“Project Batagur baska Efforts to save one of the rarest ...
1
“Project Batagur baska”: Efforts to save one of the rarest terrapins of the world Anton WEISSENBACHER 1 , Rupali GHOSH 1 , Regina PFISTERMÜLLER 1 and Peter PRASCHAG 2 1 : Vienna Zoo, Maxingstraße 13B A-1130 Vienna [email protected] 2 : Am Katzelbach 98, A- 8054 Graz, Turtle Survival Alliance [email protected] INTRODUCTION Once, the Northern River Terrapin, Batagur baska, was widely spread in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It belongs to the three most endangered turtle species worldwide (Rhodin et al. 2011). Adult females are larger than males and can reach a carapace length of 60 cm and a weight of up to 27 kg . Less than 10 females are known and populations in the wild were not yet located. In 2009, after almost 3 years of field work Peter Praschag and Rupali Ghosh were able to locate the first three animals in local fish breeding ponds where they have been kept for years, sometimes decades as a symbol of fertility, for egg harvest and tasty meat (Moll et al. 2004). Since then Rupali Ghosh continued her search for animals, purchased them from the fishermen and brought them to the in Bhawal National Park, assigned by the Forest Department from Bangladesh. With currently less than 30 known adult individuals the species can be considered ecologically dead and unable to survive without major ex situ and in situ conservation efforts. Batagur baska – female Batagur baska - male B. baska at sale to the project by a local fisherman, currently priced at € 38,-/kg. “PROJECT BATAGUR BASKA” The only specimens outside of their natural range live at Vienna Zoo: two pairs and - following the first breeding success of B. baska in captivity worldwide (2010) - two juveniles. In 2010, Vienna Zoo initiated “Project Batagur baska” (which soon got official support by WAZA and IUCN) and joined the conservation team consisting - among others - of TSA (Turtle Survival Alliance) and CARINAM (i.e. an NGO in Bangladesh) and the Forest Department of Bangladesh. In autumn 2011 a team from Vienna Zoo and TSA visited the breeding center in Bhawal National Park, where all individuals that could be traced down until now (14 males, 5 females) are kept in a protected area. Within a few days and supported by the local community all specimens of the center were examined and marked with transponders. To encourage breeding success a facility was completely rebuilt and an artificial breeding sand bank was added to one of the two ponds. Data loggers were exposed in the breeding center as well as in areas previously occupied by B. baska. To enhance sustainability a zoologist and a keeper (from the local community) were hired to permanently take care of the terrapins. IMPORTANT FIRST STEP AGAINST EXTINCTION This year, between March 22 and April 15, all 5 females have nested, using the improved sand bank that was provide. Prior to egg laying our team had trained staff on proper egg handling and incubation techniques, and oversaw the conversion of an artificial incubation facility. All five nests were protected with heavy wire cages designed to deter predators, and remote thermometers were installed to monitor incubation temperatures. The Bangladesh team did a credible job of monitoring the clutches through incubation, and communicated with us daily on their findings. All this care and attention to detail paid off when the eggs began to hatch on June 7, after 64 days of incubation. All total, 27 hatchlings emerged from the five nests, not bad given the compromised nutritional condition of two of the recently acquired females. Twenty-four hatchlings survived and are growing rapidly in the newly renovated hatchling facility. All total, 24 new B. baska have been added to the dwindling population, significantly bolstering this species’ outlook for survival. With such a small number of breeding females the challenge next will be to set up breeding pairs or trios to maximize the genetic potential of as many wild-caught founders as possible, and to closely manage this small population according to studbook guidelines. All nests were protected against monitor lizards and mongoos. 2 weeks after hatching at Vienna Zoo: egg-tooth is still visible Improving a sand bank for egg laying at Bhawal National Park All B. baska at Bhawal National Park were examineted and marked B. baska at hatching. 3 of 24 B. baska hatchlings- a first important step for surviving of this species Project Batagur baska is supported by
Transcript of “Project Batagur baska Efforts to save one of the rarest ...
“Project Batagur baska”: Efforts to save one of the rarest terrapins of the world
Anton WEISSENBACHER1, Rupali GHOSH1, Regina PFISTERMÜLLER1 and Peter PRASCHAG2
1: Vienna Zoo, Maxingstraße 13B A-1130 Vienna [email protected] 2: Am Katzelbach 98, A- 8054 Graz, Turtle Survival Alliance [email protected]
INTRODUCTION Once, the Northern River Terrapin, Batagur baska, was widely spread in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It belongs to the three most endangered
turtle species worldwide (Rhodin et al. 2011). Adult females are larger than males and can reach a carapace length of 60 cm and a weight of up to
27 kg . Less than 10 females are known and populations in the wild were not yet located. In 2009, after almost 3 years of field work Peter Praschag
and Rupali Ghosh were able to locate the first three animals in local fish breeding ponds where they have been kept for years, sometimes decades
as a symbol of fertility, for egg harvest and tasty meat (Moll et al. 2004). Since then Rupali Ghosh continued her search for animals, purchased
them from the fishermen and brought them to the in Bhawal National Park, assigned by the Forest Department from Bangladesh. With currently
less than 30 known adult individuals the species can be considered ecologically dead and unable to survive without major ex situ and in
situ conservation efforts.
Batagur baska – female Batagur baska - male B. baska at sale to the project by a local fisherman, currently priced at €
38,-/kg.
“PROJECT BATAGUR BASKA” The only specimens outside of their natural range live at Vienna Zoo: two pairs and - following the first breeding success of B. baska in captivity
worldwide (2010) - two juveniles. In 2010, Vienna Zoo initiated “Project Batagur baska” (which soon got official support by WAZA and IUCN) and
joined the conservation team consisting - among others - of TSA (Turtle Survival Alliance) and CARINAM (i.e. an NGO in Bangladesh) and the
Forest Department of Bangladesh. In autumn 2011 a team from Vienna Zoo and TSA visited the breeding center in Bhawal National Park, where
all individuals that could be traced down until now (14 males, 5 females) are kept in a protected area. Within a few days and supported by the local
community all specimens of the center were examined and marked with transponders. To encourage breeding success a facility was completely
rebuilt and an artificial breeding sand bank was added to one of the two ponds. Data loggers were exposed in the breeding center as well as in
areas previously occupied by B. baska. To enhance sustainability a zoologist and a keeper (from the local community) were hired to permanently
take care of the terrapins.
IMPORTANT FIRST STEP AGAINST EXTINCTION This year, between March 22 and April 15, all 5 females have nested, using the improved sand bank that was provide.
Prior to egg laying our team had trained staff on proper egg handling and incubation techniques, and oversaw the conversion of an artificial
incubation facility. All five nests were protected with heavy wire cages designed to deter predators, and remote thermometers were installed to
monitor incubation temperatures. The Bangladesh team did a credible job of monitoring the clutches through incubation, and communicated with us
daily on their findings. All this care and attention to detail paid off when the eggs began to hatch on June 7, after 64 days of incubation. All total, 27
hatchlings emerged from the five nests, not bad given the compromised nutritional condition of two of the recently acquired females. Twenty-four
hatchlings survived and are growing rapidly in the newly renovated hatchling facility. All total, 24 new B. baska have been added to the dwindling population, significantly bolstering this species’ outlook for survival. With such a small number of breeding females the challenge next will be to set up breeding pairs or trios to maximize the genetic potential of as many wild-caught founders as possible, and to closely manage this small population according to studbook guidelines.
All nests were protected against monitor lizards and mongoos.
2 weeks after hatching at Vienna Zoo: egg-tooth is still visible Improving a sand bank for egg laying at Bhawal National Park All B. baska at Bhawal National Park were examineted and marked
B. baska at hatching.
3 of 24 B. baska hatchlings- a first important step for surviving of this species
Project Batagur baska is supported by
