By CELESTINE OVE
Scientists from the University of Canberra with the assistance of Oil Search Limited as operator of the oilfields and the World Wide Fund for Nature are assisting communities in the Kikori Delta to conserve the unique pig-nosed turtle.
The study being funded by Oil Search will look at ways to ensure the survival of "this iconic species for conservationists world wide," says Professor Arthur Georges of the University of Canberra and Project Leader.
Oil Search believes that there are significant corporate economic and competitive advantages in good environmental management; - this is reflected in the depth and scope of the company's environmental management regime. The pig nosed turtle program is part of the Oil Search conservation and protection program, aimed at protecting and conserving rare and endemic local flora and fauna species for the benefit of science and future generations of Papua New Guinea.
"The pig-nosed turtle is one of our most spectacular species. As the last surviving species of a once widespread family of turtles, the pig-nosed turtle is of great interest to scientists and conservation groups around the world," Professor Georges has stated. In his opinion, the future of the pig-nosed turtle is in doubt.
"Human populations are increasing along river banks, new harvesting techniques are being increasingly introduced, particularly outboard motors and new opportunities for trade in turtle and turtle products are opening up. All this puts pressure on turtle populations."
The pig-nosed turtle has been an important food source for local communities in the Kikori Delta for generations and the people are intent on seeing that this resource remains available for more generations to come.
However Professor Georges warns that, like any fishery, there is a risk of turtle population collapse if there is over-harvesting.
"A first step is to determine if the species is in fact in decline, and if it is, to determine how serious the decline is. We all want to see the pig-nosed turtle populations managed sustainably into the future."
Earlier data on pig-nosed turtle populations collected by Mark Rose, now the CEO of Flora and Fauna International, in the 1980s will provide an excellent benchmark for the research team.
"The team can now compare sizes of harvested turtles, egg sizes, clutch sizes, levels of egg fertility and other catch statistics from the 1980's data with data we collect during this study," says Professor Georges.
He adds that this will provide the first rigorous assessment of the increase in harvest pressure over the past three decades. The team will then determine if this is having a major impact on the turtle populations or not.
Another part of the study will focus on sex ratios.
"The pig-nosed turtle is unusual in that the sex of the baby turtles depends on nest temperatures during incubation in the egg. If the nest is hot, you will get all females, if it is cool, you get all males," Professor Georges explains.
He adds that there are obvious concerns for this species if the climate warms, but it is also important to know which geographic areas in the delta produce males and which areas produce females.
There are many other questions that the research team will be looking to answer.
"Our objective is to get as much relevant information on the turtle as possible so that the communities can make their decisions with as much knowledge as can be gathered." Professor Georges points out that it is important for the research team to have information that is in a form that the community can understand.
"The involvement of WWF, with its long track record of effective community engagement, is essential for bringing the new scientific knowledge to communities in a form that can be readily adopted in support of community decisions and action. Good science communicated effectively to the community is the secret to success."
Professor Georges and his research team of Brazilian PhD student, Carla Eisemberg from the National Institute of Amazon Research and highly experienced volunteer, Les Bauer from Queensland will be working closely with WWF's Felix Kinginapi and Bagi Oni.
This is the first visit to Papua New Guinea for young Eisemberg, who conducted a similar study of large river turtles in the Amazon Rainforest. She has a Masters in Freshwater Biology and Fisheries and has been attached with the University of Canberra since March this year. Ms Eisemberg will be collecting data for her major thesis titled 'Reproduction and Harvest of the Pig-Nosed Turtle in the Kikori River, Papua New Guinea.'
The research team will remain in the Kikori Delta for the next few months collecting as much data as they can.

Further Information:
Phone PNG 2786918 or email pngwwf14@oilsearch.com
Celestine Ove is a Government & Public Affairs Graduate with Oil Search Limited
 

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