BIODIVERSITY AT CARAPAX
The Brussels based RANA Group (Reptiles et Amphibians de la Nature) has created a programme for biodiversity in herpetofauna offering a place to limited numbers of Asian, South American, African and Australian turtles, for which repatriation is excluded at present. CARAPAX has built a new installation with habitat imitations of these areas. At the moment priority is given to the Asian species of which there are about 200 at the Centre. In most cases reproduction is avoided for the moment as there is nowhere for the offspring to go but some species are breeding successfully (indicated by *)
(Mauremys caspica*, Mauremys japonica*, M.mutica*, Orlitia borneoensis, Cuora amboinensis, C.flavomarginata*, C.galbinifrons, Cyclemys dentata, Siebenrockiella crassicollis, Indostestudo forsteni*, Platysternon megacephalum, Ocadia sinensis, Sacalia bealei, Podiscus sinensis, Chinemys reveesi*, Pyxidea mouhoutii, etc.
BREEDING IN SITU
As RANA does with its CARAPAX centre for Mediterranean tortoises, it is preferable to keep and breed Asian tortoises in situ. Therefore plans are in hand to create an Asian centre based along the lines of the set up at CARAPAX in Cambodia and to launch an international public awareness programme. Two CARAPAX veterans have a local basis in Osmosis and are looking into the possibilities there. As Cambodia is extremely poor it needs help from outside and a project with an eco touristic management could be helpful for people and , of course, for chelonians.
CARAPAX – SULCATA BREEDING SUCCESS
The new year began with a great success for the Carapax centre: after a long incubation, from October 2002, the first babies of the giant African Sahel tortoises hatched.
Carapax has kept these tortoises (scientific name Geochelone sulcata) since 1994. Most of these animals living at the centre, originated from a shipment confiscated at Amsterdam airport because of their mistreatment during their illegal transportation from Africa to the USA.
These animals are on the brink of extinction in their hot territories of the African Sahel. They live in the zone where the Sahara desert meets with the large African savannas. Carapax has participated for years in a conservation programme of Geochelone sulcata in Africa.
Three years ago, CARAPAX made the genetic discovery of the existence of two sub-species, one eastern and one western. This resulted in the creation of two breeding groups at the centre. One group of 4 animals (two couples) originated from "Mali" in western African and the other originated from Ethiopia and the Sudan. This second group, nearly extinct in nature, consisted until 2002 of three females and one male. The male is the 45 kg mascot of CARAPAX, named Camillo. Camillo has several problems: he is short-sighted and nearly blind, probably due to the constant exposure to the strong African sun during his illicit transportation from the Sudan to Egypt, from where he was exported with falsified CITES documentation and therefore confiscated and then entrusted to the RANA-CARAPAX group.
With this sad past, Camillo had no intention of reproduction and the attempts of experts to help with this problem, were fruitless.
In May 2002 CARAPAX made an agreement with the British Chelonia Group, whose members kept a few animals of this type, amongst which there was a male, nicknamed "Beaky" by the English. Beaky entered the scene in style : transported by a VIRGIN Aircraft, in the cabin as if he was a human passenger; he became the subject of a BBC report as there were BBC reporters on board to report on the Airlift from UK to Italy, Massa Marittima.
Beaky did not waste any time when he saw Camillo’s three wives and his efforts resulted in 72 eggs put in the CARAPAX incubator with temperatures that imitate those of the African soil.
“Beaky” the former BCG owned male, with his first born at the Carapax Centre.
In the beginning of February the very first babies were born, an absolute first. It is hoped to launch a similar centre to CARAPAX in the horn of Africa: proposals have already reached us from Somalia.
The Sulcata babies hatching. At the time of going to press there have been 34 successful hatchings
For the other sub-species a large centre has already been constructed in the protected zone of Noflaye in Senegal. It will be inaugurated on the 23rd June of this year, as part of the World Congress for the Conservation of Chelonia. The new centre was created with the backing of the Senegalese Government, the European Union, the FAO, the IUCN, the Canadian Consul in Senegal and many other institutions The project aims to protect, study, breed and re-introduce the species back into nature. The running of the centre is entrusted to the FDR (Foundation for Rural Development) and it is based on the eco-tourtistic model of the TORMED centres, as is CARAPAX. Already an entire Senegalese village earns a living thanks to this centre. It is no exaggeration to say how much the Senegalese are convinced by this initiative.
African students will come to Carapax this year for training which they will use in their homeland when returning there.
At Carapax we are proud of these naturalistic developments and of the collaboration between the peoples of this unique planet for the protection of our unique environment and its rich biodiversity. (Translation: Alan Spinney)
PHOTOGRAPHS: by courtesy of Dr D Ballasina
ARTICLE FROM NEWSLETTER 154
THE FLYING TERRAPINS
On 21st May, our Conservation Officer, Bob Langton, (a retired RAF Wing Commander) was alerted by Kevin Buley (ex Head of Reptile Department at Jersey Zoo and now based at Chester Zoo) that three Red-eared Terrapins needed to be found a new home. This in itself was not unusual - but what was novel was the location of the terrapins. They were based at AI Kharj in Saudi Arabia and were the mascots of the RAF Support Engineering Flight detachment there. The detachment was being disbanded and brought home - where were Terry, Teeny and Tiny - three happy terrapins - going to end up?
Once Wg Cdr Bob Langton learned of the problem he made contact with the RAF engineering HQ in Saudi Arabia and told them about the BCG CARAPAX initiative for rehoming unwanted UK terrapins to the European Centre for Chelonia Conservation in Tuscany run by Dr Donato Ballasina. The RAF were satisfied that this was the best may of dealing with their reptile problem and Bob made contact with Flight Sergeant Tim Cooper, the guardian of the terrapins at AI Kharj. All was going well with the arrangements until we hit a snag. Terrapins were not officially regarded as military mascots according to the Regulations. Horses, donkeys, goats and dogs yes, but reptiles - no! Therefore the terrapins could not be put aboard the scheduled flight to RAF Brize Norton.
Then a solution was found. An E3D aircraft was being used to bring home some of the RAF personnel, their luggage and freight to RAF Waddington near Lincoln on Sunday V June. Special permission was granted by the Captain for the terrapins to be included in the luggage of Corporal Tommy Trinder.
The last part of the jigsaw fell into place when Paul and Joy Birch, who spend much of their free time collecting terrapins, were "scrambled" to speed off to Waddington to collect the precious charges. The aircraft duly landed on the Sunday afternoon - and Paul and Joy were invited to meet the aircraft and collect the terrapins, comfortably m rapped in damp pillow slips and each in its own cardboard box. Within two or three hours each was happily swimming in their own tanks at the home of Paul and Joy. In a few weeks' time they will be prepared for another flight - this time to a permanent home at the CARAPAX Centre in Italy where they will spend the rest of their lives. Bob has personally sponsored Terry, Teeny and Tiny in view of their RAF connection. This was an excellent example of RAF and BCG co-operation which for the records was entitled "Operation RAF Turtle Airlift".
ARTICLE FROM NEWSLETTER 155
THE 2003 APPEAL "CARAPAX"
NEWS FROM CARAPAX
PRESS RELEASE: Stolen tortoises and turtles at CARAPAX
During this summer, there have been a number of chelonia thefts from Carapax, the European Centre for Conservation of Chelonians. As a result of these most serious of crimes against endangered species, the local Carabinieri was called in and full scale investigation commenced. Following excellent work by the Carabinieri and the volunteer workers of the CARAPAX Centre, a person has been arrested and charged with offences of theft. He was convicted and sentenced 3 months. A total of 156 animals were stolen, however, 40 were later recovered in two different places in the vicinity of Rome.
To assist these enquiries, John Hayward, who is ex Police Detective Inspector in the UK and trained in international CITES regulations, has been called in. He has spent two days at CARAPAX and all of the security arrangements have been reviewed.
John has had meetings with the authorities and the staff at the CARAPAX Centre. He is in liaison with INTERPOL and the CITES Secretariat in Geneva. He remarks "These are the most serious crimes and offences against those most endangered species and highly detrimental to the current breeding programmes. The people of ltaly should be proud of all the excellent work carried out by everyone at CARAPAX. The thieves are cruel and callous people. They should go to prison for many years and should be made to pay much compensation to CARAPAX for the danger they have caused to the welfare of the animals. If anyone is offered any of the following species, please telephone the local police or CARAPAX (+39.0566.94.00.83 - fax +39.0566.90.23.87 e-mail carapax@tcometanet.it):
Aquatic species: Chelydra serpentina, Terrapene carolina caroline, Tc.triunguis, Tc.mayor, Emys orbicularis, Graptemys pseudogeographica.
Terrestrial species: Testudo hermanni hermanni, T.h.boettgeri, Tg.ibera, Tg.graeca, T.marginata, T.weissingeri, T.horsfieldi.
It is not the value of the animals. It is their future safety and welfare.
John Hayward, Co-ordinator National Theft Register, Exotic Species
Tel/Fax: +44.1869.325699. Mobile: +44.7802.404929. e-mail jh@supanet.com
PS: WILL MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE THAT NO BCG ANIMALS WERE AFFECTED BY THE THEFTS.
CARAPAX OPEN DAY
On the 20th September 2003 CARAPAX had an "Open Day" from 9.00 am till 18.00pm. On that occasion the BIODIVERSITY CENTRE was officially inaugurated by the Minister of the Environment, Mr.Altero Matteoli and the Vice-Minister Roberto Tortoli. The day, was a great success and was followed by a party for the hard working staff and volunteers.
Any one wanting to make a donation towards the Carapax appeal and the Louisiana project can do so by making out a cheque or postal order to the "British Chelonia Group" and sending it to: The Membership Secretary BCG, P.O.Box 1460, Bedworth, CV12 9ZR.
ARTICLE FROM NEWSLETTER 160
AIRLIFT TO CARAPAX, ITALY.
“THE LOUISIANA PROJECT”
The airlift of 4th July was a double UK consignment of 72 animals collected over May and June. After microchipping and a veterinary cheek the animals were transported overnight via Euro Tunnel to Brussels Airport and from there on the first flight to Milan, where a refrigerated van by courtesy of the Italian RSPCA was waiting to transport the animals to Carapax. The transport included 80 terrapins from the Belgian cooperates, two iguanas and two crocodiles, plus five tortoises joining breeding groups at Carapax.
The BCG is getting an alarming number of requests of animals needing adoption. These are animals found wandering on the road, fished out of rivers and ponds and therefore not sponsored by owners. These animals can still go to Carapax if they are adopted. An adoption certificate with a photograph of the terrapin can be obtained from the membership secretary (see below) on receipt of a cheque or postal order of £25. You may adopt as a single person or a group of people and for a single animal or more.