Studbook breeding programme Manouria emys (Asian brown tortoise)

Transcription

1 Studbook breeding programme Manouria emys (Asian brown tortoise) Annual report 2008 Martin van Wees, studbook keeper Henk Zwartepoorte, co studbook keeper KvK nr

2 ESF Studbook/Breeding programme for the Birmese Brown Tortoise Manouria emys and M. phayrei.. Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Current Studbook population 3. Births 4. Deaths 5. Transfers 6. Imports 7. Discussion 1. Introduction: Manouria emys is the largest tortoise in Indo Malaysia and the fourth largest in the world. In Manouria emys two subspecies are recognized; M. emys and M. e. phayrei. M. e. emys was first described by Schlegel and Muller in Subspecies M. e. phayrei is later in 1853 described by Blyth. In recent years some authors consider both subspecies as full species. Both taxa can be recognized easily by the formation of plastral scutes, however this is sometimes difficult in hatchlings. M. e. emys is ranging from Peninsula Malaysia, Sumatra to Borneo while M. e. phayrei ranges from Assam, India to Myanmar, Bangladesh and central Thailand. There is integration between the two subspecies from southern Thailand to northern Malaysia. M. e. emys is reaching a maximum carapace length of about 50 cm and weighs 20 kg; M.e. phayrei reaches a maximum length of 60 cm and weighs about 25 kg. During the 8ties and 9ties the both species were heavily collected in their whole habitat range and exported to Europe, USA and Japan. Reproduction was reported by both the private and zoo sector. However hybridisation between both species also occurred. The fact that both species became more and more endangered in the wild (see also point 6.1) and the fact that hybridisation took place were reasons to initiate a studbook/breeding programme. 2. Current Studbook population: The studbook was started in the course of the year 2008 and it took some time to trace the animals kept in EAZA institutions and private collections. During the 9ties the species were bred by the Glasgow Zoo in Scotland and from 2002 by

3 the Barcelona Zoo and more recent also by several other EAZA zoos and privates. The Glasgow zoo offspring was transferred to other institutions and to private in the UK. As the Glasgow Zoo kept both M. emys and M. phayrei it is very well possible that after a few breeding results of pure M. emys also hybrids were bred between both species. After closing of the Glasgow Zoo at least a number of the offspring was transferred to private collections. Recently the studbook was informed about these transfers. The studbook now (March 2009) has a reasonable good overview of where specimens are kept. Between January and March 2009 a total of (111) are entered into the Sparks software. The large numbers of offspring is bred by 4 EAZA institutions and one private (see births). 2. Births. The first breeding results were reported by the Glasgow Zoo. In 1991 and were born. Of not all it is 100% sure that they are pure bred M. emys. Further inquiries will have to make this clear. By the Barcelona Zoo between 2002 and births are reported. At the Rotterdam Zoo between 2006 and 2007 respectively 1 and 12 births are reported. At the Düsseldorf Zoo/Löbecke Museum between 2007 and 2008 respectively 26 and 11 births are reported. At private studbook location Bauer in births are reported and during animals were born. 3. Deaths. At the Rotterdam Zoo the 2006 hatchling died several months after birth; the plastron never completely closed and finally got infected. The animal died without observing taking food. At the Düsseldorf Zoo one 2007 born hatchling died one month after birth; a cause of death is unknown. December 1, 2008 one Hong kong/eaza animal died at location Bauer. This was the last remaining animal at location Bauer; the other three animals died in 2003, 2004 and Transfers. Several transfers were carried out. From the Rotterdam Zoo 4 CB specimens moved to private location Vogt. The Düsseldorf Zoo sent CB specimens to the Leipzig Zoo, 7 were sent to the Rostock Zoo and 13 were sent to a private keeper in Germany. Private participant and breeder Bauer transferred and 2008 CB specimens to 7 different private keepers. The 8 privates will be approached to become ESF studbook participant.

4 5. Imports. The studbook is not aware of any recent imports. For further information on imports during the 8ties and 9ties see figure 1 under point Discussion. 6.1 Conservation status: Asian fresh water turtles and tortoises are under immense pressure from habitat destruction and human exploitation. Manouria emys and M. phayrei are not an exception. From most records concerning its distribution and numbers in the wild, it seems to be fragmentally distributed and rather rare where occurring (Moll, 1989). No density estimations exist for this species. A lot of pressure is caused by logging, palm oil industry and export to China for human consumption in particular during the 9ties. The species is listed in the category Endangered under the criteria A 1cd+2cd, on the IUCN red list of threatened species (IUCN, 2003). Until 2000 M. emys was listed as vulnerable by IUCN (1996). The export quota from Peninsula Malaysia was raised from 200 wild caught specimens in 2001 to 500 in 2002 and 500 in During 2002 and 2003 the export numbers did not reach the allowed export quota indicating that the numbers in the wild drop. See also figure 1. This all seems like a paradox as the species was moved from the vulnerable to endangered red list by IUCN only a year earlier. Peter Paul van Dijk (pers. comment) estimates that in 50 years the species might count only a dozen viable populations in protected area in its whole range. Imports of the species are now totally banned in the European Community (EC nr. 349/2003). This has shifted the trade to Japan and the United States Figure 1: Export quota from Malaysia and Indonesia between 1996 and 2007 Year Quota Export Country ? Malaysia ? Malaysia ? Malaysia 450? Indonesia Malaysia 450? Indonesia Malaysia ? Malaysia 475? Indonesia Malaysia

5 475? Indonesia ? Malaysia 475? Indonesia ? Malaysia 475? Indonesia Status in captivity in Europe: According to ISIS (January 2009) the numbers in EAZA institutions are not very high. The total numbers of reported M. emys and M. phayrei is kept by 15 institutions. The unknown number of 84 also regards specimens born in the Barcelona Zoo and Glasgow Zoo between 1991 and These captive born numbers are at least born out of currently kept 15 Dams and Sires specimens originating from imports into Europe before January specimens of M. emys were imported by EAZA originating from the Hong Kong confiscation in December These were transferred to the Barcelona Zoo (3) and to a private collection in München/Germany (4). Only two specimens are still alive at the Barcelona Zoo. Between 2002 and 2008 at the Barcelona Zoo 35 births are reported. At the Glasgow Zoo 23 births are reported from unknown parents and recently the studbook was informed that after an initial pure breeding of M. emys lateron also hybrids between M. emys and M. phayrei are born. The Glasgow Zoo is closed and obtaining more reliable information on this is so far unsuccessful. Research to where the adults as well as the offspring were transferred is still going on. Of M. emys currently 6.9 adults are kept at 4 EAZA institutions and 1.2 at one private collection in München/Germany. Of M. a. phayrei specimens are kept at 3 EAZA institutions. The ISIS figures also show that at Arnhem/Burgers Zoo and Cobosse Zoo only one specimen is kept. Recommendations will be made to change this unbalanced situation. By both the EAZA institutions and the private keeper 17 founder animals of M. emys are kept. Of M. phayrei only are known. These numbers for M. emys are a good genetic basis for the future of a studbook/breeding programme. Hybridisation of both subspecies must be avoid and this is considered an important aim of the studbook for the near future..

6 Reproduction: Manouria emys produces up to 30 eggs. M. e. phayrei up to 50. Nesting behaviour is very distinguishable from other tortoise species. Females built large heaps of debris, leaves and soil in which they deposit their eggs. An aspect that has to be taken into account when deciding keeping the species. Next to the large body size and also because of the high reproduction proper ex situ management is essential. Both aspects are important in a breeding programme with the aim of the establishment of an assurance colony. Aims for 2009: Drafting and publishing husbandry guidelines for both species. A further entering all Barcelona Zoo specimens into the Sparks studbook. The private recipients of the zoo born and Bauer born specimens will be approached to become studbook participant. Recommendations will be made to devide and re devide the CB specimens at the various locations to establish genetic groups at these locations. Drafting a list of relevant references and literature. May Martin van Wees, studbook keeper, Pastoor Bastiaansensingel 75, 4711 EE Sint Willebrord, The Netherlands. Henk Zwartepoorte, co studbook keeper, Lumeystraat 11c, 3039 ZM Rotterdam, The Netherlands. References: Moll, E.O Manouria emys: Asian Brown Tortoise. In I.P. Swingland and M.W. Klemens (eds), The Conservation Biology of Tortoises, Occasional Papers of the I.U.C.N. Species Survival Commission (SSC) No. 5 I.U.C.N., Gland. pp Schaffer C. and V. Morgan Behavioral Observations of Captive juveniles Maouria emys phayrei with Notes on Degrees of Intergradation with Manouria emys emys. Turtle and Tortoise Newsletter, 2000, 5: 2-6. Chelonian Research Foundation.