Conservation of freshwater turtles in Amazonia:retrospective and future prospects

This paper aims to discuss the current status of conservation of freshwater turtles of the Amazon and the absence of the genus Podocnemis the Official List of Species of Brazilian Fauna Threatened with Extinction.Amazonian turtles are used as food by indigenous people and fisherman communities.However,fishing of adult females,uncontrolled egg collecting,habitat degradation and trafficking in wildlife have caused the decline of these populations.Nevertheless,Podocnemis expansa and Podocnemis unifilis were not included in the Brazil’s official list of animals threatened.Therefore,the turtles remain at great risk,due to the intense pressure that they are suffering.It is recommended that the criteria and the conservation status are reviewed including those animals in the category of vulnerable and to ensure a thorough review and modification in the current Brazilian law to be covered studies and management of turtles for subsistence,respecting and adding value to way of life of Amazonian peoples.