Central Asian Tortoise (Agrionemys Horsfieldii GREY, 1844) in Uzbekistan: Distribution, Abundance, Conservation Measures and Sustainable Use

About the authors:

Artur S. Nuridjanov, Specialist of the Department of Monitoring of Biological Resources Status of the State Biocontrol of the State Committee for Nature Protection of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Emiliya V. Vashetko, Cand. Sci. (Biol.), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Terrestrial Vertebras, Institute of Botany and Zoology under the Academy of Science of Uzbekistan; evashetko_03@mail.ru

Denis A. Nuridjanov, Junior Researcher, Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Tashkent)

Timur V. Abduraupov, Junior Researcher, Institute of Zoology, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Tashkent); timur.abduraupov@gmail.com

Abstract:

This article provides information on distribution of the Central Asian (or Steppe) tortoise, its condition, and the main threats of reducing this species abundance in Uzbekistan. The authors provide the analysis of the steppe tortoise distribution in Central Asia over the past 15 years (2000-2015) and conclude that the human development and long term hunting of tortoises in Uzbekistan have led to the reduction of its numbers and even total extinction of the species in some areas. The steppe tortoise is the only officially exported species of tortoises in Central Asia, despite the fact that its hunting has been prohibited in Kazakhstan since 2003 and in Tajikistan since 2009. In contrast, hunting of tortoise in Uzbekistan has not stopped for more than 50 years. The authors propose to include the Central Asian tortoise in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In addition, they give recommendations on the species’ preservation and reduction of pressure on this kind.

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