INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS WORKSHOP ON CITES NON- DETRIMENT FINDINGS
Cancun (México), 17-22 Nov. 2008
PRESENTATION ON
Kenya Case Study on Pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri)
BYSolomon N. Kyalo
KENYA
CASE STUDY
Conservation Status and Management of Pancake Tortoise ( Malacochersus tornieri, (SiebenRock, 1903) in Kenya-Non –Detriment Finding Studies process
A Case Study presented at the International Expert Workshop on CITES Non-Detriment Findings, Cancun (Mexico), 17-22 November 2008
BACKGROUND
The Species- Pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri)
•Land tortoise
Taxonomy:
Class: REPTILIA
Order: Testudinata
Family: Testudinidae
Geographical Distribution
Kenya, Tanzania & Zambia *(2003)
CONSERVATION STATUS
• IUCN Classification: Vulnerable
• CITES Listing: Appendix II
Objectives
Understanding the Factors affecting Conservation and Management of Malacochersus tornieri in Kenya: TheNDF Studies
Data source/references
•Species distribution maps
•Assessments of species abundance in different areas of distribution
•Assessments of threats to the species population
• Trade levels
•Recommended management strategies and practical options for Mitigating threats to the species
METHODOLOGY FOR NDF
Distribution mapping
•Administrative blocks(districts) under Agro-climate Zone V overlapping with Precambrian rock system
(Habitats are a function of interplay of exfoliating granite rocks of Precambrian rock type in Arid and semi-arid climate) and characterized by rock outcrops &kopjes with crevices
•Information from collectors
Lake
District Boundaries Agroecological Zone V Precambrian Rock
LEGEND N
1:5500000SCALE:
GIS WORK BY MO SES M ALOB A
DAT A SORCE : ACT DAT AB ASE 1999
FIG: 1 MAP SHOWING OVERLAPPING DISTRIBUTION OF PRECAMBRIAN ROCKS AND AGROECOLOGICAL ZONE V IN KENYA
Isio loSam bu ru
M eru
Lai ki pi a
Ga riss a
Tan a R iv e r
Ki tu i
Tu rkan a
M arsa bit
W a ji r
Tai ta Ta v eta
Ka ji ad o
N arok
Em bu
M ach akos
M aku en i
4° 4
°
2° 2
°
0° 0
°
2° 2
°
4° 4
°
34°
34°
36°
36°
38°
38°
40°
40°
42°
42°
0
0
200000
200000
400000
400000
600000
600000
800000
800000
-40
00
00
-400
000
-200
000
-200
000
0
0
20
00
00 2
000
00
40
000
0 40
000
0
60
000
0 600
000
Map of Kenya showing overlapping distribution of Precambrian rocks & Agro
ecological Zone V
Extent of Distribution
•From known species’ range (Nguni & Nuu, Mwingi) to unknown
•4 Disjointed field surveys to 10 districts undertaken
•Occurrence or non occurrence confirmed with the following:
Search for Live specimens
Search for feacal materials at entrance of crevices
Interviews with locals
GPS Germin 12 x used to record locality coordinates and altitude
Population estimates
•Counting using systematic search and seize sampling method (Karns 1986) and Hayer et al (1994)
•Strip transects used (varying lengths between 2-20 km and 0.5 width) depending on distribution of patchy microhabitats.
Body measurements- Straight Carapace Length (SCL)
Materials/Equipment
•Global positioning System –GPS Germin 12 x for recording distribution areas and altitude
•2 m long strong and flexible hooked wire for retrieving in humane way specimens from crevices
•Vernier Calipers for measuring SCL along the midline
•1000g spring balance calibrated into 10g intervals for measuring live specimen weight
•Trade data from UNEP-WCMC to determine volumes of trade & trends for the period 1975 to 2001
Results- Area of Species distribution
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOO
O
OO
O
O
O
O
O
O
OOOOOOO
O
O
OO
O
OO
OOOO
O
OOO
OOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOO
OOO
OOOOOOOO
OO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOO
OO
OOOO
OOOOOOOOO
Kitui
SOUTH KITUI N.R
TSAVO EAST N.P
LOSAI N.R
AMBURU N.R
SHABA N.R
BUFFALOSPRINGS N.R
MER U N.P
MT.KENYA N.P
BIS
AN
AD
I N.R
FIG: 2 MAP SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF PANCAKE TORTOISE OVERLAPPING WITH PRECAMBRIAN ROCKS AND AGROECOLOGICAL ZONE V IN KENYA 2002
N
60 0 60 120 180 240 300 Kilometers
4°
4°
2°
2°
0° 0
°
2° 2
°
4° 4
°
6° 6
°
34°
34°
36°
36°
38°
38°
40°
40°
42°
42°0
0
200000
200000
400000
400000
600000
600000
800000
800000
-60
00
00
-60
00
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-40
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-40
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-20
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-20
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0
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20
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40
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60
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Totoise Locations
no sighting
sightingO
District Boundaries
Agroecological Zone V
Precambrian rock system
LEGEND
GIS WORK BY MO SES M ALOB A
DAT A SORCE : ACT DAT AB ASE 1999
TORTOISE DISTRIB UTION GENERAT ED
FROM F IEL D W ORK GEOREFERENCED
GPS POINTS
P
P
P
Possibly presentP
Two disjointedly sub-populations exit in Kenya:
•Northern sub-population ( North of Nyambene Hills, Meru)
•Southern Sub-population (South of Nyambene Hills, Meru)
Species distribution
Results- Area of Species distribution
OOOOOO
O
OO
O
OOO
O
OO
O
O
OO
O
O
OOO
O
O O
O
OO
OO
OO
OOOOOOOOO OOOOO
OO OOOOOOO
O OOOOO OOO O
OO
OO
OO
OOOOOOO
OO
OOOOOOOO
OOO
OOOO
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Tana River
Kitui
Taita Taveta
Kajiado
Embu
Machakos
Makueni
North KituiN.R
Bisanadi N.R
Voo
Zo mbe
W aita
Mu tha
Kaimu
Katse
Usu eni
Simisi
Ngw ate
Mw ingi
Mu tom o
Mu titu
Mu thu e
Kaw elu
Kasala
Iku tha
Tharaka
Ngom eni
Ithu m b a
Chematu
Kathungu
Kaku nike
Maktau
FIG:3 MAP SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF PANCAKE TORTOISE IN KITUI & MWINGI (GREATER KITUI) DISTRICTS 2002
N
3°1
9'5
6" 3
°19'5
6"
2°5
9'5
4" 2
°59
'54
"
2°3
9'5
2" 2
°39
'52
"
2°1
9'5
0" 2
°19'5
0"
1°5
9'4
8" 1°5
9'4
8"
1°3
9'4
6" 1°3
9'4
6"
1°19
'44
" 1°19'4
4"
0°5
9'4
2" 0
°59
'42
"
0°3
9'4
0" 0
°39
'40
"
0°1
9'3
8" 0
°19'3
8"
37°20'02"
37°20'02"
37°40'04"
37°40'04"
38°00'06"
38°00'06"
38°20'08"
38°20'08"
38°40'10"
38°40'10"
39°00'12"
39°00'12"
39°20'14"
39°20'14"300000
300000
350000
350000
400000
400000
450000
450000
500000
500000
550000
550000-4
00
00
0
-40
00
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-35
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-35
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-30
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-30
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00
-25
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-25
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-20
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-20
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-15
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-150
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0
-10
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-100
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-50
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-50
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Totoise Locations
no s ighting
Sighting (Natural popula tion)O
Introduced populationO
River
Conservation Area
Distr ict Boundaries
Yatta P lateau
Precam br ian roc k s ystem
Agroecological Z one V
LEGEND
Divided H ig hways
Primary/Se cond ary Roads
Path or Trails
Road
% Centres
NATIONAL SETTING
1:1500000SCALE :
DAT A SORCE : ACT DAT AB ASE 1999
TORTOISE DISTRIB UTION GENERAT ED
FROM F IEL D W ORK GEOREFERENCED
GPS POINTS
GIS WORK BY MO SES M ALOB A
Distribution in Kitui & Mwingi Districts
Key areas:
Voo, Kalalani, Kemwaa, Kyaango,Kinakoni, Endau, Malalani, Koi, Katumbi, Kinanie
Katse, Kamwerini, Gankanga, Kanzinwa, Ciampiu,Nguni, Mathyaka, Maai, Kalanga, Ivuusya,
Results- Area of Species distribution
OO
O
OOO OO
O
OOOOO O
OOO
O
O
O
O
OO
OO
OOO
O
OO
OOOOO
OO
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOO
OOO
O
OO
OOO
O
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Samburu
Laikipia
Losai N.R
Marsabit N.R
BuffaloSpring N.R
SamburuN.R
ShabaN.R
Wamba
Kauro
Mukawa
Maralal
Baragoi
Lodosoit
South Horr
Archers Post
Illaut
Ngurunit
N
1:1150000SCALE
P
P
PP
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P P
0°3
0' 0
°30
'
1°0
0' 1°0
0'
1°3
0' 1°3
0'
2°0
0' 2
°00
'
2°3
0' 2
°30
'
36°30'
36°30'
37°00'
37°00'
37°30'
37°30'
38°00'
38°00'200000
200000
250000
250000
300000
300000
350000
350000
50
00
0
50
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0
100
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0
100
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25
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00
FIG: 5 MAP SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF PANCAKE TORTOISE IN ISIOLO MARSABIT AND SAMBURU DISTRICTS 2002
P
PP
Totoise Locations
no sigh ting
Sigh tin gO
Lake
Con se rvation Are a
Dist rict Bou nd arie s
Preca mb ria n rock system
Ag ro ecolog ica l Zo ne V
LEGEND
PP Po ssibly prese nt
Road
Div ided H igh ways
Path or Trails
Primary/Se condary Roads
% Cen tres
GIS WORK BY MO SES M ALOB A
DAT A SORCE : ACT DAT AB ASE 1999
TORTOISE DISTRIB UTION GENERAT ED
FROM F IEL D W ORK GEOREFERENCED
GPS POINTS
NATIONAL SETTING
Distribution in Isiolo, Marsabit & Samburu districts
Areas:
Wamba, Sware, Archers Post, Namunyak conservancy,
Results- Area of Species distribution
Distribution in Mbeere & Tharaka Districts
Areas:
Kianjeru, Ciangera, Irira
Chiakariga, Kamanyaki, Rwakinanga
Distribution: Protected Area Vs. Non-Protected Area
•Species population in Protected Area is estimated 5% of total population
•95% of total population in the wild is in Non-Protected Areas
District Protected Area & level of protection
Kitui Tsavo East N.P (North of Galana river
South Kitui N.R
Isiolo Buffalo Springs N.R, Shaba N.R
Samburu Samburu N.R
Marsabit Losai N.R
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
<499
600-
699
800-
899
1000
-109
9
1200
-129
9
1400
-149
9
Altitude ranges (m)
No
. o
f sp
ecim
en
s
Species distribution Vs. Altitude
Based on sightings of 256 live specimens
Species population Abundance &Density
Species abundance and density is a function of habitat quality.
•Well oriented rock crevices, high vegetation cover over the rock outcrop and less human habitat destruction are indicators of high quality habitat
•7 sites in 4 districts sampled on densities giving the following results
Transect Name & District
Transect area size in KM sq.
No. of specimens counted
Mean Density
Specimens/area
Wamba, Samburu 20 49 2.61
Chiakariga, Tharaka 17.5 32 1.72
Ishiara, Mbeere 7.5 13 1.73
Katse, Mwingi 20 132 6.6
Nguni, Mwingi 15 29 1.2
Endau, Kitui 10.5 27 2.95
Voo, Kitui 27 108 8.86
Species population density variation
There was significant difference (t-test for dependent samples, one tailed; n=8, t=114.06, d.f =7, P=<0.05)
High abundance and density is attributed to high density of rock outcrops and kopjes with suitable crevices.
Low density especially in Nguni is as a result of past collection for commercial purposes.
Analysis on population density
Species body measurements (weight &Length)
Measurement Females (n=130) Males (n=98)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mean Carapace Length 1SD 141.98 15.35 135.21 29.84
Range 82.65-157.33 105.37-165.05
Mean Body weight 1SD 355.88 93.32 310.16 128.72
Range 262.56-449.20 181.44-438.88
•No significant difference in mean body weight &SCL between sexes
•There is significant positive linear correlation between SCL &Bodyweight (r=0.9196 , df= 226, two tailed n1=228,n2=228,P<0.01)
Habitat characteristics, selection & preference
•Pancake tortoise specimens only found in suitable rock crevices in rock outcrops and kopjes in Arid and semi arid areas dominated by Acacia-Commiphora vegetation
•Granitic outcrops with shelter underneath exfoliating rock slabs provide the best habitats
•Frequency and location of the suitable habitats determine abundance and distribution of the species
Threats to Pancake Tortoise Conservation
Habitat alteration and destruction
•Slash and burn shifting cultivation ( around rock outcrops and kopjes)
•Charcoal burning
•Rock slab and ballast harvesting
Predation
International trade for pet industry
•Illegal trade
Southern sub-population is the most threatened population
International Trade volumes Kenya & Tanzania Exports
(1975-2001)-Legal Trade using CITES Permits
Country of Import No.of specimens reported imported
No. of specimens reported exported
Kenya 3,016 928
United Republic of Tanzania
11,458 6,683
Illegal Trade in Pancake tortoise specimens
Several seizures of shipments reported :
•1992- seizure of specimens of Pancake tortoise illegally traded prompted placement of a moratorium on exports of specimens of the species
•2001- 209 specimens seized in Kampala, Uganda
Specimens repatriated to Kenya & released into Tsavo N.P ( Monitored population)
•2007(August) -36 specimens seized at JKIA coming from TZ . Specimens kept in rescue centre in
Kenya for Education
NDF STUDIES RECOMMENDATIONS
• Trade in wild collected specimens of Pancake tortoise should be prohibited however, captive breeding for commercial purposes should be encouraged as incentives for insitu conservation
• Trade in specimens from captive breeding operations should be limited to a maximum of Straight carapace length of 8 cm
(Decision of the CoP12 in 2002) based on proposal by Kenya following the NDF studies)
Strategies for species Conservation management
•In-situ conservation ( refuge/nature reserves either publicly or privately owned), the case of Voo Reptiles Sanctuary
•Moratorium on trade in wild specimens in force
•Ex-situ conservation (captive breeding operations) e.g Mathemba tortoise farm, Voo Reptiles farm and Nguni Kalanga C Tortoise Farm
•Any sustainable harvesting from the wild for commercial purposes to be based on scientifically determined quotas.
THANK
YOU