Title
Marine turtles and estuarine crocodiles in Lampi Marine National Park, Myanmar: a conservation and threat assessment with recommendations.
Author(s)
Platt, S.G.;Platt, K.;Soe, M.M.;Myo, K.M.;Holmes, K.E.;Rainwater, T.R.
Published
2015
Publisher
Herpetological Review
Abstract
National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other protected
areas often figure prominently in successful species conservation
strategies (Stohlgren et al. 1994; Bruner et al. 2001). Protected
areas can safeguard habitats for the long-term maintenance of
biodiversity while at the same time serving as baselines against
which biological and ecosystem change can be measured
(Stohlgren et al. 1994). To realize these objectives, protected area
managers require species inventories, accurate assessments
of conservation status, and an understanding of existing and
potential anthropogenic threats (Stohlgren et al. 1994; Castellano
et al. 2003; Tuberville et al. 2005). Such information is essential
for effectively targeting conservation efforts, formulating
management policies, prioritizing research, and designing
appropriate monitoring protocols, especially where cryptic, rare,
and threatened species are concerned (Oliver and Beattie 1993;
Stohlgren et al. 1994; Castellano et al. 2003; Tuberville et al. 2005).
The protected area system in Myanmar plays a pivotal role
in the national and regional conservation of marine turtles
(Olive Ridley [Lepidochelys olivacea], Loggerhead [Caretta
caretta], Green Turtle [Chelonia mydas], Hawksbill [Eretmochelys
imbricata]), and Estuarine Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). For
example, Thamihla (also spelled “Thameehla”) Kyun Wildlife
Sanctuary hosts nesting populations of C. mydas, L. olivacea,
C. caretta, and E. imbricata, Moscos Island Wildlife Sanctuary
is an important nesting area for E. imbricata and Meinmahla
Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary harbors the only viable population of
C. porosus remaining in Myanmar and one of the few known in
the region (Thorbjarnarson et al. 2000a, 2000b; Rao et al. 2002;
Thorbjarnarson et al. 2006; Onishi 2009; Beffasti and Galanti
2011; Holmes et al. 2014).
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