, and to help catalyze
conservation action to ensure that none become extinct
and that sustainable populations of all species persist in
the wild. The TFTSG provides expertise and science-based
recommendations with conservation relevance covering all
species of freshwater and terrestrial turtles and tortoises, andis the recognized global authority and official IUCN Red List
Authority for the determination of global threat levels for these
species. The TFTSG works closely with the IUCN Red List
Programme to assess, evaluate, and determine appropriate
threat level categorizations for tortoises and freshwater turtles
on the IUCN Red List.
www.iucn-tftsg.org

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wildplaces worldwide. It does so through science, global
Pantone Colour : 3985C
Pantone Colour : 3435C
conservation, education and the management of the world’s
largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship
Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes
towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans
living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because
it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.
www.wcs.org

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS)

Wildlife Reserves Singapore is the parent company of awardwinning attractions Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, Singapore
Zoo and the upcoming River Safari. WRS parks strive to beworld-class leisure attractions, providing excellent exhibitsof animals and birds presented in their natural environment
for the purpose of conservation, education and recreation.
The Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund’s(WRSCF) mission is to protect wildlife and habitats andprovide sustainability through: education and public outreach,
breeding of endangered animals and research and field
conservation projects.
www.wrs.com.sg
www.wrscf.org.sg

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG)

Guided by a mission statement, ‘To harmonise ourrelationship with the environment’, the focus of Kadoorie
Farm and Botanic Garden is on promoting conservationof biodiversity and sustainable living in Hong Kong andbeyond, with programmes on fauna and flora conservation,
promotion of sustainable lifestyles, and awareness-raising in
local schools and communities. KFBG established a Fauna
Conservation Department in 1994, the main goals of which
are to help protect local and regional biodiversity, throughwildlife rescue work, breeding programmes and educational
projects. A particular focus of this has been working to help
conserve the growing number of endangered turtle species in
the region.
www.kfbg.org

On the back cover
Clockwise from left:
Local turtle conservationists releasing a Burmese Roofed Turtle
Batagur trivittata, into the Chindwin River, Myanmar that was caught
and returned by fisherman. Photo by WCS Myanmar Program
Adult Southern River Terrapin Batagur affinis, part of a small
population still surviving in the Sre Ambel River system, Cambodia andthe focus of a long-term conservation project. Photo by Allan Michaud
Chinese Three-striped Box Turtle Cuora trifasciata. This species is sohighly valued in the international trade that very few animals remain
in wild. It is imperative that the last wild populations be afforded thehighest level of legal protection to prevent further poaching. Photo by
Paul Crow, KFBG

Pantone Colour : 3985C

Pantone Colour : 3435C

Held at Singapore Zoo on February 21-24, 2011
Hosted by

In collaboration with

ISBN: 978-981-07-1737-7
View publication stats