Rescuing Reptiles in Myanmar
In Myanmar, reptiles are rapidly disappearing — the result of poaching and other threats. The good news: all hope is not lost for critically endangered turtles. Rescue facilities across the country, supported by the Turtle Survival Alliance, are working to save these species from extinction. Thanks to a Friends of the National Zoo Round up for Conservation grant, Reptile Discovery Center assistant curator Matt Evans traveled to these facilities. He brought with him a host of supplies and husbandry expertise to help his colleagues care for and reintroduce these rare reptiles into the wild.
Why Myanmar?
The idea for this trip came about because the Smithsonian’s National Zoo works closely with the Turtle Survival Alliance, an organization based in South Carolina that does amazing conservation work around the world to save turtles from going extinct. Myanmar is a hotspot for endangered and critically endangered turtles, and there are several rescue facilities spread throughout the country that receive support from the Turtle Survival Alliance. Last fall, I traveled to eight of those centers over the course of a month to share resources, knowledge and husbandry expertise with them.
Getting to some of these facilities was not easy. It meant many, many hours traveling in a car, or on a boat, sometimes arriving very sleep deprived. In many places I stayed only one night and then departed for the next place. Any tired feelings went on the back burner once I was able to meet my new colleagues and see the animals under their care. I was so taken aback by not only the sheer number of animals — often hundreds and in some cases thousands of turtles — but also the rarity and diversity of the species was really remarkable. It is fair to say that my inner herpetologist was geeking out the entire time.
Was there a moment in the trip that left you feeling inspired?
Definitely! Two things immediately come to mind. First, of course, are the turtles themselves. It was not only my first time working with some of these rare turtles, it was my first time seeing them in person — not just in a book or picture. Each species and each individual has its own unique personality, even at one, two or three years old. Not to mention being surrounded by 700 beautiful baby turtles as they run over to you to be fed is an amazing sight.
Then, there are the people who work at these centers, whose dedication to this profession is both inspirational and admirable. By no means do they have an easy job. It requires enormous personal sacrifice to take care of thousands of animals, gather fresh food and water, work in upwards of 120-degree Fahrenheit heat. They spend an enormous amount of time away from their families. They are focused on providing the best care possible for these animals so that they can be reintroduced back into the wild. They are doing everything they can to prevent these critically endangered species from going extinct.
Do local communities know about these rescue centers?
Yes, these facilities do great community education work. Generally speaking, the local people have a great respect for turtles from a cultural and spiritual standpoint.
For the older generations, it was custom to eat these animals, collect them as pets or bring them to a Buddhist temple and release them, which they believe brings good karma. It is what they have been told and what they have always done. So, the educational outreach work does compete with tradition within some communities.
These facilities do a great job of conveying why it is important for turtles and other wildlife to stay in their natural habitat. The younger generations, especially, rally around the idea that these animals are worth protecting and saving, which gives me hope that these education efforts, along with the husbandry care provided by these facilities, are really making a difference.
This story appears in the February 2019 issue of National Zoo News.