Our tortoises are in trouble
Many thanks to Dr Ernst Baard for a wonderful presentation on ‘Tortoises, Turtles and Terrapins’ to the Friends on Tuesday, 8 May.
What’s the difference between them, anyway? Well, in very simple terms a tortoise is a land-based animal; a terrapin is a fresh-water based animal and a turtle is a salt-water based animal. To the more informed, they all form part of the order known as ‘Chelonia’.
And our Chelonia are in trouble: 48.3% of all tortoises, turtles and terrapins worldwide are considered ‘near extinction’. They are hunted and sold for food and for the pet trade; their habitats are being destroyed; and because they are long-lived and slow maturing with few offspring, our Chelonians are simply not ‘keeping pace’.
South Africa, and the Western Cape in particular is very special concerning Chelonia: of the 43 species worldwide, 13 species are found in South Africa. Six of these are endemic. The Western Cape, as a result of the biodiversity (the ‘Cape Floral Kingdom’) found in the province, is home to 8 species. We have a big role to play in the conservation of these wonderful animals.
A tiny area in the Boland – approximately 22km squared – is the only place on earth where you might naturally find the rare and critically endangered Geometric tortoise. You can read about the Geometric tortoise on the Cape Nature website: http://www.capenature.co.za/docs/1834/Geometric%20tortoise.pdf
Next time you come across a tortoise, turtle or terrapin, remember this: these ancient and magnificent animals have seen the dinosaurs come and go … and if we conserve them properly, they may well be on this earth longer than humankind!