Euphrates softshell turtle threatened with extinction in Iran – via Herp Digest

Reporting for this story was supported by a grant from the Earth Journalism Network.

Tehran Times 6/2/19

TEHRAN – Euphrates softshell turtle is endangered in the country mainly due to habitat loss and low precipitation, environmental expert Asghar Mobaraki told YJC on Friday.

The Euphrates softshell turtle (Rafetus euphraticus), also known as the Mesopotamian softshell turtle, is a species of softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. It is found throughout much of the Euphrates–Tigris river basin in Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iranian Khuzestan province. 

This freshwater turtle can weigh up to 20 kg (44 pounds), and it has a smooth leathery shell that can reach up to 68 cm (2.2 fit) in length. They are mainly found in a wide range of freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and marshlands.

Despite its endangered status, there are no specific conservations projects aimed at saving this species in most of its range, Mobaraki stated.

According to the IUCN anthropogenic fragmentation, alteration, and destruction of suitable habitat throughout its range are the main threats to Rafetus euphraticus.

When basking on land they are very shy, retreating to water at the slightest hint of danger, therefore, estimating their population is difficult, he explained.

Referring to ways available to estimate the population of the species, he noted that determining an exact number of the remaining species requires advanced equipment as well as fund.

In the past that water level in major lakes and wetlands were lower, we could determine the species distribution, however, with recent heavy rainfalls, water level has increased and we are no longer able to count them, he also added.

He went on to say that in 1350s to 1360s (1971-1991), Euphrates softshell turtles had a stable population in the Shadegan wetland in Khuzestan province, while their population gradually shrank.

In past recent years, their population was shrinking due to low precipitation and recurrent drought haunting Khuzestan province, he regretted.

Although the primary threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, to lesser extent also pollution is to blame, he stated, adding, some lakes have been contaminated as waste and poisonous sewage enters them.

In some cases, they are killed by fishermen due to being carnivorous and caught on fishing hooks, he further regretted, concluding, fishing nets, illegal boats, and dams which alter levels of sediment and water temperature, are among the other major threats to the species in the country.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed Euphrates softshell turtle as engendered assessing its population in 2016.

Threats in detail 

According to the IUCN anthropogenic fragmentation, alteration, and destruction of suitable habitat throughout its range are the main threats to Rafetus euphraticus. 

Major dams cause fundamental changes to water quality and the flow regime downstream, making it impossible for R. euphraticus to survive in long downstream riverine stretches. The loss of sandbank nesting habitat through flooding and sand mining is also a serious threat.

The use of pesticides in agricultural fields next to riverbanks causes pollution along the tributaries. 

Additionally the draining of the Mesopotamian Marshes in southeastern coastal Iraq and southwestern Iran after the 1991 Gulf War is likely to have impacted Iraqi populations significantly. Animals accidentally caught by fishermen may be killed as perceived competitors, and nests destroyed. 

In Iraq, various wars and political conflicts, drought, dam construction, unsustainable fishing methods, especially electro-fishing, and the use of poisons and explosive materials are the main concerns for Rafetus survival. 

Furthermore, oil development, especially in southern Iraq and gravel mining in northern rivers threatens R. euphraticus populations. 

No information is available on threats to R. euphraticus in Syria, where it occupies territories under severe political unrest and turmoil. 

The Chinese Soft Shell, Pelodiscus sinensis, has been imported into Iran illegally and has the potential to become a competitor for R. euphraticus.

Illegal Reptiles’ importation: Nigerian Federal Government begins investigation - via Herp Digest

The Eagle Online, 7/29/17 —The Federal Government says it has commenced investigation to uncover the importers of three consignments containing 140 species of snakes and 660 other animals from Cameroon to Nigeria.

The Nigeria Customs Service on July 26 intercepted three consignments containing 140 species of snakes and 660 other animals in Calabar, Cross River State.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, told newsmen in Abuja on Friday that the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service had been directed to commence the investigation immediately.

Ogbeh reiterated the need for officials of the NAQS to be stationed at the country’s ports to enable them to address such issues before they escalated.

The minister, who expressed the fear that if the quality of agricultural produce imported into Nigeria was not checked, a sort of biological warfare could also be launched against the country’s agricultural sector.

He said: “It is very important to know the tendencies of saying that the quarantine service should not be kept away from the ports.

“It is a threat and a danger because the other day, somebody attempted to smuggle kolanuts to Saudi Arabia.

“The Saudis have told us not to bring kolanuts into their country.

“The Quarantine Service had to go into the aircraft and stop the plane from leaving; it then brought the kolanuts down and now, it is snakes.

“Our ambition is to become a major agricultural nation, if the quality of what we take out and that of the materials coming in are not known to us, anything can happen.

“The dangers include biological warfare, which can be launched against our agriculture industry.

“These are reasons why the quarantine service must be allowed to play its roles without necessarily disrupting the ports’ routine functions.”

NAN reports the containers were brought in aboard a Cameroonian vessel, ‘MV Flesh’, through the Calabar waterway.

The containers reportedly contained snakes and other animals such as geckos, millipedes, hairy frogs and spiders.

Australian man convicted after exporting native reptiles to Italy in socks – via Herp Digest

Xinuhua News, Editor, Mengjie, Melbourne, 7/10/17

 (Xinhua) -- An Australian man has been convicted after he shipped native Australian lizards to Italy inside pairs of socks, local media reported Monday.

Craig James Pender, a Victorian man, was convicted of illegally importing and exporting illegal reptiles.

Pender exported 13 Australian reptiles to Italy, including five blue-tongue lizards, four spiny-tailed skinks and four shingleback lizards, tucked inside pairs of socks which were in turn stuffed into a speaker system.

The discovery of the lizards by Italian customs staff prompted a joint investigation between Victorian and Australian agriculture departments of Victoria which resulted in Pender's arrest.

It is believed the man was part of an international smuggling ring specializing in exotic reptiles.

Robyn Cleland, head of compliance for the federal agriculture department, said that biosecurity officials would pursue other members of the smuggling ring.

"Exotic animals can introduce devastating pests and diseases," Cleland told Australian media on Monday.

"Mr Pender's irresponsible actions placed our national wildlife, environment and industries at great risk.”

A search warrant carried out during the investigation into Pender found illegally imported hog-nosed snakes in his house.

The investigation also turned up links between Pender and Norwegian man Bard Alexander Meringen, who was arrested in Norway with more than 200 live reptiles in his home.

Pender was also convicted of illegally importing four green tree pythons into Australia in 2009.

People convicted of importing or exporting a threatened species in Australia face a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment, a penalty that could be increased to 10 years if the species is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

165 critically endangered geckos seized at Heathrow

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Kevin Heath

Border Force officers have intercepted an attempt to import 165 critically endangered turquoise dwarf geckos from Tanzania. The geckos was found last month within a larger consignment containing other species such as chameleons, scorpions and frogs.

Turquoise dwarf geckos are critically endangered and are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). They are currently only found in two locations in Tanzania.

After the seizure the case was passed to the National Crime Agency’s Border Policing Command. After investigations they arrested a man in Swindon on Friday 20th March. The 41-year-old is currently on police bail as investigations continue.

Grant Miller, head of the Border Force CITES team, said, “This was a highly significant seizure. This particular species of gecko is incredibly rare and there are strict laws against its capture in Tanzania.

“The movement of endangered species is part of an illicit and often cruel trade that Border Force, together with other agencies, is rigorously determined to stop.”

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