Quote:
Originally Posted by TORTOISE-WELFARE-UK
Paul, i will get some clarification on this, but as i understand the layout of the Zoo , the conference facility is with the Zoo display area, so once in it maybe? possible to get a quick peep of the new set Display.
I will keep you updated of this when i find out.
Regards Andy (andy1) on behalf of TORTOISEWELFAREUK
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Thanks Andy,
Great work, the Conference has the potential for a really super day out.
I am sure, that Henk Zwartepoorte will have much to tell and with the recent News, a fascinating insight into Zoo collaboration in respect of Chelonia conservation efforts:
Rescued ploughshare tortoises start first European breeding programme
Conservationists are launching the first European breeding programme for ploughshare tortoises in an attempt to create a vital safety net population of the Critically Endangered animals.
Ploughshare tortoises are already being kept in captivity in America, where 20 animals are registered within three institutions, but it is the first time that they are being coordinated to form a breeding population in Europe. It follows a boom in the Asian pet trade, where ploughshares are being sold illegally for high prices, raising further concern for the future of the species.
The ploughshare tortoise is one of the most threatened species on the planet and until now, conservation efforts have focused on saving the species in its home range in Madagascar and protecting its native habitat, where Durrell began working with the species in 1986.
To start the European breeding programme, 13 rescued tortoises have been brought to three respected zoological institutions. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey, Chester Zoo and Rotterdam Zoo are each receiving some of the animals, which were part of shipments that were seized by the Hong Kong government in 2009 and 2010.
Matthias Goetz, Head of Durrell’s Herpetology Department, said: “Thankfully the rescued tortoises were given to the Kadoorie Farm and Botanical Garden (KFBG) wild animal rescue centre, which took great care of them and started working with international partners to identify new homes for the animals. Along with the other two European institutions, Durrell is delighted to be receiving some of the tortoises and playing a part in a new captive breeding programme which aims to save these beautiful creatures from extinction.”
Restricted to small fragments of land in the northwest of Madagascar, the tortoise has historically lost much of its habitat to burning for cattle farming. However, the rarity of the species has made it one of the most sought after reptiles in the illegal pet trade, and individuals are able to command high prices in the markets of South East Asia and beyond.
Matthias said: “Sadly, an increasing number of animals have been smuggled out of Madagascar through South Asian countries where more and more have been seized by border authorities. While it has been possible to repatriate some, this is challenging and if the animals have spent time outside of Madagascar there are disease risks to bringing them back. Equally, establishing a viable international breeding programme for the species has been identified as one of the key approaches to ensuring the species’ survival.”
The European breeding programme will now work alongside the one in America and the dedicated conservation actions in Madagascar. However, Dr Gerardo Garcia, Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates for Chester Zoo, stressed that they would have to be patient while waiting for results from the new arrivals.
He explained: “As with all things associated with tortoises, it will take a while before these animals are ready to breed. They are only young and it will take a few years for them to reach maturity. But what is important is that the European breeding programme has now started and in the future, seized ploughshare tortoises will form part of an international safety net population, should the worst happen to the remaining tortoises in Madagascar.”
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Ploughshare tortoises
The ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) is one of 4 highly threatened Madagascan chelonian species, which also include the radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), flat-tailed tortoise (Pyxis planicauda) and the spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides).
Restricted to the bamboo scrub dry forest of North West Madagascar, the entire known range of the ploughshare is within the Baly Bay National Park. Previously the main threat to the tortoise came through habitat loss and degradation from cattle encroachment and burning. But now the leading cause of their decline is the illegal harvesting for the international pet trade. As one of the rarest tortoises in the world, this species can command high values on the black market.
Durrell leads conservation efforts for the ploughshare tortoise in Madagascar; working with government authorities and international partners to manage and protect their remaining habitat in Baly Bay National Park; local communities to reduce pressures on the species and managing a captive breeding and reintroduction programme which has released 65 animals back to the wild. Earlier in 2012, the first babies of released animals were discovered in the wild showing that the release programme is being successful.
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is an international charity working globally to save species from extinction. Headquartered in Jersey, in*the Channel Islands, Durrell focuses on the most threatened species in the most threatened places.
Durrell’s philosophy emphasises the need for our three core conservation pillars to work together: a wildlife park in Jersey as a centre of animal husbandry and knowledge, disciplined management of conservation programmes in the field and an International Training Centre to build conservation capacity. **Durrell’s belief is that lasting and effective wildlife conservation can be achieved where these three components are in harmony.
Rotterdam Zoo
Wildlife Conservation is one of the three most important aims of Rotterdam Zoo.
Important to note are the 90 breeding programmes for threatened species the zoo is participating in including 10 programmes the zoo is coordinating herself. The educational component in this is of great value.
Worldwide several in situ projects are supported in majority concerning species present in the Rotterdam Zoo collection, namely the in situ/ex situ link.
Rotterdam Zoo represents the European branch of the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA). The TSA is working on a worldwide network of assurance colonies for endangered turtle species.
Rotterdam zoo’s collection holds several endangered freshwater turtle and tortoise species. A large number of these species have been and are still reproduced during the past few decades including a number of Asian freshwater turtle species and* the Madagascar radiated tortoise and the Madagascar spider tortoise.*
Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo is a registered conservation charity that supports projects around the world and closer to home in Cheshire. Welcoming 1.4 million visitors a year, it is the largest zoo in the UK; home to 7.000 animals, 400 different species, many of which are endangered.
Chester Zoo is also the driving force behind Act for Wildlife, a wildlife conservation campaign led by Chester Zoo, helping to save endangered species around the world from extinction.
www.actforwildlife.org.uk