An Excert From - "Turtle Survival Alliance Newsletter December 17- 2010"

Belize Mobilizes to Do Something "Transformational" for Hickatee On December 7, 2010, the first ever Hickatee Conservation Forum and Workshop was held at the University of Belize (UB), Belmopan Campus. The event was organized by the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), in collaboration with the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE), the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at UB and the Belize Fisheries Department. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together members of the scientific community, government officials, and Belize's extensive NGO community to share information regarding the Hickatee or Central American river turtle (Dermatemys mawi).

Playing Soccer for Endangered Tortoises TSA Madagascar recently participated in a very special event to raise awareness for the endangered radiated tortoise. A soccer tournament was organized and sponsored in Antananarivo on December 11-12 by Eco-Sys Actions and Salamandra Nature (conservation NGOs) and their partners. The main objective of the event, held at Alarobia Stadium, was to raise public awareness by using soccer - a very popular sport in Madagascar. Flat Tailed Spider Tortoise The Henry Doorly Zoo's Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP), Conservation Fusion, Conservation International and the TSA shared a booth at the event to raise awareness of their work in the region.

Spider Tortoise Research Click here for an article recently published in the journal Herpetologica. The work details some of the spatial mapping work that the TSA has supported to enable a better understanding of the current distribution of the critically endangered Madagascar spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides). The results describe the decline of approximately 80% in the spatial distribution of the northern subspecies of Madagascar spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides brygooi). Despite the worrying decline in range, this work has enabled researchers to identify priority areas for conservation efforts for this threatened tortoise. They are currently using project funds to work closely with one of their partners; the locally based NGO, Blue Ventures (BV) Conservation, within the recently formed Velondriake Community Managed Marine and Coastal Protected Area. BV are driving forward community-based management strategies and environmental awareness programs for the tortoises. BV, in partnership with the community of Lamboara and the Velondriake Management Committee are now developing and implementing a community-driven tortoise monitoring project. A number of tortoise monitors from Lamboara are currently undergoing training within this area, which now represents one of the last remaining strong holds for the northern spider tortoise.

Year of the Turtle Photo Contest Along with our turtle conservation partners, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) announces a photo contest for 2011 Year of the Turtle! We are seeking close-up, digital photos of turtles, preferably in their natural habitats or within an educational or conservation context. One winner will be selected each month to be the featured photo as part of the Year of the Turtle online calendar. Runner-up photos will also be included in the calendar. Additionally, all submitted images will be considered for use in the Year of the Turtle monthly newsletter and website as well as other Year of the Turtle related conservation, outreach, and educational efforts. Give us your best shot! Visit www.yearoftheturtle.org for more information.

The above is an excerpt from the Dec 17th edition of "Turtle Survival Alliance Newsletter!"