Abstract
We conducted an interview-based survey to investigate the conservation status of large (adult carapace length >400mm) Softshell Turtles (Amyda ornata, Chitra vandijki, and Nilssonia formosa) in the Irrawaddy Dolphin Protected Area (IDPA) of Myanmar during November 2015. Our objectives were to: (1) determine which species of Softshell Turtles occur in IDPA, (2) assess threats to these populations, (3) evaluate the protected area as a release site for captive-bred Softshell Turtles, and (4) make conservation recommendations. To this end, we interviewed 180 people (mostly males) in 30 villages and verified the occurrence of all three species of Softshell Turtles in IDPA. Softshell Turtle populations appear to have undergone precipitous declines during the last 10–15 years largely driven by commercial demand from the illegal trans-boundary wildlife trade with China. Turtle hunting is no longer considered economically worthwhile, but Softshell Turtles continue to be taken as fisheries by-catch. We recommend that existing regulations designed to protect dolphins be enforced, and most importantly electro-fishing be eliminated from IDPA. We also urge authorities to revisit earlier proposals to reduce or eliminate the use of monofilament gill netting in IDPA. Implementation of a community-based fisheries plan to address these issues is warranted. In lieu of effective action, Softshell Turtle populations in IDPA face almost certain extirpation in the near future. IDPA is currently considered unsuitable as a release site for captive-bred Softshell Turtles.
Highlights
As in Irrawaddy Dolphin Protected Area (IDPA), large Softshell Turtles in Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (ILWS) remain subject to illegal harvesting and mortality associated with fisheries by-catch is common (Kuchling et al 2006)
The two large species (A. ornata and N. formosa) in Myanmar would be expected to occur with the giant species (C. vandijki) but not with each other, a prediction inconsistent with the results of our survey
Platt et al (2005) found no evidence of microhabitat partitioning between A. ornata and N. formosa in the upper Ayeyarwady River, with fishermen reporting the capture of both species from the main river channel
Summary
Wflidlftief sanctuarfeis, and other protectedareasotenfgiurepromfinentlyfinsuccesstful specfeisconservafionstrategfeis(Stohlgrenetal.1994; Bruneretal.2001;Castellanoetal.2003). As one of the few protected riverine corridors in tropical Asia (Smith & Mya Than Thun 2007), the Irrawaddy Dolphin Protected Area (IDPA) has the potential to play a key role in the conservation of large Softshell Turtles in Myanmar. Nothing is known concerning the conservation status of Softshell Turtles in IDPA It is unclear which species (if any) occur within the protected area, and if these turtles are threatened by over-exploitation, egg harvesting, or destruction of critical nesting habitat. In 2005, a 74km stretch of the Ayeyarwady River from Mingun Pagoda in the south to Yay Daw Pagoda at Kyauk Myaung in the north (Image 2), was designated as the IDPA by the Myanmar Department of Fisheries (Fisheries Notification Act 11/205) to safeguard a population of the Critically Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris [Owen in Gray, 1866]; hereafter “dolphin”) (Smith & Mya Than Thun 2007). Fisheries Notification Act 11/205 designated the boundaries of the sanctuary, prohibits the killing of Irrawaddy Dolphins, bans any trade in dolphin parts, requires fishermen to immediately release any dolphins accidentally captured
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