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TARICAYA IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION

There are around 335 species of turtles on the planet, of
which 19 inhabit Peru. Of the latter, 5 are marine and the
other 14 – terrestrial and freshwater – mostly inhabit the
Amazon.

One of these most representative Amazon turtles is the

taricaya. Those who have had the opportunity to navigate the
rivers of the jungle have possibly come across these reptiles
that usually sun themselves on top of the remains of dead
trees that fall on the banks.

The taricaya (Podocnemis unifilis) is a turtle that three

decades ago was about to disappear. This situation made
organizations such as the National Service of Natural Areas
Protected by the State (Sernanp), allied organizations and the
communities that take advantage of this species come
together to save it, and the result was encouraging, since in
recent years the population of this species turtle has
presented an improvement.
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However, despite this renaissance, it cannot yet be said that it

is out of danger because there are not enough field studies
that conclude that it already has a stable population,
according to Pierina Elorrieta Cano, a research biologist at the
San Diego Zoo. Global.

The specialist works on the Taricaya Project, a study that

covers the Manu National Park, from the Colpa ravine to the
mouth of the river that gives the protected area its name. The
objective of the study is to measure the population of this
species in the area and detect the threats that contribute to its
reduction.

Pierina Elorrieta spent four months doing field work, visiting

hundreds of beaches in search of taricaya nests.

Elorrieta Cano explains that the investigation has three

phases. In the first, which begins between July and August,
the taricayas that bask in the palisades are observed and
counted. The second stage, which runs from August to
September, consists of marking and georeferencing the nests.
Finally, the third stage has to do with the hatching and
subsequent departure from the nests towards the river. Each
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taricaya lays an average of 25 eggs and hatching occurs in 70

days.

This task, in all its stages, is carried out with the support of
assistants who come from the nearby native communities,
especially from the Machiguenga ethnic group. "Their help
has been crucial throughout the investigation," adds the
specialist, whom we accompany in this monitoring that is
carried out at all hours of the day, even at dawn, especially
when the "charitos" (newly hatched taricayas) are about to to
leave the nest.

The human, the main threat

Although the taricaya has several predators, the biggest of
them was always the human being who took advantage of its
meat and eggs, and not always with a plan that ensures its
survival over time. It must also be considered that this turtle
has been a source of protein for native communities for
centuries, and therefore the strategy to save this species did
not have to be based only on prohibitions, but rather a more
comprehensive plan that involves awareness of direct
consumers and work with the authorities.
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According to San Diego Zoo Global, in the Manu National

Park, the first studies on taricayas were carried out during the
1990s. the 'harvest' of eggs by humans and the early flooding
of the beaches, as the main causes of mortality” of this
species. "Despite being a protected natural area, the 'harvest'
of taricaya eggs was important, generally representing more
than 50% of the total nest production," the institution adds in
an article.
other threats
It doesn't exactly have the spots or the appearance of a feline,
but it does have voracity. It is the tiger beetle (Cicindelinae), a
beetle that is among the fastest animals in the world. They
also have two strong jaws with which they capture and
destroy their victims, including other insects, but also newborn
taricayas. To the latter, with an attack that does seem feline,
he cuts off their heads.

Another enemy of this turtle is the mole cricket (Gryllotalpa

gryllotalpa), an insect that attacks the taricaya egg after
digging tunnels in the sand. This early attack means that the
turtle never develops because the attack of this insect causes
the egg to rot.