Grave threat to star tortoises

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The locally improvised brush-mower, which is used commonly in the lowlands of the dry zone for clearing large areas of shrub lands, is posing a grave threat to star tortoises.

This was revealed during a recent survey on star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) population in Andigama, Anamaduwa by Anslem de Silva, an expert conservationist on reptiles.According to de Silva, nearly 25 chopped carcases of star tortoises were discovered by the team. "This area is a hot spot for star tortoise and these lowlands are becoming more used for development activities," he said.

Anslem de Silva currently serves as the the Regional Chairman, South Asia and Iran Crocodile Specialist Group IUCN/SSC and as a member IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group.

The new locally improvised brush-mower is fixed to a tractor and is used for clearing large shrub lands as it easily chops even small trees. Many villagers informed the survey team, using the brush-mower is efficient and economical and is becoming popular. "We assume that this new threat, will be a considerable threat to 'Geochelone elegans' in the near future," he added.

Already the star tortoise was facing a major threat being smuggled to various parts of the world through the black market. Getting chopped by the bush-mowers will further push them to an endangered level if proper action is not taken by wildlife authorities, de Silva said.

Geochelone elegans is found in three discrete portions in the Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka. One in western India closer to Pakistan and the second is in southeastern India and the third is in Sri Lanka. No subspecies are recognised, although there are regional variations in colour and morphology. Sri Lankan tortoises are observed with more contrasting shell patterns with broader yellow markings and they tend to reach larger sizes than southern Indian tortoises.