Tomas Diagne1,Bernard Devaux2 ,Lamine Diagne3

Senegal is a small country located in extreme West Africa with a surface area of 196.712 km2. It is characterized by a great diversity of ecosystems: wetlands, savannas, and rain-forest. This presentation attempts to identify the natural habitats for three species of tortoises (family of the testudinidae) and five species of terrapins (family of Pelomedusidae and Trionychidae). The latter occupy habitats in the large rivers Senegal and Gambia, as well as the temporary ponds which are formed during the short three month rainy season. For several years, three associations (Nature tropicale, SOPTOM, S.O.S-environment and FRD) have worked together in global partnership with the local populations and the Ministry of the Environment for the implementation of the conservation plans for the tortoise and terrapin conservation priority of Centrochelys sulcata in Center-East and Pelusios adansonii in the North-East. This work has made it possible to better understand the distribution of all the chelonian species living in Senegal. It has also led to the improvement of the state of conservation of certain species which are the subject of active plans of conservation.
Africa & Madagascar Session: Oral

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