Conserving Cambodia’s Royal Turtle

Southern River Terrapin

(Batagur affinis)

IUCN 级别

LC 无危

CR 极危

EX 灭绝

The challenge

Saving a rare turtle protected by royal decree

The Southern River Terrapin is one of the rarest turtles in the world and it is also Cambodia’s national reptile. The species were poached for their eggs and meat until they were presumed extinct in Cambodia until 2001, when a small population was re-discovered along the Sre Ambel River, in Koh Kong Province. This area is protected by royal decree which strictly prohibits hunting of the species. Although there has been more than 15 years of in-place conservation efforts, the wild population has not significantly increased because there are illegal threats from human disturbances, including sand dredging.

The goal

Restoring wild populations in their natural environment

Addressing these challenges, WCS in partnership with the Cambodian Fisheries Administration aims to restore the wild population of this species to reach their former ecological function within their mangrove, riparian vegetation habitats and associated waterways of Southern Cambodia. WCS has a multi-year partnership with Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) to begin gathering data necessary for creating an adaptive management plan for the entire aquatic-ecosystem that the turtles inhabit.

Our role

A collaborative approach to save the species

WCS has extended its long term partnership with WRS to focus on the recovery of the Southern River Terrapin in Cambodia. The team aims to increase the wild population, as well as the population currently housed in the WCS head-starting program at its new facility in Koh Kong Province via reintroductions, anti-poaching patrols, and nest site protection. WCS continues to work with the Community Fisheries establishment through mapping the micro-habitats that the released turtles are utilizing and through participatory consultation meetings and interviews with local communities.

The outcome

A landscape approach to protecting wildlife & communities

WCS’s plan will aid in the transformation of this species-specific conservation program to a broader landscape level initiative for this region of Cambodia. As mangrove habitats and associated wetlands are particularly vulnerable to climate change and are vital for food security of local communities, this initiative will have a far-reaching impact on both wildlife and the human populations living in Koh Kong province.