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Despite growing global recognition of the Asian turtle
crisis in the late 1990’s, efforts to protect Asia’s turtles
have been slow to move forward. Weak enforcement, low awareness, traditional
attitudes towards turtles and other wildlife, too few national experts
or people willing to invest the time and energy into conserving turtles,
and a host of other factors pose significant obstacles to progress. Moreover,
loss of habitat resulting from forest destruction leave surviving wild
populations under intense pressure form hunters and collectors.
Asia’s turtles are in trouble. However it is not too late to take
decisive action that will help secure populations of the most critically
endangered turtle species in the wild though this difficult period as
nations develop within the region. If turtles remain a part of the local
landscape, we must focus investment in building capacity and leadership
within range states, helping states develop a strong national voice on
behalf of turtles, and ensuring that our invested resources generate meaningful
results in our efforts to secure a future for the regions turtles in crisis.
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Although
turtles have survived in nature for more than 250 million years,
one might question whether turtles can adapt to a world dominated
by humans.
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There
are about 90 species of tortoises and freshwater turtles native
to the south Asia region.
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