Professional Documents
Culture Documents
97
Turtles on the Brink in Madagascar: Proceedings of Two Workshops on the Status, Conservation, and Biology of Malagasy Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles
Christina M. Castellano, Anders G.J. Rhodin, Michael Ogle, Russell A. Mittermeier, Herilala Randriamahazo, Rick Hudson, and Richard E. Lewis, Eds.
Chelonian Research Monographs (ISSN 1088-7105) No. 6, doi: 10.3854/crm.6.a17p97 2013 by Chelonian Research Foundation, Lunenburg, MA, USA Published 30 October 2013
Abstract. The Radiated Tortoise, Astrochelys radiata, was once abundant in the southern region
of Madagascar, however, its original range distribution has decreased by more than 40% over the
past decade. This rapid decline is a result of habitat loss, poaching for both local consumption and
illegal sale in international markets, and the degradation of local taboos or beliefs that once protected
these endemic creatures. One of the last remaining strongholds of Radiated Tortoise populations
identified is the Lavavolo Classified Forest located in the Toliara region of southwestern Madagascar.
The community of Lavavolo is made up primarily (99.5%) of fishermen and subsistence farmers,
depending upon the surrounding environment for survival. This region is dry and xeric, therefore
deficient of resources, clean water, and lacks basic education. As humans are undeniably a major
threat to these tortoise populations, they must also be an integral part of the solution. Here, we
present the successful implementation of community-based outreach and education engaging local
Malagasy as stakeholders in tortoise conservation, as both humans and animals coexist and thrive
as a result of conservation initiatives.
Key Words. Reptilia, Testudines, Testudinidae, Astrochelys radiata, Radiated Tortoise, conservation education, community outreach, Madagascar
One of the emblematic species of the dry spiny forests
of southern and southwestern Madagascar (Fig. 1) is the
Critically Endangered Radiated Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata; IUCN 2011). This tortoise species, known as sokake
or kotroky in Malagasy, is threatened by illegal pet trade,
collection for international food markets, habitat destruction, and harvesting for domestic consumption (Durrell
et al. 1989; Nussbaum and Raxworthy 1998; OBrien et
al. 2003; Leuteritz et al. 2005). Illegal hunting camps that
harvest Radiated Tortoises operate as a year-round business,
and confiscations of hundreds of individuals are reported
annually in Madagascar and Asia (Rioux-Paquette et al.
2009).
Loss of tortoise habitat is driven predominantly by
deforestation for agricultural land and charcoal production
(Nussbaum and Raxworthy 1998; Harper et al. 2007). Even
though the spiny forest produces an extremely poor quality
wood, it continues to be sacrificed for the production of
charcoal, and subsequently overgrown with invasive prickly
pear cactus (genus Opuntia). Harper et al. (2007) estimated
an overall reduction of spiny forest cover from 30,298 km2
to 21,322 km2 during the period between 1970 and 2000,
with an annual rate of loss of 1.2%. Unfortunately, these
98
Figure 1. The Radiated Tortoise derives its name from the radiating pattern of lines on its carapace. It is known locally in Madagascar as the sokake or kotroky. Photo by Tsilavo Rafeliarisoa.
Figure 2. Xeric conditions in southern Madagascar require innovative solutions to provide basic needs, such as water, to local people. The water hippo roller can transport more than eight
times the amount of water, in less than half the time, versus the
traditional bucket method. Photo by Tsilavo Rafeliarisoa.
The daily monitoring and evaluation of the Radiated
Tortoises in this region provided baseline data on populations and additional protection against poaching activities. The employment of local people collecting this data
results in a beneficial coexistence between humans and
endangered biodiversity and was highlighted in the CF
educational outreach programs. To affect local ownership
and sustainability brought on by environmental conditions and long term poverty, the RTP initiated scientific
and community based pilot programs and assessments
that included the following concerns: habitat evaluation
and restoration, Radiated Tortoise diet in pristine vs.
impacted habitat, and the potential development of economic engines. Complementary to these pilot programs
were efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of desalination
technologies and water acquisition and transport, potential for cash and food crops, and biofuel methodology
of local resources. These activities were reinforced with
CF educational activities to include teacher training,
movie nights, conservation camps, school programs, and
community outreach with villages to include a festival
99
Figure 3. More than 600 children participated in the tortoise festival Kotroky-O-Rama, along with teachers, village elders, government representatives, and local law enforcement. Presentations were given by school children to include original poems and songs about
conservation and taking responsible action towards protecting Radiated Tortoises. Photos by Tsilavo Rafeliarisoa.
Figure 4. More than 700 local students participated in conservation education games, art projects, and songs to create a sense of pride
and ownership in the Radiated Tortoise. By learning the treasures their country possesses, they are more likely to protect them. Photos
by Megan McGuire.
100
Figure 5. During conservation camp, children and teachers accompanied MBP researchers and CF staff into the spiny forests to learn
more about the biodiversity in their own backyard. Children utilized tools such as magnifying glasses and binoculars to experience how
scientists and Malagasy students collect data about the tortoises and their environment. Local children do not touch the tortoises due to
a local taboo, however, they are committed to protecting them from poachers. Photos by Megan McGuire.
Figure 6. Movie nights, powered by a generator, provide community members a rare glimpse of themselves participating in education
programs, with images of themselves being projected larger than life as conservation heroes. Photo by Dave Stock.
101
102
103
ONG. Financial support was provided by Zoos and Aquariums Committed to Conservation (ZACC) and the Margot
Marsh Biodiversity Foundation. Educational materials were
the result of countless volunteer hours through our partnership with the University of Nebraskas Student Community
Leadership and Service Department. We would also like to
acknowledge the Turtle Survival Alliance, Turtle Conservation Fund, and the Radiated Tortoise Species Survival Plan
Fund for their enthusiastic and financial support for seeing
this project through to completion. Finally, we appreciate
the reviewers constructive criticism, comments, and suggestions.
Rsum
La Tortue Radie, Astrochelys radiata, tait autrefois
abondante dans la partie sud de Madagascar. Toutefois,
son aire initiale de distribution a diminu de plus de 40%
au cours de la dernire dcennie. Ce dclin rapide est la
consquence dune perte dhabitat, du braconnage pour la
consommation locale et pour les ventes illicites sur le march
international, ainsi que de la perte des tabous et croyances
locaux qui protgeaient auparavant ces cratures endmiques.
Une des dernires forteresses connues pour les populations
de Tortues Radies est la Fort Classe de Lavavolo situe
dans la rgion de Toliara dans le sud-ouest de Madagascar.
La communaut de Lavavolo est majoritairement (99.5%)
compose de pcheurs et de petits cultivateurs, dpendant
de lenvironnement qui les entoure pour survivre. Cette
rgion est sche et xrique, donc manquant de ressources,
deau potable, et lducation de base est absente. Puisque
les hommes constituent indniablement la plus grande
menace pour ces populations de tortues, ils doivent faire
partie intgrante de la solution. Nous prsentons ici la mise
en uvre russie de sensibilisation et dducation base
communautaire impliquant des Malgaches locaux comme
parties prenantes dans la conservation des tortues. En effet,
humains et animaux coexistent tous deux et spanouissent
grce aux initiatives de conservation.
LITERATURE CITED
Bruce, N., Neufeld, L., Boy, E., and West, C. 1998. Indoor biofuel
air pollution and respiratory health: the role of confounding factors
among women in highland Guatemala. International Journal of
Epidemiology 27:454458.
Bryden, M., Still, D., Scott, P., Hoffa, G., Ogle, D., Bailis, R., and
Goyer, K. 2005. Design principles for wood burning cook stoves.
Aprovecho Research Center, Cottage Grove, OR.
Du Puy, D.J. and Moat, J. 2003. Using geological substrate to identify
and map primary vegetation types in Madagascar and the implications for planning biodiversity conservation. In: Goodman, S.M. and
Benstead, J.P. (Eds.). The Natural History of Madagascar. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, pp. 5174.
Dolins, F.L., Jolly,A., Rasamimanana, H., Ratsimbazafy, J., Feistner,
A.T., and Ravoavy, F. 2009. Conservation education in Madagascar: three case studies in the biologically diverse island continent.
American Journal of Primatology 71:116.
Durrell, L., Groombridge, B., Tonge, S., and Bloxam, Q. 1989. Pyxis
arachnoides: Madagascar spider tortoise; Tsakafy, Kapila. In: Swing-
104