HISTORY OF THE PROJECT
TortoiseCare is a program for the conservation of the Egyptian Tortoise Testudo kleinmanni throughout its range. It was initiated by Sherif and Mindy Baha El Din after they were entrusted with the care of 200 Egyptian Tortoises confiscated in government raids on illegal traders to oversee their return to the wild.
The dilemma of how to manage such a vast number of very sick animals belonging to a highly endangered species set into motion the first steps of the development of TortoiseCare. The problem brought to our realization that the sustainable conservation of the species is dependent on the collaboration of all concerned parties. Now this initiative has evolved into a unique program that brings together many participants inside and outside Egypt: concerned individuals, government bodies, NGOs, locals, academic institutions and even private businesses.
We see this program as an opportunity to introduce the conservation ethic to a wider audience in Egypt. To make this a part of the language of businesses and of individuals, not only of the government. The success of these efforts could mean more than helping to save the Egyptian Tortoise, it could help to promote awareness and generate support for the conservation of Egypt's rich natural heritage!
GOAL:
Ensure a sustainable future for the Egyptian Tortoise in the wild in its natural habitats.
OBJECTIVES:
Halting the Import of Animals and Illegal Pet Trade
Over the past three years, Sherif Baha El Din, coordinator of TortioseCare has taken part in several Police/NCS raids on pet markets, including a raid where over 200 Testudo kleinmanni plus some T. graeca were confiscated by the Police in January 1997 (see below).
Small numbers of animals are still found occasionally for sale in various pet shops. Most recently, in March 1998, upon a surprise visit to one of the famous Abu Rawash reptile traders, we discovered a big sack with some 100 Egyptian Tortoises being delivered by a local Bedouin from Sidi Barrani (small town on Med. coast 100 km east of Libyan boarder). He had just obtained the animals from Libya. Unfortunately by the time confiscation procedures could be taken, or proper space for the animals to be found, the Bedouin had disappeared along with the animals.
Legal action against violators is still lagging. The police are not interested or motivated in pursuing such "trivial" crimes. The NCS staff dealing with wildlife trade issue amongst other things, are completely dwarfed by the magnitude of the issues at hand. The lack of a management system impedes the effective implementation of the CITES Convention in Egypt. With the increased attempts to enforce regulations the fairly powerful animal traders are resorting to political pressure and highly illegal practices, and even threatening the use of force!
Rehabilitation of Confiscated Animals and Captive Breeding
The confiscated tortoises were then kept on a roof top in Agouza, Cairo, donated by Sherif's father, Mr. Baha El Din Ahmed. Mr. Andy Highfield, a leading tortoise expert and head of the Tortoise Trust, came to Cairo to help with the rehabilitation of the animals, many of which were in extremely bad condition and sick after being transported and kept in sacks with no water or food for weeks probably. As there was concern over overcrowding and spread of disease, 35 Tortoises were transferred to the American College in Cairo (CAC), which lead to the initiation of the CAC Egyptian Tortoise education and captive breeding project. Later the same year Esther Wenman, Head Reptile Keeper, London Zoo visited Egypt with support from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to help in the treatment and rehabilitation of both the Agouza and CAC animals. Both the ZSL and the Tortoise Trust provide medical supplies and food supplements generously.
With private donations rooftops at Agouza and CAC were fixed up for the animals. A removable shade was constructed on the Agouza roof top to help regulate temperatures in winter and summer; and several wooden shelters and boxes were built according to specifications provided by Ms Esther Wenman. Andy Highfield, Anne Lancaster and Rob Campos of the Tortoise Trust visited Egypt on several occasions in 1997and 1998 to assisted with animal husbandry and rehabilitation efforts.
TortoiseCare initially hired an assistant, Ms. Samira Desouki, to help feed and clean-up after the animals 4 times a week; during which she gained much valuable experience in handling them and understanding their needs. The Tortoise Trust subsequently provided funding for Ms. Kaori Odani, a Japanese volunteer, to take care of the tortoises on the roof top in Agouza in order to monitor and improve the health of the animals for the captive breeding and reintroduction programs at Zaranik Protected Area (see below). Kaori's patience, vigilant eye and unlimited care and love for the tortoises has been instrumental in the great improvement of their health. Sherif makes regular visits to the roof top to monitor the condition of the animals and provides medical treatment as necessary. Other persons contributed time and resources: Lisa Clayton looked after the roof top animals in Agouza during the first year. Magda Sharaf El Din helped with tortoise medical issues in the early stages of the program.
There have been reoccurring problems with Runny Nose Syndrome, which a few animals suffered from. But under Kaori's excellent care, the health of most of the animals has remained stable and the illness was kept in check. TortoiseCare hopes that by taking at least half the rooftop animals to the Zaranik Protected Area in North Sinai and reducing crowding on the rooftop, it will help to improve the health of the remaining animals.
During the first year at the Agouza roof top, 40 eggs were laid and 2 eggs produced hatchlings. During the second summer over 120 eggs were laid, of which 11 hatched. Of the 14 babies that hatched, 10 have survived and are doing well and have grown considerably.
Zaranik Protected Area Captive Breeding and Reintroduction Project
The Zaranik Protected Area is under the supervision of the Nature Conservation Sector of the EEAA and is one of Egypt's top nature reserves. It protects outstanding wetland and coastal habitats on the North Sinai Mediterranean coast. Zaranik is a lagoon on Lake Bardawil, listed as an "internationally important wetland" under the RAMSAR Convention. It is also a major bottleneck in the autumn for migrating birds and has been listed by BirdLife International as an "Important Bird Area" (IBA). The North Sinai coast, like other coasts in Egypt is undergoing significant development for land reclamation for agriculture, tourism development and urban expansion. The habitats at Zaranik are one of the few Egyptian Tortoise habitats protected. Thus, it was hoped through the project to promote the conservation of the Zaranik Protected Area as the area is threatened by development and other human activities.
The Development Cooperation Division, the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Cairo provided a generous grant to launch the project as part of their small projects program. The project is being conducted in close cooperation with Waheed Salama, Manager, Zaranik Protected Area who is assisting with the local supervision of the captive breeding and reintroduction project.
This project includes:
The Tortoise Trust is likewise playing an active role by setting-up and hosting the project website. Andy Highfield made a month long visit to Egypt in December 1998 to help with the animals and produce a film about the project. Moreover, the Tortoise Trust is helping to raise funds to support this and other TortoiseCare initiatives.
What has taken place to date
An enclosure 75 x 50 meters divided into three compartments was constructed at Zaranik near the Visitor Center. The enclosed habitat is being lightly watered to help regenerate the plant cover. The Community Guards at Zaranik whom are local bedouins are looking after the facility
Educational and promotional materials have been produced. A logo has been designed. T-shirts, stickers and a poster have been made and will be distributed to the local and national community to generate support for the project.
Planned activities
Given the numbers of Egyptian Tortoises still illicitly being traded in Egypt, there is a great need to establish a proper space where animals can be taken care of after confiscation. And since the police will now only surrender confiscated animals to a governmental body, it has become apparent that such a rehabilitation facility would fit very appropriately in one of the Protected Areas just outside Cairo managed by the NCS. This would also facilitate easy access to monitor the animals, and provide them with much better space and conditions than the Giza Zoological Garden where they are currently taken. The facility could also be used for captive breeding. Funds are being sought for the establishment of such a facility.
Networking and Dissemination of Information
TortoiseCare has been networking to improve cooperation and communication with the different persons and bodies concerned with the Egyptian tortoise and its conservation. Contact has been established with national and international organizations and concerned individuals, including The Zoological Society of London, Tortoise Trust, World Society for the Protection of Animals (WASP) and Virgina McKenna (Zoo Check / Born Free Society).
TortoiseCare is now regularly being contacted by persons whom keep tortoises in Egypt and giving medical and other advise about keeping tortoises. The Tortoise Trust also provides information about the care and maintenance of the Egyptian Tortoise.
Halting the Collection and Export from Libya
OTHER MEASURES NEEDED TO CONSERVE THE EGYPTIAN TORTOISE:
Sea Turtle Surveys
GEF Medwet Biodiversity Project
DANIDA Environmental Program
Scientific Research
About the coordinators of TortoiseCare
Mindy Baha El Din, is also an advisor to the Nature Conservation Sector, and is the driving force behind much of TortoiseCare activities. She shares her husband's deep concern for the species and for nature conservation at large.
|