Effects of Human Settlements on Abundance of Podocnemis unifilis and P. expansa Turtles in Northeastern Bolivia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Podocnemis unifilis and P. expansa abundance was compared at 3 sites in eastern lowland Bolivia in 2000. Two of the sites were adjacent to human communities while the third was not. The comparison was made to examine effects of hunting pressure on turtle abundance. Data suggest that hunting pressure has a negative effect on the abundance of Podocnemis turtles and it is more severe closer to human communities. The greater abundance at a less-hunted site suggests that turtle populations facing reduced hunting pressure may be recovering.