The Comoro Islands

Action plan for the protection of the turtle and the Livingstone-bat in the French Republic of the Comoro Islands.

Avec le soutien de la :

Fondation Nature et Découvertes

Introduction

The turtles are one of the most endangered species in the world.

Of the seven most well known species six belong to the category of "vulnerable", "endangered"or "critically endangered" (l'UICN & WCMC 1998).

All species of turtles are listed in the annexe 1 of CITES (Agreement concerning the international trade of species of flora and fauna whose survival is threatened) e.g. international trade is strictly forbidden.

Turtles are being protected on an international level, e.g. the" world-wide strategy for the protection of turtles" (UICN 1995) and the "Strategy and action plan for the protection of the turtles in the Western Indian Ocean" (UICN 1996).

Within the frame work of the project "Conservation of the biodiversity and continuous development of the Comoro Islands", which has been completed by the direction of the commission of conservation, much will be expected from the action plan for the protection of the turtles.

On the 10th and 11th of May 2000 the members of the Ulanga organisation from the island of Moheli, were invited by the regional office of environment to discuss an action plan for the protection of the turtle.

• World-wide Danger of turtle extinction.
• Regional and worldwide importance of the beaches of Moheli as turtle nesting regions.
• Ulanga strengthens its position for the environmental protection with emphasis on the turtles.

Four main themes were suggested whereby the local population was integrated into action plans.

1. Better education of the local environmental organisation to improve efficiency.
2. The observation and surveillance of the beaches on which the turtles lay their eggs and which should be declared as protected zones.  
   Le développement d'un service de gardes pour assurer la surveillance anti-braconnage.
3. Expansion of the Eco-tourism.
4. Protection of the forest.

The green turtle

In order that the project together with Ulanga organisation can be realised, we organised an evaluation trip from the 1st to the31st of august 2001 in order to discuss the project with those responsible. The most necessary needs were evaluated and the possibilities of short and long term cooperation were discussed in detail.

As soon as the necessary money has been found, Terre & Faune will be able to support the local organisation.

1. Protection of the turtles
1. Education and payment of the guards
2. Sensibilisation of the population
3. Scientific research concerning the biology of the turtle
2. Conservation of the Livingston bat
3. Local waste management

1. Protection of the turtles

The protection of the turtles can be realised in many ways:

A. Education and payment of the guards

They have the job to guard the beaches 24h a day and to collect scientific data concerning the behaviour of the turtle. This work is an ideal possibility to create new jobs, which make poaching less attractive.
Financial capital is necessary to :

• Increase the number of guards
• Equip them with adequate material i.e. torches, and scientific material
• To give them the possibility to use preventive means such as motorboats, to patrol the coasts.

B. Sensiblisation of the population

It is important to make the local population aware of their environment, an undertaking that will be made easier by the simultaneous expansion of eco- tourism. Through this, employment can be created.

Financial capital is necessary for :

• Bungalows and restaurants with suitable fittings (Solar panels, refrigerators)
• Education of qualified personal to receive tourists
• Education of nature guides and construction of nature paths
• Intensify the handicraft trade by increasing funds.

C. Scientific research concerning the biology of the turtle

In order to better understand the life cycle of the turtle, it has to be observed for many years. The most suitable places are the beaches where the turtles lay their eggs every three years. The ringing of the turtle allows them to be traced over a long period of time.
Another system using a transmitter attached to the shell allows tracking by satellite. A turtle on Moheli has been equipped with this system by specialists from La Reunion. These scientists have at the same time trained a few local guards to systematically collect various informations.

Financial capital is necessary to :

• Assure the future of the study of the ringed turtles so that they can be traced every time they appear on the island.
• Equip more turtles on Moheli with transmitters.

This capital will support the efforts of the Ulanga organisation to study the 2500 ringed turtles i.e. observation of the development, nesting and the migration of the animals. All of this will help to understand the turtles and their needs and therefore help to guarantee their protection.

2. Protection of the Livingston-bat

The Livingston bat is a big and endemic species, i.e. it only exists on the Comoro Islands.

The existence of this species is threatened, as there are only 700 animals left on the island of Moheli and Anjuan. Therefore steps have to be immediately taken to protect their territory.

Terre & Faune wants to support the Ulanga organisation in Ouallah, a little village at the foot of a forest in which the bats are living. A few of the locals are very proud of the bats and are very motivated to protect them thanks to active protection of the environment and development of eco-tourism. These people are extremely dynamic although they have to work in very poor conditions.
The idea would be to buy land from the owner of the forest thereby creating a protected area. Terre & Faune will investigate the possibilities to realise this project in order to help these motivated people to reach their aim.

3. Local waste management

The island of Grande Comore, which is economically further developed than Moheli has to deal with a big problem:

Waste management

At the present time all tins, organic waste, plastic bags etc are thrown into the sea. The tins create a water reservoir, which facilitates the development of malaria. Cholera also threatens the population. The plastic bags, which lie around everywhere, suffocate the coral or are swallowed by the turtles, which confuse them with jellyfish. The turtles are already threatened by the poachers and the destruction of the beaches where they lay their eggs. Additionally they risk death due to blocked intestines.
The destruction of the corals and the disappearance of the turtles, and therefore their offspring which serve as a protein rich nourishment for the fish leads in its turn to the destruction of the fishing grounds and consequently the source of income for he local fishermen.

The human being cannot interfere with nature without endangering its own existence. This is proved by the previous example.

Terre & Faune will try to develop, together with the Ulanga organisation, a project dedicated to the treatment of aluminium and plastic products.
The idea would be to strategically place various collection containers in the village and to persuade the children to collect the empty tins and plastic bags for which they will receive a small reimbursement.
A network of manual workers will collect the waste aluminium from which they will produce various new utensils.
At the present moment in time nothing can be done with the plastic bags and at the worst they will have to be either buried or burned.

Thanks to our project ''Petit Train de Terre et Faune" we were able to guarentee the annual salary of two ecoguards i.e.:

3000 FCH