This species is believed to have become extinct in the wild during the early 2000’s. Since 2013 G. platynota has been successfully introduced into former localities of Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary and Shwe Settaw Wildlife Sanctuary. About 2,100 subadults (about five years old) were reintroduced, and these are reproducing in the wild, with 51 hatchlings encountered in surveys during 2017 (K. Platt pers. comm. 2018). The recent former location of Mya Leik Taung is now flooded resulting from regional hydrological development. AOO of the species is 56 km2 and its EOO covers 1097.181 km2 in its habitats.
Burmese Star Tortoise
ကြယ်လိပ်၊ လိပ်ပင့်ကူ၊ မကြီးလိပ်
Geochelone platynotaOrder
Testudines
FamilyTestudinidae
ClassReptile
Extinction risk
NE
DD
LC
NT
VU
EN
Global IUCN statusCR
EW
EX
Measurement
Head to body lengthBody weight (kg)Justification
Geochelone platynota is listed as Critically Endangered. It was formerly extirpated in the wild, but has now been successfully reintroduced to two closely guarded wildlife sanctuary sites with an increasing, breeding population. Previously listed as CR A1cd as there had been (over the last three generations) an extensive loss of this species through over- collection and the impacts of some habitat loss (>90% of the total population declined over three generations). However, the reasons for this decline were understood, stopped and are being successfully reversed.
POPULATION & HABITAT
Wild population
Trend
increasing
Myanmar population
2,100
Global population
Unknown
Details
Habitat ecology
Geochelone platynota inhabits dry zone scrub and open deciduous forest with dense grassy undergrowth. It has been observed consuming an array of foods including grasses, seeds, flowers, snails, insects, earthworms and meat (Platt et al. 2011). Thanda Swe (2004) observed a mean clutch size of 4.4 eggs, and females deposited 1 to 6 clutches each season (K. Platt pers. comm. 2018). Age of maturity is approximately 6 years; generation length is roughly estimated at 18 years; longevity may be more than 50 years (K. Platt pers. comm. 2018).
Distribution
Threats to survival
Threats to survival
G. platynota is in high demand in the international pet trade. Although historically exploited for subsistence, a dramatic increase in harvest occurred in the mid-1990s following increasing demand Chinese wildlife markets (Platt et al. 2000). Juveniles are in especially high demand in the pet trade, whilst larger adults enter food and medicinal markets. Although harvesting has declined dramatically recently, due to the extirpation of wild populations, continued commercial demand poses a serious impediment to reintroduction into the wild (Platt et al. 2011). In addition to over-exploitation, habitat degradation and fragmentation, as the result of conversion to agricultural lands, threaten G. platynota.
Instruction: The visualization shows threats that are impacting each species. According to IUCN, direct threats are the proximate human activities or processes that have impacted, are impacting, or may impact the the status of the taxon being assessed. Click of the highlighted icons to see details each threat category.
Use and trade
The species was extensively over collected for the international pet trade ($500/individual for local hunters), resulting in extinction in the wild until recent successful reintroduction from captive assurance colonies.
Conservation Actions
Research
Research undertaken
A 2007 attempt to reintroduce G. platynota into Minsontaung was unsuccessful, with all tortoises poached, or disappearing within 6 months (Platt et al. 2011). A licensed commercial captive breeding operation exists in Bagan, however there are no exports currently from this facility following the CITES Appendix I listing. Ongoing reintroduction efforts are proving successful into the Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary and Shwe Settaw Wildlife Sanctuary (K. Platt, pers. comm. 2018). There is a target to reintroduce into six wildlife sanctuaries within Myanmar over the next ten years (K. Platt, pers. comm. 2018). Very tight security and enforcement is in place for the reintroduction sites, if this stops there is a likelihood of extensive poaching resuming (K. Platt, pers. comm. 2018). It is listed in CITES Appendix I and a completely protected species in Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Area Law (2018). The current conservation actions undertaken are assurance colonies, reintroduction to the wild, education and awareness raising, law enforcement and long term monitoring.
Research needed
It is better to strengthen site protection. Genetic studies of species would be useful.
Assessed by
Kalyar Platt,Me Me Soe,Htun Thu,Kyaw Thu Zaw Wint,Swann Htet Naing Aung,Ko Myint,Kyi Soe LwinReviewed by
James Tallant,Monica Böhmreferences
references
Resources
National Redlist of Threatened Species in Myanmar
The Myanmar National Red List of threatened species contributes to the GEF funded “Strengthening Sustainability of Protected Area Management in Myanmar” project. To support the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (2015-2020), Target 12 for commitment to prevent the extinction of known threatened species and improve their conservation status, the National Red List of some selected taxa has been produced. This report summarizes the assessment process and its results with detailed descriptions for some selected threatened species in Myanmar.
