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FUTURE PROJECTS
NPTS projects are constantly in development. A number of research and conservation projects are planned and will be implemented when funding has been secured.
Seychelles tortoise reintoductions
The first reintroduction of Seychelles giant tortoises took
place in 2006 with the release of 5 adults. In December 2009 we plan to release
the first 20 captive-bred juveniles. Support is needed to cover the costs of
tracking the released animals. It is estimated that this will cost $260 per
tortoise. Please contact us if you are
interested in supporting the re-establishment of our tortoises in the wild.
Seychelles terrapin conservation
The Seychelles terrapins are all Critically Endangered. We have developed an Action Plan that aims to secure their future within 5 years. This plan covers protection of important sites, translocation of populations that have no prospect of breeding to more suitable sites and research. Several aspects of this plan need support.
Seychelles kestrel (Falco araea)
The Vulnerable Seychelles kestrel is found on several of the Seychelles islands but significant populations are restricted to Mahe and Silhouette. There is a need to investigate the ecology of this species on Silhouette. All potential territories appear to be saturated on the island but reproduction is highly successful and this raises questions as to the fate of the chicks produced on the island - do they die as juveniles, displace adults or disperse to other islands? There are also genetic and parasitological issues to be investigated.
The Seychelles fruit bat (Pteropus seychellensis) is not categorized as threatened. The status of the species on Silhouette is of interest as this is the only population of the species to be active throughout the day and night. This behaviour makes population assessments difficult and current figures are unreliable. This species is of great importance to the health of forest ecosystems as it is one of the main fruit dispersal agents.
Seychelles chameleon (Calumma tigris)
The Seychelles chameleon is a little known species found on Mahe, Silhouette and Praslin. Recently NPTS members have made interesting discoveries of some aspects of reproduction in this species; there is a need to extend this research.
The
NPTS currently carries out research on the endemic frog family Sooglossidae.
Conservation action for these species is an urgent priority and we have
developed a conservation plan for them which needs support..
Research into the status of the Endangered endemic Seychelles tree-frog (Tachycnemis seychellensis) on Silhouette is required. Until recently records of the species were restricted to one high-altitude marsh site where it had not been recorded for some 20 years. It is now known to live in the main settlement at sea level where it may face competition from an introduced frog. Research into the ecological requirements and true distribution of the species are needed.
We are also initiating research into the status and ecology on the highly secretive caecilian species. At present there are no satisfactory methods for studying these strange creatures. The other species of Seychelles amphibian and reptiles have been being monitored by NPTS since 1997. NPTS data has been used in the Global Amphibian Assessment and the Global Reptile Assessment.
Silhouette supports populations of most of the Seychelles Odonata. We plan to investigate the ecology of these species, aiming to identify key sites for their conservation. Of particular importance will be the study of the Seychelles fineliner damselfly Teniobasis alluaudi. This species was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1997 (published in Phelsuma). It is now known to be found in several sites on Silhouette but its requirements remain unknown.