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Sea turtles in Angola
CONSERVATION A R O U N D THE WORLD
15~E
SEA T U R T L E S I N A N G O L A
It is common knowledge today that the world populations of sea turtles are, with few proven exceptions, showing a general decline. Active steps are being taken by international agencies, such as the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, to halt this decline, but their efforts are limited without the cooperation of individual states. However, there are hopeful signs that many countries are beginning to show interest in turtle conservation and in controlling the hitherto unrestricted exploitation of this resource. Angola (Fig. 1) is such a state, where it appears there are substantial populations of sea turtles--both nesting and non-nesting. Brief initial surveys by two of us (B.H. & D.W.) indicate that, although local domestic exploitation by coastal tribesmen is relatively serious, and natural predation of eggs by wild carnivores (leopard, jackal, hyaena, monitor lizards, and mongoose) is high, the situation is not yet desperate, and there is every likelihood that, if conservation measures are implemented in the near future, all species will be preserved. The following brief details have been gathered from Angola:
2~E
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .,
Zaire
N
"" ..... "--"
.... iI
Luaoa
i I
QUtgAMA
10os.
O 0J
U ~
/ob.o
en~ela
~
"8
g ALEXA~ORE KtLOMETRES 400
South West Africa
.... - ,_. . . . . . . . . "~.""
Fig. 1. Sketch-map of Angola, West Africa, indicating National Parks and localities mentioned. Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Turtle): Loggerheads have been recorded in Angolan waters but no indications have been noted of nesting activity. Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive Ridley Turtle): There appear to be substantial numbers of Olive Ridleys in Angola and suggestions that nesting takes place near Luanda. Adults are killed by local Africans for domestic consumption. Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill Turtle): Hawksbills have been recorded in Angola, but their status is uncertain. No nesting has been reported.
Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback Turtle): There is a nesting population spread over some 200 kilometres of coast south of Luanda. Some of the nesting beaches are included in the Quigama National Park (Fig. 1). As much of Angola's coast has not yet been surveyed, it is not known whether this population is more wideFirst indications are that Angola is extremely rich spread than has yet been indicated. No details of the population are available as yet, but it is known that, in marine turtle resources, as general sightings report outside of the Quigama National Park, eggs are taken numerous turtles as far south as the Foz do Cunene by the local Africans--apparently without disturbing (see Fig. 1), and, where nesting has been observed, the density appears to be high, e.g. 30 tracks on a 500the adults. Chelonia mydas (Green Turtle): This species appears metre stretch of beach. A more detailed survey will be carried out in Angola to be common along the Angolan coast and there are indications that, south of Luanda, the nesting popula- in the near future, when it should prove possible to confirm the tentative observations recorded here; in tion on mainland beaches is large. 58 Biological Conservation, Vol. 5, No. 1, January 1973--O Applied Science Publishers Ltd, England, 1973--Printed in Great Britain
Conservation Around the Worm
59
the meantime it is encouraging to know that yet The Square-lipped or White Rhinoceros (Ceratoanother country is starting to investigate this invaluable therium simum simum) became extinct in Botswana marine resource. probably somewhere around 1890 (Bryden, 1893). G. R. HUGHES, Historical records assembled by Smithers (1971) Oceanographic Research Institute, indicate a former distribution in the eastern and PO Box 736, northern regions of Botswana, including Lake Ngami Durban, and the area around present-day Ghanzi where South Africa, Andersson (1856) shot both species. The reasons for B. HUNTLEY & D. WEARNE, the extermination of the White Rhino can be seen in the Servicos de Veterinario, same causes as were mentioned for the reduction of CP 527, Luanda, the Black Rhino. However, individual White Rhinos Angola. have been contacted in northeastern Botswana; they were probably stragglers from the Wankie National Park, Rhodesia. BLACK AND SQUARE-LIPPED RHINOCEROSES IN BOTSWANA
The distribution of the Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) has shrunk drastically within historical times in Botswana. As indicated by the records of early travellers, hunters, and missionaries, the species was once widespread and probably only absent from the very dry central and southwestern Kalahari. Smithers (1971) summarizes those early accounts. The reduction in range and numbers can be attributed to the excessive hunting of the species in early times and to large-scale habitat changes, including the drying-up of permanent rivers and springs in most of Botswana (Campbell & Child, 1971). The widespread bush encroachment in northern Botswana would seem to be very favourable for the Black Rhinoceros; however, permanent surface-water is scarce and might limit any major population increase. Today, the Black Rhinoceros is confined in small numbers to the Okavango Delta, the vicinity of the Kwando River (near the Caprivi), and in the northwestern parts of the Chobe National Park.* Individual animals have been reported from northeastern Botswana, adjacent to the Wankie National Park, and it is thought that they wandered across the border into Botswana. So far no detailed survey has been carried out to assess the total Black Rhino population in Botswana and its present distribution. Smithers (1971) gives a figure of approximately 20 animals, based on visual sightings and spoors. However, it seems quite probable that an intensive survey would reveal a higher number, especially in the Okavango Delta and northwestern Botswana--areas which are very thinly populated and remote from any permanent human habitation.
Fig. 1. Introduced White Rhinoceros with calf born in Chobe National Park, Botswana. Photo: A. C. Campbell.
In July 1967, four White Rhinos (2 males and 2 females) arrived at the Chobe National Park.t They were donated by the Republic of South Africa and originated from the Zululand reserves in South Africa. They were kept in a paddock of approximately 18 acres (7.3 ha) in the Chobe National Park and on 29 November 1971, the first calf, a male, was born (Fig. 1). The Department of Wildlife and National Parks is considering the re-introduction of more White Rhinos to the Chobe National Park and to Nxai Pan National Park or the Makgadikgadi Game Reserve. After a short period of settling down in a paddock, they will all be released into the Parks--including the five animals in the Chobe National Park. Both rhinoceros species are fully protected in Botswana, the last Black Rhinos to be killed being shot by a poacher in 1936 in northwestern Botswana. Recently, a Black Rhinoceros was shot to the west of
* For location map, see page 8 of this issue, in the paper t Regarding the translocation of rhinos in Southern of Director A. C. Campbell on The National Park and Africa, several notes have already been published in this Journal.--Ed. Reserve System in Botswana.--Ed.
15~E
SEA T U R T L E S I N A N G O L A
It is common knowledge today that the world populations of sea turtles are, with few proven exceptions, showing a general decline. Active steps are being taken by international agencies, such as the World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, to halt this decline, but their efforts are limited without the cooperation of individual states. However, there are hopeful signs that many countries are beginning to show interest in turtle conservation and in controlling the hitherto unrestricted exploitation of this resource. Angola (Fig. 1) is such a state, where it appears there are substantial populations of sea turtles--both nesting and non-nesting. Brief initial surveys by two of us (B.H. & D.W.) indicate that, although local domestic exploitation by coastal tribesmen is relatively serious, and natural predation of eggs by wild carnivores (leopard, jackal, hyaena, monitor lizards, and mongoose) is high, the situation is not yet desperate, and there is every likelihood that, if conservation measures are implemented in the near future, all species will be preserved. The following brief details have been gathered from Angola:
2~E
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .,
Zaire
N
"" ..... "--"
.... iI
Luaoa
i I
QUtgAMA
10os.
O 0J
U ~
/ob.o
en~ela
~
"8
g ALEXA~ORE KtLOMETRES 400
South West Africa
.... - ,_. . . . . . . . . "~.""
Fig. 1. Sketch-map of Angola, West Africa, indicating National Parks and localities mentioned. Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Turtle): Loggerheads have been recorded in Angolan waters but no indications have been noted of nesting activity. Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive Ridley Turtle): There appear to be substantial numbers of Olive Ridleys in Angola and suggestions that nesting takes place near Luanda. Adults are killed by local Africans for domestic consumption. Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill Turtle): Hawksbills have been recorded in Angola, but their status is uncertain. No nesting has been reported.
Dermochelys coriacea (Leatherback Turtle): There is a nesting population spread over some 200 kilometres of coast south of Luanda. Some of the nesting beaches are included in the Quigama National Park (Fig. 1). As much of Angola's coast has not yet been surveyed, it is not known whether this population is more wideFirst indications are that Angola is extremely rich spread than has yet been indicated. No details of the population are available as yet, but it is known that, in marine turtle resources, as general sightings report outside of the Quigama National Park, eggs are taken numerous turtles as far south as the Foz do Cunene by the local Africans--apparently without disturbing (see Fig. 1), and, where nesting has been observed, the density appears to be high, e.g. 30 tracks on a 500the adults. Chelonia mydas (Green Turtle): This species appears metre stretch of beach. A more detailed survey will be carried out in Angola to be common along the Angolan coast and there are indications that, south of Luanda, the nesting popula- in the near future, when it should prove possible to confirm the tentative observations recorded here; in tion on mainland beaches is large. 58 Biological Conservation, Vol. 5, No. 1, January 1973--O Applied Science Publishers Ltd, England, 1973--Printed in Great Britain
Conservation Around the Worm
59
the meantime it is encouraging to know that yet The Square-lipped or White Rhinoceros (Ceratoanother country is starting to investigate this invaluable therium simum simum) became extinct in Botswana marine resource. probably somewhere around 1890 (Bryden, 1893). G. R. HUGHES, Historical records assembled by Smithers (1971) Oceanographic Research Institute, indicate a former distribution in the eastern and PO Box 736, northern regions of Botswana, including Lake Ngami Durban, and the area around present-day Ghanzi where South Africa, Andersson (1856) shot both species. The reasons for B. HUNTLEY & D. WEARNE, the extermination of the White Rhino can be seen in the Servicos de Veterinario, same causes as were mentioned for the reduction of CP 527, Luanda, the Black Rhino. However, individual White Rhinos Angola. have been contacted in northeastern Botswana; they were probably stragglers from the Wankie National Park, Rhodesia. BLACK AND SQUARE-LIPPED RHINOCEROSES IN BOTSWANA
The distribution of the Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) has shrunk drastically within historical times in Botswana. As indicated by the records of early travellers, hunters, and missionaries, the species was once widespread and probably only absent from the very dry central and southwestern Kalahari. Smithers (1971) summarizes those early accounts. The reduction in range and numbers can be attributed to the excessive hunting of the species in early times and to large-scale habitat changes, including the drying-up of permanent rivers and springs in most of Botswana (Campbell & Child, 1971). The widespread bush encroachment in northern Botswana would seem to be very favourable for the Black Rhinoceros; however, permanent surface-water is scarce and might limit any major population increase. Today, the Black Rhinoceros is confined in small numbers to the Okavango Delta, the vicinity of the Kwando River (near the Caprivi), and in the northwestern parts of the Chobe National Park.* Individual animals have been reported from northeastern Botswana, adjacent to the Wankie National Park, and it is thought that they wandered across the border into Botswana. So far no detailed survey has been carried out to assess the total Black Rhino population in Botswana and its present distribution. Smithers (1971) gives a figure of approximately 20 animals, based on visual sightings and spoors. However, it seems quite probable that an intensive survey would reveal a higher number, especially in the Okavango Delta and northwestern Botswana--areas which are very thinly populated and remote from any permanent human habitation.
Fig. 1. Introduced White Rhinoceros with calf born in Chobe National Park, Botswana. Photo: A. C. Campbell.
In July 1967, four White Rhinos (2 males and 2 females) arrived at the Chobe National Park.t They were donated by the Republic of South Africa and originated from the Zululand reserves in South Africa. They were kept in a paddock of approximately 18 acres (7.3 ha) in the Chobe National Park and on 29 November 1971, the first calf, a male, was born (Fig. 1). The Department of Wildlife and National Parks is considering the re-introduction of more White Rhinos to the Chobe National Park and to Nxai Pan National Park or the Makgadikgadi Game Reserve. After a short period of settling down in a paddock, they will all be released into the Parks--including the five animals in the Chobe National Park. Both rhinoceros species are fully protected in Botswana, the last Black Rhinos to be killed being shot by a poacher in 1936 in northwestern Botswana. Recently, a Black Rhinoceros was shot to the west of
* For location map, see page 8 of this issue, in the paper t Regarding the translocation of rhinos in Southern of Director A. C. Campbell on The National Park and Africa, several notes have already been published in this Journal.--Ed. Reserve System in Botswana.--Ed.