Conservation Biology of the Royal Turtle

In Cambodia, the species is called the Royal Turtle, because their eggs are considered a great delicacy and were once collected by locals for kings. In the past these turtles were protected to some extent by a royal decree making it illegal to kill them -- anyone doing so was severely punished. Sadly, today they are seen as a source of food or an opportunity to earn some money in the market, where turtle meat can fetch around 2,000 riel a kilo. The species is now on the verge of extinction.

Under the direction of Wildlife Conservation Society and the Department of Fisheries, experienced turtle hunters were approached to form a conservation team. The average monthly income of five ex-hunters was supplemented by US$40 each, as an incentive to focus attention on hunting the turtles for conservation rather than for food or sale. A full-time boat driver was employed and a representative from the local Department of Fisheries was assigned as a coordinator. A sense of pride and prestige has been instilled in the members of the conservation team. This can also be seen throughout the community, with many local fishermen now happy to hand in turtles they catch rather than eating or selling them. The socio-economic situation of many people still requires that they eat what they catch, but more and more are able to subsist without resorting to hunting wildlife.

Effective conservation requires knowledge of the requirements of the species of concern -- what foods does it eat, from where does it obtain them, what are the extent of its movements, do its requirements differ with season, where does it nest and what are the nesting requirements, what are the threats, how do they act, and how can they be mediated? This project aims to provide the necessary scientific underpinning for effective conservation action.

We are using radio-tracking techniques to follow individual turtles released after they have been passed include to authorities after capture, and complementing this information with capture records. A particular focus is on the nesting, as it is possible to locate all nests within a breeding season. It appears that there may be only 5 or 6 breeding females in any given year. Nests are protected from natural predators by erecting cages and protected from human poaching by stationing guards on beaches throughout the breeding season. We hope to learn much of their breeding biology by observing these nests. How many eggs do they lay, and how many times does each female lay. Is there evidence that the females are new breeders, with clutch and egg sizes increasing from year to year and "infertility" rates decreasing. Is the sex of the offspring determined by incubation temperature, and if so, what are the consequences of the current beach site selection by these few females on sex ratios? Can we use molecular techniques to assess the number of breeding females contributing to each year's egg production, and is there evidence of multiple paternity?

This project will require a combination of good science, good on-ground intervention and management, solid community support and long term committment of government and non-government agencies to the work. The conservation team regularly visits communities and schools along and near the river, presenting information verbally, with posters, and with River terrapin exercise books. The local and international significance of the River terrapin in Cambodia is discussed, as are the efforts of the conservation team. Six billboards that have been erected along the rivers and roads surrounding Sre Ambel outlining the plight of the Royal Turtle and the joint action required to bring about a secure future for this important species.

For further information, contact

Rohan Holloway, PO Box 890, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Phone +855 (0)12670003 Email "surname"@aerg.canberra.edu.au