Rote island is part of Lesser Sunda Region. This island is located in Southernmost East Nusa Tenggara. Rote island has a long dry season in a year. As its geographic location that is close to Australia and Papua, one of Chelidae’s species is distributed in this Island. The species is endemic for this island. Rote island snake-necked turtle (Chelodina mccordi) is the only turtle species can be found in this island. Unfortunately, this species is one of the world’s rarest turtles (Turtle Conservation Coalition, 2011).
Conservation Challenges
Main threat for this species was illegal trading that occurred between 1980 – 2000. Many turtles has been exported in past caused population decline for the species. Furthermore, land changing and increased activity in habitat area of turtle has made reduction in habitat number in the island.
The management authorities are confronted with multifaceted challenges in conserving this species, a condition exacerbated by various factors including extensive trade, leading to a marked decline in its population. Moreover, the escalating impacts of climate change have further compounded these challenges with reduced lake water supply, and in some instances, complete drying up of freshwater lakes on Rote Island, significantly altering the habitat dynamics for the species and forcing it to contend with increasingly limited and fragmented habitats. Adding to these challenges is the proliferation of invasive predator species, such as the snakehead fish, which poses a significant threat to the already endangered turtle population.
Conservation Approach
WCS-IP Rote Island program has been supporting East Nusa Tenggara Conservation Agency since 2016 to bring back Rote snake-necked turtle species to its natural habitat on Rote Island and stabilize the population. The main activity of the conservation program started with assessment of the last status of the species on the Island, and awareness of its threatened conservation status. These activities were followed by establishing a breeding center in Kupang (the capital city of East Nusa Tenggara Province) as an "Assurance Colony" facility, and the implementation of conservation programs that are particularly focused on reintroducing the species.
Activities
WCS-Rote Island program has been starting since 2016.The main focus of this program is to bring back C. mccordi to their natural habitat in Rote island and stabilize the population. The main activity of WCS-Rote Island Program here are:
- Assessment the last status of C. mccordi in Rote island
- Enhancement of awareness for C. mccordi in Rote island and East Nusa Tenggara due to its status (almost extinct in the wild)
- Implementation of species conservation program (C. mccordi), especially in species reintroduction.
- Establishment of breeding center for C. mccordi in Rote island