TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring program of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), found the number of critically endangered freshwater turtle species has more than doubled since 1996.

   This warning paints a bleak picture for the world's amphibians especially when added to the results of a study released by WWF-Canada that shows a large and growing number of Canada's reptiles and amphibians are at risk of extinction as a result of habitat loss, the pet trade, global warming and toxic contaminants. "Reptiles and amphibians don't have the same cuddle appeal as some of the mammals and birds that grace Canada's landscape," said Cathy Merriman, WWF-Canada's senior manager of conservation science.

   In Asia more than half of the freshwater turtle and tortoise species are endangered, including 18 critically endangered species, and one that is already extinct - Cuora Yunnanensis, the Yunnan box turtle. Scientists and conservationists are urging more effective measures to protect these animals, which are killed primarily for food and traditional medicine. These findings clearly show that not enough is being done to prevent Asia's freshwater turtles from literally being eaten out of existence," said Dr. Joshua Ginsberg of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), which participated in the report.

   "Turtles have been protected from their enemies for millennia by their hard shells, but these are hard times for animals with hard shells as they are not impervious to the butcher's knives. Freshwater turtles, especially softshell turtles, are popular as a luxury food, costing six times the price of lamb or chicken. The turtle shell is used to supply the traditional Chinese medicine industry. The turtle jelly made from the shell is claimed to have cancer curing properties, and is consumed as a general health tonic. Taiwan alone imports more than 30 metric tons of turtle shells a year.

   More than 40 regional turtle experts from 16 countries met in Phnom Phen, Cambodia last December for a workshop which was organized by TRAFFIC, WWF and WSC. The participants urged that all recognized that all turtle species native to Asia be prohibited from international trade.

   In its list of recommendations, the IUCN Red List of threatened species recognizes that legislation and regulations to protect turtles from harvest and trade exist in Asian countries, but are not backed up by enforcement. The report calls for better enforcement at all levels of government, and a review of national legislation to close loopholes and avoid duplication of responsibilities among enforcement authorities. Other suggestions included outreach programs through schools and media to highlight the freshwater turtle's plight, and more research to develop herbal alternatives for turtle shell as a medicinal ingredient.

   WWF-Canada and the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network (CARCNET) recently released a wakeup call on the status of Canada's reptiles and amphibians. Forty percent of Canada's reptiles are endangered, threatened or of special concern. Reptiles and amphibians represent 16 percent of all species at risk in the country, but are currently receiving only two percent of the federal government funding for species recovery.

  "All species have an important role to play in ensuring a strong web of life and reptiles and amphibians are an important indicator of the health of our ecosystems," sates Merrimam. Recommendations include a call for stronger provincial policies to protect wetlands, effective forestry guidelines, reduction in the use of pesticides and improved enforcement of wildlife regulation.