Asian freshwater turtles threatened by extinction

written by: Thea Sibbern Sorensen and Heidi Torkildsen

  

As one of the worlds oldest creatures still living, the turtles have proved to be extremely fit for survival, and have shown magnificent ability to adapt to environmental changes and challenges throughout millions of years. Formerly all freshwater turtles, which belong to the taxonomic family Chelidae, were called ‘tortoises’. Recently this term is only used on land-dwelling species. Once living alongside dinosaurs and other pre-historic animals, tortoises and turtles can today be found in almost every habitat in the world, ranging from freshwater to seawater, desert and woods. However, it now looks like earth may be about to loose one of its very oldest inhabitants or at least several of the species from this genre of freshwater turtles, within a short period in time unless something is done to stop the recent development.

These ancient reptiles are today facing what seams to be their most severe threat ever, an enemy which the long specialized tactics for survival and hard shells can’t protect them from, humans. And with the human populations constantly growing, the turtles are rapidly decreasing in numbers. In Asia, especially in the South eastern parts, this is clearly visible when looking at the numbers of freshwater turtle species today, as compared to the numbers only a few years ago. More than half of the about 90 species of freshwater turtles in Asia are listed as endangered.

In recent years the populations of freshwater turtles in Asia has decreased dramatically due to extensive trading of turtles for use in food and traditional medicine. Over half of the freshwater turtles in this region are now considered endangered or critically endangered according to several conservation organizations (World Wildlife Found (WWF), TRAFFIC/WWF-UK, the Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), The Asian Turtle Conservation Network (ATCN) and The World Conservation Union (IUCN).) Biologist and turtle conservationist Peter Paul van Dijk of Conservation International gave a presentation on the New York Turtle and Tortoise Society Seminar of 2006, in which he explained the actions taken for preservation and how the future looks for freshwater turtles in Asia. On the seminar, there were listed several demands on behalf of the turtles for long time conservation: Trade control, environmental education in buffer zones, and the raising of people’s awareness are all important issues. There are still protected areas where the turtles can live, but they are in need of immediate conservation measures to protect them. The situation has not improved remarkably even though several programs have been started and steps have been made in the right direction. He also points out that the number of turtle species critically endangered, has more than doubled the last 10 years, according to the list of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

In a recent issue of National Wildlife Federation Magazine, Anthony Mecir has written an article about the endangered turtles, giving a clear picture of the threats against today’s Asian freshwater turtles, also pointing out the reasons behind the situation, giving a cultural and historical view on things. He describes how turtles are captured, sold, smuggled and bread for money all over the Asian continent, and how they are even parts of religious traditions! Mecir also explains about the Chinese food marked, which is in constant growth, and the great financial value of these threatened goods as an export product for the poorer countries in the region. The price of the food from these animals can be 6 times as high as the price of e.g. lamb.

Turtles are used as a source for luxury food and parts of the animal are also believed to cure a range of illnesses, including rheumatism, heart ailments and increasing lifetime to mention some. The jelly of some very rare turtles is in some places believed to cure cancer. In the article we read about actions which are taken to change this unfortunate trading and use of the animals. What can be understood from Mecir’s article is that even though the situation is severe and that exploiting of the turtles is still an extensive problem, there is hope for the populations. New legislations against export from countries such as Singapore and Indonesia, and a general increased knowledge among people for conservation of threatened species are good signs. Mecir, writing from his home in Southeast Asia, gives ideas for what should be done and what needs to be done unless we want these species to disappear forever, like some of them already have. A few are already extinct in the wild, only existing in captivity.

Today several organizations has raised money for, and started extinctive actions to help the Asian freshwater turtles, such as hatching programs, protected areas and legislations. There are education programs for young people to make them learn about the turtles, and by this prevent them from taking advantage of them like the earlier generations. There is still a long way to go, as the turtle populations of Asia are in a very vulnerable phase right now, still showing decreasing population rates and still being attractive on the food market and as an ingredient in trade medicine. However, with the help from hard working people, and organizations spreading their knowledge and working on their side, the turtles may still stand a chance in the future. Only time will tell if they manage to outlive us humans as they did the dinosaurs.

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://www.traffic.org/news/turtles.html

http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=80&articleID=1188

http://nytts.org/nytts/sem2006.htm