Numerous endangered turtles found in Laos !!!

The Asian Giant Softshell Turtle, Pelochelys cantorii , a relatively rare aquatic turtle, is commonly found in the Xekong River in Attapeu and Xekong provinces, according to a press release from the Vientiane office of the World Wildlife Fund.
Villagers in this area were unaware of the endangered status of the turtle because it is still frequently observed throughout this basin and well-known to local people living along the river...more

The species is one of the world's largest turtles, and is said to be on the brink of extinction.

“In Vietnam and Thailand , the turtle is nearly extinct, but we are not sure of its status in Laos and Cambodia ,” said the WWF coordinator on species, habitat and ecosystems, Mr Mark Benuijen yesterday.

He said that although the species can breed at least twice a year and lays many eggs, both animals and humans like to eat the eggs, resulting in the turtle's rarity. “If you remove this hindrance to its reproduction, the species population will likely rebound rapidly,” he added.

The press adds that the rare species of soft-shelled turtle was recently also rediscovered in Cambodia , with the identification of an individual weighing 11kg.

Earlier in 2007, specimens of the turtles were found during the WWF's surveys of the Mekong River in northern Cambodia and attracted global media attention.

“This incredible discovery means that a unique turtle can be saved from disappearing from our planet,” said David Emmett, a Conservation International wildlife biologist from the WWF, at the time of the discovery in Cambodia .

“We thought it might be almost gone, but found it in abundance in this one pristine stretch of the Mekong , making the area the world's most important site for saving this particular species.”

Official sightings of this rare aquatic turtle had not been documented in Cambodia since 2003.

The WWF Aquatic Resources Management to Improve Rural Livelihoods in the Xekong Basin Project (ARL Xekong Basin Project) began using photos of the turtle and another soft-shelled species, the Asiatic Softshell Turtle or Amyda cartilaginea (thought to be more common), in discussions with local fishermen throughout the basin.

The results of these discussions were surprising and very encouraging. It was found that Pelochelys cantorii is well-known throughout the basin, and local communities consider it “almost as common” as Amyda cartilaginea .

The WWF's project team discussed specific sightings with local fishermen, and photographed a recently-captured specimen.

Local fishermen stated that both species are sometimes inadvertently captured on long-line hooks targeting fish.

Most turtle species in Laos are listed as “Managed Wild and Aquatic Species” under National Decree 360/2003 (“Management Regulations for Aquatic animals and Wildlife”) and the hunting of these species is closely regulated by law.

Despite this, both species of soft-shelled turtle, as well as most hard-shelled turtles, are highly threatened by local and international trade. There is a strong market demand for turtles caught by local fishermen.

The ARL Xekong Basin Project plans to continue to pursue issues related to soft-shelled turtles, with the help of local communities and management agencies.

This will include raising awareness among local communities about the unique and fragile nature of these species and the potential for community efforts to identify and protect important soft-shelled turtle habitats.

The project is currently working with 30 communities to manage and protect essential aquatic habitat types across the Xekong river basin in Laos.

WWF Laos is also working with local authorities to clarify institutional responsibility for enforcing regulations related to aquatic resource management, and supporting the Department of Livestock and Fisheries in the development of a legal framework for fisheries and aquatic resources management.

By Vientiane Times
(Latest Update September 14, 2007)