Population, Ecology, and Threats to Two Endemic and Threatened Terrestrial Chelonians of the Western Ghats, India

Abstract

The Western Ghats part of the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka hotspot harbors two endemic terrestrial chelonians, the Cochin forest cane turtle Vijayachelys silvatica and the Travancore tortoise Indotestudo travancorica. Population estimates as well as information on the scale and intensity of threats for these chelonians are largely unavailable. This study attempts to address these gaps for two hill ranges of the Western Ghats. Thirty random quadrats at eight forest ranges were surveyed for chelonians and their carapaces recording any found en route and also during opportunistic surveys. Three live V. silvatica and 38 I. travancorica were subsequently encountered and had overall densities of 0.006 and 0.03 individuals per hectare, respectively. These chelonians were found at quadrats with lower light intensity and soil temperature. Nine carapaces were found during the field surveys: seven the result of human consumption, one trapped in a pit, and another consumed by a wild animal. In addition to field surveys, household surveys in 26 indigenous and nonindigenous human settlements resulted in the observation of one V. silvatica and 38 I. travancorica including a carapace. Roads were surveyed to assess the threat they posed to chelonians, resulting in the observation of two I. travancorica road kills. Increased interactions and discussions between the management authorities and local communities need to be promoted if chelonian conservation is to improve in the landscape.

Traditional harvesting practices employed for freshwater turtles by the indigenous communities along Shilabati River, West Bengal, India

“…In Jangal Mahal area another festival, 'Bandh Bibaha' is held in which turtles, tortoise and frogs are released in ponds and dams (Sarkar & Modak 2022) for mating, which is also a positive intention of villagers towards animal conservation. Kanagavel & Raghavan (2013) in Western Ghats, India reported that larger chelonian species were consumed immediately after harvesting and smaller ones were reared until those reached the desirable size for consumption. In contrast, in the present study it was seen that large sized turtles were kept in small water-filled cemented tanks with their legs tied for consumption during the forthcoming festivals.…”