HARVEST SUSTAINABILITY OF SPINY TURTLE Heosemys spinosa IN INDONESIA
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF FOREST PROTECTION AND NATURE CONSERVATION REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA as CITES MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY INDONESIA
September 2008
HARVEST SUSTAINABILITY OF SPINY TURTLE Heosemys spinosa IN INDONESIA1 INTRODUCTION Heosemy spinosa (Gray, 1831) was included in the CITES Appendix II since 2002. This species was categorized by the IUCN as ‘Vulnerable’ in 1996 and has been uplisted to ‘Critical’ in 2000. Until 1994, this species had been listed as ‘insufficiently known’ by IUCN, suggesting that the population number and biological information of this species is poorly understood. As for the protection status in Indonesia, currently this species is not protected under Indonesian law. At the twenty-third meeting of the CITES Animals Committee (AC) held in Geneva on 19-24 April 2008 (Agenda Item 8.5), the AC agreed that H. spinosa was included in the Review of Significant Trade. This document explains the current situation of the population and harvest of this species in Indonesia.
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION H. spinosa (Family Geoemydidae, Order Testudines) is a semi-aquatic freshwater turtle, native to southern Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, the Philippines (Mindanao Island), and Indonesia (Auliya 2007, Iskandar 2000). It is restricted to small and isolated populations over much of its range, although there is a lack of data for some areas (Asian Turtle Trade Working Group 2000). In Indonesia, this species has a relatively wide distribution in the western part of this country (Sundaland bioregion), including in Sumatra and its satellite islands (i.e., Natuna Islands, Mentawai Islands, Riau Islands), and Kalimantan (Liat & Das 1999, Iskandar 2000, ARCBC 2005).
BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION The genus Heosemys comprises five species: H. depressa, H. grandis, H. leytensis, H. silvatica and H. spinosa (Mueller 1998, CITES 2002). Indonesia has only one species, the H. spinosa. H. spinosa is also known as Spiny Hill Turtle, Sunburst Turtle, or Cog-wheel Turtle. The origin of its common name derived from the sharp, pointed, spiky-edged carapace, and spiny keel. There are also smaller spines on the pleural scutes, creating the effect of a walking pin cushion. It is believed that the spines deter enemies (such as snakes and other predators) from swallowing it. This unmistakable, strongly-serrated carapace edge and spiny keel become worn down and are lost with age, so that larger individuals are much smoother than juveniles (Fig. 1) (ARCBC 2005, Auliya 2007, Iskandar 2000). Despite the fact that this species is widely distributed in the Southeast Asian countries, scientific research on this species is extremely rare. Estimation of population size in Indonesia has never been conducted. The available information and current knowledge of this species are mostly derived from captive, either in the range countries or in other countries. The species is a medium size turtle with a carapace length reaching 23 cm (Liat & Das 1999, Auliya 2007) and the mass of adult species range from 1.5 – 2.0 kg (ARCBC 2005). The carapace is reddish-brown in juveniles, and brown in adults; the plastron is yellowish-brown, with each plastral scute having dark radiating streaks. Limbs are grayish-brown, usually with a yellow spot behind the eye. Adult males possess longer and thicker tails than adult females (ARCBC 2005).
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Prepared by Ani Mardiastuti, Senior Fellow of Naha, email:
[email protected] NATUREharmony - promoting a balance between development and conservation
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Fig. 1. Heosemys spinosa juvenile (left) showing spiny keel, which worn out in adult (right). Photo by Hellen Kurniati (left) and Ani Mardiastuti (right).
H. spinosa is active by day, primarily herbivorous and in general inhabits lowland and hill rainforest with high humidity, usually in the vicinity of small streams, mainly in hill areas up to 900 m, and generally stay under the leaf litter or burrowed under plants and leaves (Liat & Das 1999, Iskandar 2000). Young H. spinosa may be more terrestrial than adults (ARCBC 2005). Nesting behavior is unknown in the wild. In captivity, mating behavior is apparently stimulated by rains, with males becoming excited when sprayed with water in captivity, chasing females in an attempt to mount. The females lay 1-3 eggs per clutch, usually at night or in the early morning. Up to three clutches have been produced a year, and to enable the passage of these relatively large eggs, a hinge develops in the female's plastron to allow greater flexibility during egg-laying. Incubation periods last from 106 to 145 days. This unique turtle has a reputation of doing poorly in captivity and not recommended for beginners. Many specimens have been very reluctant to feed and mortality has been relatively high with imported specimens (Mueller 1998, The Asian Turtle Consortium 2004).
HARVEST AND TRADE Production areas of H. spinosa in Indonesia are Sumatra and Kalimantan. In Sumatra, this species seems rather easier to found in the southern part of this island (i.e., West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, Lampung), although North Sumatra also has been listed as a major production area as well. In Kalimantan, most specimens are originated from West Kalimantan, even though a few specimen also has been produced from East Kalimantan Province. Harvest number of H. spinosa is always low compare to other sympatric freshwater turtles in Sumatra such as Southeast Asian Box Turtle Coura amboinensis, Asian Leaf Turtle Cyclemys dentata, Malayan Flat-shelled Turtle Notochelys platynota and Black Marsh Turtle Siebenrockiella crassicollis (Kurniati 2008), indicating that this species is considered rare in Sumatra, and probably also in Kalimantan. Kurniati (2008) reported that 80% of the specimens captured in Sumatra were originated from forest habitat and the rest were captured from paddy field or rubber plantations near conservation areas.
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Although H. spinosa basically is a forest species, hunters sometimes find this species in canal or ditch around paddy field near forest edges. Harvest is conducted by intensive searching and direct collection in their habitat during the day. When natural food is scarce, capture can also be done by creating a hole trap near streams or rivers, baited with rotten vegetables and fruits (Hellen Kurniati, pers. comm.). The normal size of specimens captured by hunters is starting from 5 cm (in carapace length). Hunters reported that specimens can have a carapace length up to 30 cm. The domestic market chain for this species is basically similar to that of other wild-harvested species. Specimens in the wild are captured by hunters. Hunters sell the specimens to small collectors, and the small collectors sell the specimens to larger collectors or to exporters. Hunters can also sell them directly to the exporters. Normally there is no pre-finance involved in the market chain. Transaction is simple, on a cash and carry basis. H. spinosa is traded as pets, mostly exported to the USA, and some to Japan. The preferred size for the international market is 6-7 cm up to 10-12 cm (carapace length), when the spiny keel is optimally developed. All specimens traded are originated from the wild. Some breeding operations in Indonesia have been breeding this species in captivity, but so far the number of captive bred specimen is quite low. The exporters seem not too eager to sell or breed this species, as the price is relatively low (USD 20-25).
SUSTAINABILITY OF TRADE Indonesia has been a Party to CITES since 1978. As H. spinosa is listed in the CITES Appendix II since 2002, the trade of this species is regulated accordingly. A quota number is set by the Scientific Authority (Indonesian Institute of Sciences) as the basis of harvest level. Since 2003 until 2007, the quota of this species has been set constant at 1,800 heads, although in one time (year 2001) the quota reached 4,500 heads. Realizing the difficulties in finding this species in the wild, coupled with low demand of this species for pet in the international market, Indonesia drastically reduced the 2008 quota down to 450 only (Table 1). Traders of reptiles and amphibian in Indonesia have created an association called IRATA (Indonesian Reptile and Amphibian Traders Association) since 1991. Initially the members consisted on traders in tannery and finished product. Later on in 1995 pet traders joint the association. Currently IRATA’s membership can be categorized as live reptiles (pets), tannery, and finished product. Now IRATA has 18 pet exporter members (IRATA 2008), of which 9 companies are listed as exporter of wild captured H. spinosa. The export quota was divided among these exporter members by IRATA, using criteria set by the CITES Authority. Export quota of H. spinosa for each company is presented in Table 2. Breeding operations of H. spinosa in Indonesia have been started since 2004. Currently there are 4 companies listed to breed this species (i.e., PT Alam Nusantara Jayatama, CV Prestasi, CV Terraria Indonesia, and CV Pasundan), but so far only one company (CV Pasundan) has produced specimens ready for export (Table 3).
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Table 1. Quota and export of Heosemys spinosa from Indonesia. (Source: Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Ministry of Forestry). Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 *up to mid September
Quota (heads) 2,000 4,500 2,250 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,800 1,800 450
Actual Export (heads)* 1,985 3,338 1,467 1,308 1,800 1,452 792 1,021 336*
Table 2. Export of Heosemys spinosa by all companies in 2006-2008 and export quota for each company in 2008. (Source: Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Ministry of Forestry). No.
Company Name 2006 150 280 75 50 65 72 100 0 0 792
1 PT Mega Citrindo Indonesia 2 CV Terraria Indonesia 3 PT Alam Nusantara Jayatama 4 CV Herpafauna 5 CV Prestasi 6 CV Leo Jaya 7 CV Penta Exomania 8 CV Silva Patria Lestari 9 FA Hasco Total *up to mid September
Year 2007 210 315 108 100 108 60 0 60 60 1,021
2008* 90 65 49 40 32 20 18 17 5 336
Export Quota 2008 (heads) 117 85 64 52 42 26 23 22 7 438
Table 3. Breeding stock of Heosemys spinosa for captive breeding operation by CV Pasundan. (Source: Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Ministry of Forestry). Year
Generation
2006
F0
2007
F0
Male 10
F1
41 87
10 F1
2008
F0
113
Notes 70 heads were exported in 2006 (from previous year’s breeding)
41 106
10 F1
Female
133 41
120
149
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As for the question of sustainability, it is still difficult to judge the trade sustainability of this species based on the very limited available data. Further study on the basic biology, distribution, and breeding aspects is definitely needed. However, with the absence of population estimation, Indonesia has been drastically lowering the quota from 1,800 heads to 450 heads. At this new quota number, trade is expected to be sustainable and will be monitored over the year to come. On the meantime, scientific research and breeding attempt will also be continued.
CONCLUDING REMARKS Indonesia is one of the range countries of H. spinosa. This semi-aquatic turtle is scientifically poorly known although naturally it has a wide distribution within Southeast Asian countries. The population number remains unknown and believed to be rare in many countries, including in Indonesia. Trade on this species has been going on to fulfill the international demand for pet. Although the estimation of population number is not available at this time, Indonesia has taken a precautionary measure to drastically reduce the quota from 1,800 individuals during the previous years to 450 individuals in 2008 in order to achieve a sustainable trade. In addition, breeding attempt also has been started and encouraged.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. The author wishes to thank (in alphabetical order): Andre van Meer, E. Emy Setyo Novitasari, Benny Soetanto, Danny Gunalen, George Tatang Saputra, Hellen Kurniati, Herianto, Kris Heryanto, Mumpuni, Suwita Widjaja, Syarifuddin, and all staff of Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation – Ministry of Forestry for sharing their information and knowledge during the preparation of this document.
REFERENCES ARCBC 2005. Spiny Hill Turtles (Heosemys spinosa Gray). ASEAN Regional Center for Biodiversity Conservation. Retrieved on 4 September 2008 from www.arcbc.org.ph/arcbcweb/pdf/vol1no4/focus_spiny_hill_turtle.pdf Asian Turtle Consortium 2004. Spiny Hill Turtles Heosemys spinosa. Retrieved on 4 September 2008 from http://www.asianturtle.org/htm/species_Heosemys_spinosa.html. Auliya, M. 2007. An identification guide to the tortoise and freshwater turtles of Bunei Daussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and Timor Leste. TRAFFIC Southeast Asia. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. CITES. 2002. Inclusion of Heosemys spp. in Appendix II. CITES, Switzerland. IRATA. 2008. Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. IRATA. Jakarta. Iskandar, D.T. 2000. Kura-kura dan buaya Indonesia dan Papua Guini. Institut Teknologi Bandung. Bandung, Indonesia. Kurniati, H. 2008. Rapid assessment of reptiles trade and population trend in Sumatra, Indonesia. Unpublished Report. LIPI-IRATA. Bogor. Liat, L.B. & I. Das. 1999. Turtles of Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Natural History Publications (Borneo). Kota Kinabalu. Mueller, G. 1998. Turtles in the terrarium. TFH Publication, Inc. New Jersey.
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