Abstract / Excerpt:

Collection for trade is the most significant threat to most species of freshwater turtles and tortoises in Asia making their survival outlook of great concern. Collection and trade of freshwater turtles in Palawan was studied using interviews conducted in September and October 2003 in selected municipalities and in the City of Puerto Princesa. Five species, namely the Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis, the Leyte Pond Turtle Heosemys leytensis, the Asian Giant Softshell Turtle Pelochelys cantorii, the Asian Leaf Turtle Cyclemys dentata, and the Malayan Softshell Turtle Dogania subplana are known to occur in Palawan, of which all are IUCN listed and the trade of the first three species is regulated under CITES. No evidence was found for the occurrence of P. cantorii but interviewees indicated that all other four species are collected in Palawan for either local or international trade, for own consumption, medicinal uses and as pets. C. amboinensis and C. dentata are locally sold for PhP 50-60/individual (US$ 1). D. subplana is collected and eventually also sold (PhP 20-50/ind.) for local consumption within Bataraza. Trade of this species to Japan of unknown extent exists in Rizal, where animals are sold for up to PhP 1000 per individual. It was remarkable to find numerous H. leytensis in captivity since this species is critically endangered and CITES regulated. H. leytensis is collected for subsistence consumption and lately also for the international pet trade. It is locally sold for PhP70-100 per animal. Its recent rediscovery and its reputation as being extremely rare make it extremely valuable in the international pet trade.

Full Text

Collection for trade is the most significant threat to most species of freshwater turtles and tortoises in Asia making their survival outlook of great concern. Collection and trade of freshwater turtles in Palawan was studied using interviews conducted in September and October 2003 in selected municipalities and in the City of Puerto Princesa. Five species, namely the Southeast Asian Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis, the Leyte Pond Turtle Heosemys leytensis, the Asian Giant Softshell Turtle Pelochelys cantorii, the Asian Leaf Turtle Cyclemys dentata, and the Malayan Softshell Turtle Dogania subplana are known to occur in Palawan, of which all are IUCN listed and the trade of the first three species is regulated under CITES. No evidence was found for the occurrence of P. cantorii but interviewees indicated that all other four species are collected in Palawan for either local or international trade, for own consumption, medicinal uses and as pets. C. amboinensis and C. dentata are locally sold for PhP 50-60/individual (US$ 1). D. subplana is collected and eventually also sold (PhP 20-50/ind.) for local consumption within Bataraza. Trade of this species to Japan of unknown extent exists in Rizal, where animals are sold for up to PhP 1000 per individual. It was remarkable to find numerous H. leytensis in captivity since this species is critically endangered and CITES regulated. H. leytensis is collected for subsistence consumption and lately also for the international pet trade. It is locally sold for PhP70-100 per animal. Its recent rediscovery and its reputation as being extremely rare make it extremely valuable in the international pet trade.

Info

Source Journal	Agham Mindanao
Journal Volume	Agham Mindanao Vol. 1
Authors	Cetherine Maypa Gavino, Sabine Schoppe
Page Count	8
Place of Publication	Davao City
Original Publication Date	January 1, 2005
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