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.

Assistant curator Matt Evans holds four juvenile Burmese roofed turtles at a facility in Myanmar.
Assistant curator Matt Evans holds four juvenile Burmese roofed turtles at a facility in Myanmar. This species is critically endangered.

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. 

An adult male Chinese big headed turtle in a Myanmar rescue facility.
An male Chinese big-headed turtle. This species is considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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. 

Matt Evans and colleagues in Myanmar discuss turtle husbandry.
Matt Evans (second from right) discusses best practices for Chinese big-headed turtle husbandry with staff at the rescue facility.
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The outside of the Conservation Pavilion at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. The building has a stone exterior and large windows. It's surrounded by greenery and a banner for the Kids' Farm exhibit hangs nearby.
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A friend of the forest is a friend to temperate forest keeper Pandora! With her outgoing personality and enthusiasm for the environment, she befriends animals and humans alike. She cares about critters who call the trees "home" and combats habitat degradation.
Burmese narrow-headed soft shell turtle hatchling.
An endangered Burmese narrow-headed softshell turtle hatchling.
A digital illustration of a zookeeper with a crocodile. To the right is the text "Helaku, Wetlands Keeper" and a hexagonal icon featuring wetland grasses
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A turtle in Myanmar marked with the numbers 765 for identification.
This Burmese star tortoise is marked with the numbers "765" for release into the wild.
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Just like you, Alex and Miguel are budding Zoo Guardians. Alex aspires to be a veterinarian, and Miguel dreams of becoming a biologist. Together, the three of you will learn about what it takes to run a zoo!
Yellow tortoise hatchling in rescue facility in Myanmar.
An endangered yellow tortoise hatchling.

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.