Background

The Manu River in Peru is home for many species. Notably, one of them is the sideneck turtle (Podocnemis Unifilis), an aquatic turtle. They are facing a huge depletion in their population levels. The turtles' survival is an uphill battle due to illegal gathering of eggs and their capture for food. In the Manu National park, they are protected by law, but as the Machiguenga and other indigenous tribes living in the area rely on them as a food source, sustainability of the future turtle populations is necessary. The Sideneck Turtle Management and Conservation Program was created to address this.

This project was developed in Manu national park by the indigenous village of Tayacome with the support of Pronaturaleza. Its aim is maintaining the sustainability of sideneck turtles in the Manu Biosphere Reserve, while benefitting the indigenous groups that inhabit the region.

Objectives

  1. Study and analysis of sideneck turtles Decrease of illegal egg collection
  2. Regulations enacted by the Manu National Park to prevent trespassing of beaches
  3. Estimating future demand for eggs by indigenous groups
  4. Formation of the Tayacome Sideneck Turtle Management Committee to manage conservation

Methodology

The Tayacome Sideneck Turtle Management Committee manages out the following activities:

  1. Relocation of eggs at risk of flooding to safer beaches
  2. Creation of high beaches as protection against flooding
  3. Control of hatcheries, marking turtles, and monitoring them after release
  4. The turtle adoption program

The Machiguenga have been trained to carry out all project activities. Once the turtles hatch, they are released into the river and oxbow lakes or are available for adoption. Adopted turtles are released by native Machiguenga into the river in your name, or in person if you plan to be traveling in the area.