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For tortoise, terrapin and turtle care and conservation

2018 CONSERVATION APPEAL - Sulcata Release Programme

Supporting the release and re-habilitation programme of the Sulcata Tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata) in Senegal.

Young Sulcata Tortoises in the Tortoise Village in Noflaye
Young Sulcata Tortoises in the Tortoise Village in Noflaye at breakfast, eating local grasses and vegetation, supplemented by pieces of watermelon; the latter being popular due to the high moisture content and the many nutrients these fruits contain.

You may make a donation using the button below.(Note: Unless you specify otherwise your donation will go to this year's appeal)

INTRODUCTION

In 2001 a Tortoise Village was opened in Senegal, in Noflaye, near Dakar. It was set up and funded by SOPTOM along the lines of the Tortoise Village in Gonfaron, South of France, which had opened its doors in 1986.

The Senegal Village has the same aims as the one in France, it aims to protect the Senegalese tortoises, particularly the most endangered, the Sahelian Tortoise, Centrochelys sulcata (Giant Sulcata Tortoise). Breeding schemes were successfully established in Noflaye and important public awareness tasks were also embarked upon.

However, it was considered important to conserve the Sulcata Tortoise “in situ” and to this effect a parcel of land was put for disposal of SOPTOM by the Prefect of Naverou, in Ferlo and various installations were constructed, amongst them a building which was named “La Maison des Tortues” (The Tortoise House).

Foreign capital has enabled the establishment of a natural reserve of 1200 hectares, some 35 km away in Katane as well as a programme of re-introduction of this threatened tortoise.

THE FERLO PROGRAMME

The programme carried out in Senegal by SOPTOM is fully supported by the Public Authorities, Water and Forest Bureau, National Parks, with the help of the University of Dakar (Alain Seck), the Regional Prefect, IUCN and the Senegalese Ministry of the Environment. Till now SOPTOM has been able to fully fund the operation.

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>A large effigy of a Sulcata Tortoise being erected to encourage visitors to the Sulcata Tortoise Village.
A large effigy of a Sulcata Tortoise being erected to encourage visitors to the Sulcata Tortoise Village.

The programme includes the following activities:

  • Gaining support from the local population. The construction of the “Tortoise House” has established a permanent base in Ranerou to conduct meetings and training sessions for the local population.
  • A European volunteer and naturalist position was created to prepare conservation programmes and a group of biologists, vets and volunteers have succeeded in setting up a coherent programme.
  • In 2004 a first Conservation Manager was appointed. Dr Antoine Cadi, a biologist from Lyon, was appointed to manage a conservation and re-introduction programme for the Sulcata Tortoise based on the creation of the large Natural Reserve of Katane.

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>Many local school classes and their teachers are now visiting the Sulcata Tortoise Village
Many local school classes and their teachers are now visiting the Sulcata Tortoise Village, accompanied by one of the staff of the Village for a guided tour. This is important as this is the age where the children are most receptive to the idea of conservation.

The posts of Conservation Managers were created for European naturalists, staying on site for two years, financed by SOPTOM and another French organisation helping actions abroad and up till 2017 four successive Conservation Managers have been working in the field, preparing, carrying out and developing the programmes provided by SOPTOM and successfully reintroducing and relocating the Sulcata Tortoises.

The last person in charge, Emmanuelle Mahé, finished her two year stint in 2017. However, due to the considerable expenses of creating the new Tortoise Village in Carnoules, South of France, SOPTOM has not the financial means to appoint a fifth Manager for 2018 and the lack of funding threatens to suspend the important re-introduction work.

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>In the nursery one of the staff is showing some of the Sulcata offspring to Farah Vercouter
In the nursery one of the staff is showing some of the Sulcata offspring to Farah Vercouter, the Director of the Village. Farah, a passionate tortoise lover, has managed to increase the number of visitors to the Village triple fold over the last two years.

WHERE THE BCG COMES IN

The British Chelonia Group has been invited to partner SOPTOM for 2018 and has agreed to transfer the sum of £10,000 at the beginning of January 2018 so that a new Conservation Manager can be appointed and start training at the site in Carnoules, France. The Manager will commence the re-introduction work in Senegal in March. The BCG hopes to raise the rest of the required money via an Appeal so that the last tranche of the money required can be paid out during October/November time. (To be continued)

PLEASE HELP THE BCG TO SAFEGUARD AND CONTINUE THE IMPORTANT REINTRODUCTION PROGRAMME OF THIS WONDERFUL GIANT TORTOISE
If you would like to donate you can do so when you renew your membership by adding the amount to the form or you can send a separate donation by cheque or postal order made out to THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP and specify that you would like the donation to go to the 2018 Conservation Appeal. Please send your cheque to :
The Membership Secretary BCG, P.O.Box 16216, Tamworth, B77 9LA.

You can also use the Donate Button at te top of this page.

Please be aware that if for any reason the money donated cannot be used for this appeal the BCG will use the money to support similar chelonian conservation projects.

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