Challenges in Conservation of the Southernmost tortoise of the World: Chaco Tortoise, Chelonoidis chilensis (Gray, 1870)

KUBISCH, ERIKA L.; ECHAVE, MARIA EUGENIA; KAZIMIERSKI, LAILA; IBÁÑEZ MOLINA, MORA; LANERI, KARINA

Tucson

Simposio; 20th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles; 2022

The Chaco Tortoise Chelonoidis chilensis is the southernmost continental tortoise in the world. It is distributed from southwestern Bolivia and western Paraguay to northern Patagonia in Argentina. In 2011, the C. chilensis complex, which includes substantial morphological and genetic variability throughout the range, was genetically determined to correspond to a single species. This engendered the re-classification by the federal Argentinian government from threatened to vulnerable. However, the main threats for the species continue to mount, like the reduction, modification and destruction of habitat, primarily by agriculture, and wildlife trafficking.There is currently little information regarding the biology and ecology of this species. Here we present the preliminary results from monitoring a population of C. chilensis in the southernmost distribution in Patagonia. Since 2016, we have spent 180 days in the field during the tortoise activity season. We tagged 131 individuals, of which 70 were recaptured at least once, obtaining a total of 386 observations. We recorded temperature, weight, and morphometrics and collected samples of faeces, blood, urine and oropharyngeal mucosa to analyze health factors. We studied the movement of 12 individuals using radiotelemetry and GPS.We discovered serious local threats: exotic predators (feral dog and wild boar), road mortalities, fires, lots of drownings in a 180 km long canal of water, release into the wild of petized individuals and cattle grazing. Grazing results in habitat modification, including forage depletion and soil compaction. Of even greater concern is nest trampling. The incubation period can last more than 14 months, providing an extended period of trampling opportunity. We are carrying out a strong raising-awareness campaign in the local community,workshops for the ranchers and we are advising municipality and Provincial Wildlife Government Agency staff.