ENHANCE COOPERATION FOR TURTLE AND TORTOISE SPECIES CONSERVATION AT XUAN LIEN NATURE RESERVE

From July 13 to 15 of 2022, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), Xuan Lien Nature Reserve and foreign experts from Dalton State College (USA), Nature museum Senckenberg (Germany), Parc animalier de Sainte-Croix (France) cooperated to conduct field survey, assess habitat and threats to turtles and tortoise. The cooperation aimed to improve the effectiveness of monitoring and studying turtles and tortoises.

From left to right: Impressed tortoise (

Manouria impressa

), Indochinese box turtle (

Cuora galbinifrons

), and Big-headed turtle (

Platysternon megacephalum

)

While in the forest, study team found 03 species, including Indochinese box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons), Impressed tortoise (Manouria impressa), and Big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum). These animals are classified as Critically Endangered and Endangered in IUCN* Red List of Threatened Species (2022). Simultaneously, the team used radio tracking equipment to monitor the trail and activity of Indochinese box turtles (Cuora galbinifrons), thus evaluate its adaptability and development.

Survey team record signs of adaptability and development of each turtle and tortoise species

For the forthcoming activities, CCD will cooperate with individuals, organizations, and Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to conduct surveys on other areas for thorough assessment of Testudines in the Reserve. In addition, CCD and Xuan Lien will organize communication events to raise the public awareness and responsibility in protecting wildlife at Xuan Lien.