TOKYO, Feb 03 (News On Japan) –
The Japan Nature Conservation Association revealed the outcomes of its nationwide turtle survey on Thursday, February 1, with greater than half the collected samples being the ‘Red-Eared Slider,’ as this invasive species continues to develop its habitat, whereas there are considerations over the declining inhabitants of the native Japanese Pond Turtle.
Before the onset of winter final November, reporters accompanied consultants to a river in Aichi Prefecture for an investigative report.
Yabe, a turtle researcher for 40 years, identified, “There’s a turtle over there.”
What was discovered within the river was the Mississippi Red-Eared Slider, an invasive species also referred to as the “Green Turtle.”
Yabe, reflecting on the scenario, expressed concern: “The Red-Eared Slider is becoming more prevalent. Thinking about Japan’s turtles, it’s quite despairing.”
The growth of the Red-Eared Slider’s habitat was confirmed by a survey performed for the primary time in ten years.
The Japan Nature Conservation Association introduced the outcomes of the “Nationwide Turtle Survey” (performed from July 1 to September 30, 2023, with a pattern dimension of two,147 turtles), which collected turtle sighting info throughout the nation…
Ohno from the Japan Nature Conservation Association reported, “55.3% of all turtles were Red-Eared Sliders.”
The survey discovered that over half of the turtles noticed had been Red-Eared Sliders.
Ohno added, “We’ve received reports from Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and even Naha in Okinawa, showing it has truly spread nationwide.”
This unfold is perhaps contributing to the decline of native species just like the Japanese Pond Turtle.
The proportion of sightings of the Japanese Pond Turtle, a local species, has decreased with every survey, indicating a possible decline of their inhabitants.
In the river in Aichi Prefecture, virtually all the many turtles noticed had been Mississippi Red-Eared Sliders, with just one turtle believed to be a Japanese Pond Turtle.
Yabe, with 40 years of turtle analysis expertise, concluded, “It’s virtually impossible to eradicate invasive species. The key is to reduce the Red-Eared Slider’s population to a level where it minimally impacts the ecosystem.”
Source: 日テレNEWS