Endemic to Myanmar (formerly Burma) this species was “rediscovered” in 2002 when Gerald Kuchling retrieved three specimens from a temple pond in Mandalay. Currently a captive nucleus of six (3.3) specimens is held at the Yadanabon Zoo in Mandalay, in a facility inadequate for a group of turtle this important. A group from TSA met with an architect in October 2005 and came up with a new facility design that will provide for the needs and breeding requirements of this group, and allow expansion of the captive population.

Utilizing a pair of water retention ponds at the Zoo plans call for enhancement of water flow and biological filtration, addition of a large sand nesting area, an anchored basking platform, and fenced feeding area. A separate management area will feature grow-out ponds for juveniles and isolation ponds for new arrivals or sick animals. An 8-foot security fence will surround the entire facility.

The total price tag is ~$11,000 US. The BCG donation will be matched by the TSA with funds provided through our Batchelor Foundation grant. Construction is expected to get underway late February 2006. The captive program will be closely linked with the field component, where a WCS funded team is working on the Upper Chindwin to protect the few remaining K. trivittata nesting beaches. Look forward to updates on the TSA website as this project progresses.

This is the second such partnership initiative between the TSA and BCG, the first being India. In 2004 the BCG funded the construction of new aquatic turtle breeding facilities at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust Centre for Herpetology (MCBT) that will allow improved captive management of endangered Indian turtles.

(Click the BCG logo above to visit the BCG web site which will open in a new window.)