Nine months after a severe crisis hid the wild population of the Palawan Forest Turtle

I would like to give you an update about the rescue efforts in relation to what became known as the “Palawan Forest Turtle Crisis”.

On 17 June 2015, 4,312 live and 90 dead freshwater turtles had been confiscated in Palawan. The majority (3,831) of the turtles were Palawan Forest Turtles. KFI has led the rescue, but aside from the local rescue group, numerous veterinarians, vet technicians and keepers from all over the world had traveled to Palawan to help. Others donated funds or medicine and equipment. Only thanks to the quick response and joint efforts was it possible to rescue most of the confiscated turtles. Most had been released soon after turn-over, others had been treated until they got stable, while yet others had to stay with us for several months. On February 19, 2015 we have released the last of them back to the wild.  

Ever since the first release, we are monitoring the release sites. We do this monthly or bi-monthly for 2 nights per sampling per site. Monitoring will not only give us information on survival and dispersal of the released turtles but also on the resident population. We also assess the habitat at the release sites and the threats in the area. Habitat destruction and conversion is becoming more and more an issue and serious threat to the Palawan Forest Turtle. There is an urgent need to establish protected areas. So far there is only one protected area for the Palawan Forest Turtle.

As part of the monitoring program, we will start conducting information education campaigns at the release sites in April. That is we will show videos, give lectures, have turtle mascot appearance and games with the youth and conduct interviews with the people.

At our center in Narra, we also made progress. With money that was donated during the crisis we have built three large rescue ponds. These will allow us to accommodate large numbers of turtles if ever there is another confiscation. I beg though that we will never need these rescue ponds.

Thanks to all who helped us get through the crisis.

Best regards,
Sabine