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Case Study: Radiated Tortoise
The radiated tortoise, Geochelone radiata, is one of southern Madagascar’s most enduring symbols. A flagship species for conservation, this animal plays an important role in the unique spiny forest ecosystem where it originally existed in extremely high densities. The tortoise's original distribution stretched across the regions of the Mikea and Androy, Mahafaly and Karimbola plateaus. In these areas, tortoise populations existed in exceptionally high densities, with as many as 5,744 tortoises per square kilometer recorded in the area of Vohombe as recently as 5 years ago. Despite the extirpation of the radiated tortoise from the northern and eastern edges of its historical range (a range contraction of 25% between 1975 and 2000), the animal was considered still at low risk further south. However, new information confirms that the species has suffered recent major losses in important areas once believed to be its strongholds.
The Human Aspect
Much of the central habitat of the radiated tortoise is also the land of the Antandroy and Mahafaly people of Madagascar. In terms of traditional social values, both tribes respect the tortoise above all animals except cattle or zebu. The local people, have historically protected the species through “fady” (taboo) against the killing or harming the animal:
Tortoises bring the rains – God sends rains, not for the humans, who can look after themselves, but for the animals, like the tortoises, who need the rain and God’s help. When there are no more animals there will be no more rain.
(Mahafaly story)
Today the taboos are less respected and have less impact in the region due to the pressure to find alternative sources of revenue in a harsh and relatively unproductive landscape, recent crises of food scarcity as a consequence of droughts and desertification, immigration and general movement of people who do not respect local fady and a growing desire for tortoise meat by urban based populations.
Threats
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Julie Larsen Maher © WCS
The unique spiny forests of Madagascar | The principal activity threatening the tortoise is collection for consumption and the wildlife trade. This is conducted by organized groups with large-scale operations, as well as by individual collectors who plunder as they can. The destruction of habitat is also a key threat, not only to the radiated tortoise, but to the integrity for southern Madagascar. The production of cash crops destined for export have fueled a rapid clearance of natural habitats where vast tracts of spiny forest have been permanently transformed to low-grade grassland where few native species can survive. Recent analyses of satellite images for the period between years 1990 and 2000 show that this region has lost more natural habitat cover than any other part of the country. In August 2005, an international meeting of the Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) group produced an alarming prediction that without immediate and significant intervention, a viable population of radiated tortoises will likely be extirpated from the wild within one tortoise generation, that is, 45 years.
Activities
For ten years, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has conducted radiated tortoise conservation activities in southern Madagascar. These have included:
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Julie Larsen Maher © WCS | • several research projects monitoring population status,
• support to the National Parks Service (ANGAP) for habitat protection in Cap Saint Marie Special Reserve,
• support to the Ministry of Environment Water and Forests (MEF) for law enforcement activities,
• support to CITES management in the capital, Antananarivo,
• support to a project to repatriate seized tortoises in Ifaty (north of Tulear) and
• a long running ex-situ captive breeding program of radiated tortoises at the Bronx Zoo.
The main approach, seeks to support communities directly to better mange their natural resources and conserve their forests with the radiated tortoise as a flagship species. Key to this approach is a program of conservation outreach and environmental education that brings awareness of the importance of conservation and good environmental management to the isolated communities of the south.This is achieved by helping the local people develop management plans and contracts (formal agreements with the Government of Madagascar) for their traditional forests and lands which will protect species and habitats. Also these plans will catalyze communities to find other funds to support income generating activities such as improved agriculture (millet instead of maize) and ecotourism.
One of the key parts of this project is to help re-build the traditional beliefs about the tortoise, the forest and its other inhabitants. These “fady” were historically very strict and were aimed at managing and protecting the natural ecosystems which are critical to the Mahafaly and Antandroy’s survival. Through a program of environmental education, teacher training and environmental outreach, the project will build awareness and pride of the unique natural heritage of Madagascar in the local communities of the living throughout Southern Spiny Forest.
Important Next Steps
•Build awareness on the conservation problems and solutions in the south of Madagascar and with decision makers nationally and the international community.
•Improve livelihoods of local people through the creation of sustainable community associations that promote alternative farming practices and community development activities.
•Reduce the threats to tortoises by reinforcing traditional stewardship of the land by local people which will result in permanent protected areas throughout the southern biome.
•Use the tortoise as a “flagship” species to represent the Mahafaly and Antandroy peoples' natural heritage, and to protect the southern spiny forest ecosystem.
•Understand how our efforts are serving to reduce the illegal collection of tortoises by monitoring tortoise populations throughout the region.
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