BURMESE ROOFED TURTLES

 

Burmese roofed turtle

The Burmese roofed turtle (Batagur trivittata), a river turtle native to Burma, now known as Myanmar and other rivers in Asia was thought to be extinct about 20 years ago. Conservation efforts for the species were launched after several individual turtles were rediscovered  including some that have been released back into the wild.

The Burmese roofed turtle (Batagur trivittata) is known for its distinctive smiley mouth, googly eyes, and upturned snout. The female of the species is a more muted color and significantly larger than the males, while the smaller males are light-colored, especially during mating season when they can show off some bright greenish-blue and yellow coloration.

The species was once thought functionally extinct in the wild until a shell from a recently killed turtle was discovered in 2001 near a village on the Dokhtawady River. Following that discovery, live specimens were discovered in a wildlife market in Hong Kong and in ponds in Mandalay. These same turtles formed the backbone for the captive breeding effort that has resulted in some 1,000 turtles.

IMPORTANT POINTS

Species in focus: Burmese roofed turtles (Batagur trivittata)

Population: Less than 10 individuals globally

Current status, according to the IUCN Red List: Critically endangered

Population trend: Decreasing

Myanmar’s Burmese roofed turtle, a highly endangered species that is making a slow comeback, caught worldwide attention this year.

These freshwater turtles are considered one of the most endangered turtle species in the world-they have all but disappeared from their entire geographical range.

Cubango-Okavango River Basin

Cubango-Okavango River Basin

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 Okavango River originates in Angola and flows inland bordering Namibia, terminating in an inland delta in the Kalahari desert Botswana. The Delta constitutes one of the largest Ramsar sites in the world and was designated by UNESCOas its 1000thWORLD HERITAGE SITE in June 2014. It is renowned for its plant and animal life, supporting a tourist industry that is the second largest source of income for Botswana. Until recently the river system was not subject to any large-scale WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, but independence from colonial powers, cessation of civil unrest in Angola and growing aspirations of the basin's three countries mean that development of the river system is inevitable. The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) was created by the Member States in September 15, 1994 and is addressing the challenge of how to develop the river basin for the benefit of all its citizens without unacceptably degrading the nature of this iconic river. Two key early activities were completion of a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis that included an Environmental Flows Assessment, followed by the drawing up of a Strategic Action Programme. There are several International Cooperating Partners supporting aspects of BASIN DEVELOPMENT as OKACOM enters its second term and the Member States recognise the governance and other challenges that lie ahead.

IMPORTANT POINTS

Okavango river

▪︎The Kavango is the name used in Namibia for the famous Okavango river of southern Africa. 

▪︎The river is endorheic, which means it does not meet any other water body. Instead, it flows into the Kalahari desert and forms a vast inland delta.

▪︎The Kavango Basin is a World Heritage and Ramsar Site.