As we told you in the last newsletter, plans are finally coming together to import some of the turtles from the February trade confiscation in Hong Kong.  Mortality was high on this group despite heroic efforts on the part of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.  However, the TSA is ready to import a group of 50 adult Yellow-headed temple turtles, Heosemys annandalii, that will expand our assurance colony for this species.  However, air freight was proving cost prohibitive - each turtle weigh from 6 - 12 kg each - and the estimated charges are $11- 12,000 US. 

 

Thanks to your generous response to this urgent appeal, we are now prepared to move forward with this move! We would like to extend special thanks to the Columbus Zoo, who stepped forward with a $7,000 emergency grant from their conservation fund. The TSA would also like to acknowledge the BC Johnson Family Fund LP for sponsoring ten turtles with a $1,500 donation. Many other members also gave, sponsoring one or two turtles, all of whom helped us to reach our goal. We are extremely grateful for your support and are excited about sharing news about the shipment in the near future.

 

On August 5, 2010 the TSA in conjunction with the WCS Myanmar turtle team, released 35 Platysternon megacephalum in the Kyaikhtiyo Wildlife Sanctuary.  The turtles were part of a larger confiscation that had been seized in July and held at the Yadanabon Zoo in Mandalay.  Funds to support the transport of the turtles to appropriate habitat - fast flowing cool mountain streams - were unavailable and the turtle were beginning to perish from high temperatures and stress. 

 

 

The TSA agreed to pay for transport and the turtles were then moved to the protected sanctuary of Kyaikhtiyo, a 180 square mile tropical rainforest reserve in the Mon State that has excellent habitat for big-headed turtles. Due to their specialized habitat requirements, Platysternon have a poor history in captivity in Myanmar. Members of the WCS - TSA turtle team included Win Ko Ko, Tint Lwin and Kyaw Moe.