BY SARAH ZIELINSKI

 
THE PIG-NOSED TURTLE – a freshwater species found in Papua New Guinea and northern Australia – is a cute little critter.

Its evolutionarily important because, not only is it the last member of its once widespread breed, it shares features with marine turtles and might represent a transition as turtles moved from freshwater to the oceans.

In addition, the turtle is a key source of protein for people in PNG, particularly in areas where protein is scarce.

In Australia, the turtle suffers from habitat loss, but the problem in PNG is different because people eat the turtles, and their eggs, in large quantities.

Scientists have found that female turtles have become smaller over the last 30 years as larger turtles were taken for food. In addition, local villagers intensively harvested turtle nests for eggs.

“The level of harvest involved is unlikely to be sustainable,” the scientists write.

But any management plan cannot be a simple one focused on eliminating hunting. The species will have to be managed more like a fishery. “We need to provide win-win outcomes to both local and conservation communities,” Carla Eisemberg of the University of Canberra says.

There are several roadblocks to conservation: The local human population is growing and people have settled along the riverbanks where they can more easily find turtles. New technologies, such as modern fishing equipment, have also aided the turtle harvest.

Don’t expect the scientists to give up, however. Turtles are important both to them and to the PNG people who depend on them for food.  The two groups must work together to let the pig-nosed turtle survive.