Recent Records and Conservation Status of the Critically Endangered Mangrove Terrapin, Batagur baska, in Myanmar

Abstract

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List considers Batagur baska regionally extinct in Myanmar owing to the paucity of recent records. We conducted field surveys in coastal regions of Myanmar during 2004 and verified the occurrence of small populations of B. baska at scattered localities in Mon State, and Tanintharyi and Ayeyarwady Divisions. We attribute the continued persistence of these populations to a combination of local religious beliefs that discourage the capture of turtles and areas of armed conflict between government forces and Mon insurgents where fishermen can venture only at great personal risk.