Turtle Survival Alliance News - November 19, 2010

Turtle Survival Alliance Newsletter Emergency Measures for Batagur in Bangladesh November 7, 2010:  "We succeeded in securing an additional three males however we missed saving one male by 5 minutes as it was slaughtered at the market.  If we had been just a few minutes earlier we could have stopped it from being slaughtered, but unfortunately we arrived after they had already started chopping the plastron off." These were the anguished words of Brian Horne after leaving the weekend turtle market in Dhaka, Bangladesh in what he would later describe "as one of the worst days of my life, the whole experience left me feeling numb." Working with Ms.. Rupali Ghose (pictured), Brian was plying the turtle markets on behalf of TSA to secure additional breeding stock of the Sundarbans river terrapin, Batagur baska, recognized as one of the most threatened of Asia's large river turtles, ranking just behind the Yangtze giant softshell, Rafetus swinhoei. The Sundarbans Batagur is believed to be functionally extinct with only a few isolated specimens remaining in the wild, a victim of chronic and intensive fishing pressures and egg harvesting at nesting beaches. Biologists are hard at work on behalf of the TSA in Bangladesh, vigilant for any opportunity that arises to acquire additional stock for a captive program, most likely the species' only chance for survival.  Indian Workshop is a Success Recently the Indian Turtle Conservation Program (ITCP), in association with Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and IUCN/SSC Tortoises and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group hosted the "Indian Freshwater Turtle and Tortoises Conservation Priority Areas & Initiatives" workshop and core-group meeting. The main objectives of the meeting were to review the implementation of the 2005 TSA/MCBT "Conservation Action Plan for Indian Endangered Turtles and Tortoises" and to discuss and prioritize important turtle areas for conservation action across India, while reviewing their potential to support new programs. Participants also were tasked with identifying competent local partners and collaborators for key turtle conservation initiatives. Click here to read the full story. Put a Turtle Under their Tree Avoid long lines and crowded malls this year, while supporting turtle conservation. Gift memberships are available on the TSA website anytime and they are a great way to give a gift that lasts all year.  We have also slashed prices in the online store on merchandise including t-shirts, limited edition prints and hats. Click here to check out the low prices! Most of these items are only available in limited quantities, so get yours today before they're gone! As a bonus, a 2011 TSA calendar (featuring beautiful box turtle images) will be included FREE with every order while supplies last.