Training of Rafetus local counterpart from northern Vietnam

27th September 2016

Practical training on completing field records. We hope to start getting additional information on other species also. Photo credit: ATP

Over the weekend of the 24^th – 25^th of September 2016 the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of Indo Myanmar Conservation (ATP) has brought together all of the local counterparts from across northern Vietnam who are working to monitor five sites for the worlds most endangered turtle, Swinhoe’s Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei). The sites have been selected because of the historical occurrence of the species at them, but Dong Mo Lake remains the only Site where the species has been confirmed and an animal is seen regularly. The training also included forest protection staff from Son Tay District in which Dong Mo Lake is located.

Each participant was provided with a new field kit with a camera, binoculars, scales, calipers and other equipment for making observations on lakes and completing trade and field records for turtles they might encounter. Training practical included species identification, completing standardize animal field record forms, how to conduct basic interviews and make observations to try and csonfirm more Rafetus at these additional sites.

All the participants enjoyed the training and meeting the rest of the team. Over the next six months the ATP will coordinate intensive monitoring at the sites in the hope of recording more of these very rare turtles, but as always resources and manpower is limited. Please help support the ATP and its local counterpart team. Make a donation at http://asianturtleprogram.org/pages/support_atp.html, or emails us at info@asianturtleprogram.org

We would like to thank all the local counterparts for their enthusiasm, and to the Critically Endangered Partnership Fund (CEPF), the IUCN and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for supporting this activity.