Title
Marine turtles and estuarine crocodiles in Lampi Marine National Park, Myanmar: a conservation and threat assessment with recommendations.
Author(s)
Platt, S.G.;Platt, K.;Soe, M.M.;Myo, K.M.;Holmes, K.E.;Rainwater, T.R.
Published
2015
Publisher
Herpetological Review
Abstract
National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other protected areas often figure prominently in successful species conservation strategies (Stohlgren et al. 1994; Bruner et al. 2001). Protected areas can safeguard habitats for the long-term maintenance of biodiversity while at the same time serving as baselines against which biological and ecosystem change can be measured (Stohlgren et al. 1994). To realize these objectives, protected area managers require species inventories, accurate assessments of conservation status, and an understanding of existing and potential anthropogenic threats (Stohlgren et al. 1994; Castellano et al. 2003; Tuberville et al. 2005). Such information is essential for effectively targeting conservation efforts, formulating management policies, prioritizing research, and designing appropriate monitoring protocols, especially where cryptic, rare, and threatened species are concerned (Oliver and Beattie 1993; Stohlgren et al. 1994; Castellano et al. 2003; Tuberville et al. 2005). The protected area system in Myanmar plays a pivotal role in the national and regional conservation of marine turtles (Olive Ridley [Lepidochelys olivacea], Loggerhead [Caretta caretta], Green Turtle [Chelonia mydas], Hawksbill [Eretmochelys imbricata]), and Estuarine Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). For example, Thamihla (also spelled “Thameehla”) Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary hosts nesting populations of C. mydas, L. olivacea, C. caretta, and E. imbricata, Moscos Island Wildlife Sanctuary is an important nesting area for E. imbricata and Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary harbors the only viable population of C. porosus remaining in Myanmar and one of the few known in the region (Thorbjarnarson et al. 2000a, 2000b; Rao et al. 2002; Thorbjarnarson et al. 2006; Onishi 2009; Beffasti and Galanti 2011; Holmes et al. 2014).

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