Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Margaretha Hofmeyr Tobias Keswick
Contributors: William Branch Ernst Baard
Facilitators: Graham Alexander Krystal A Tolley
Reviewers: Anders Rhodin B.T. Henen Peter Paul van Dijk Graham Alexander Adriaan Jordaan Jody Taft

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Chersina angulata is assessed at this time as Least Concern since it is widespread and common where it occurs. There is no significant trade or utilisation. The species was previously assessed in 2013 (and published in 2017) as Least Concern.

Distribution

Chersina angulata occurs in southern Africa, and is found mainly within South Africa (about 95% of the range), but its distribution extends marginally into southwestern Namibia. In South Africa it occurs from Komga in the Eastern Cape, westwards through most of the Western Cape, and into the western region of the Northern Cape. Its range extends across the Orange River into Namibia, where the species is found in the Sperrgebiet and surroundings, as far north as Lüderitz and Aus; introduced populations have become established further north at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay (Griffin 2003). It also occurs on several offshore islands, reaching high densities on Dassen Island off the southwestern coast of South Africa.

Population trend

Trend

Chersina angulata is common in suitable habitat in South Africa, where it can reach densities of 30-35 individuals/ha (Branch 1984, Van Heezik et al. 1994). Density on islands free of natural predators (e.g., Dassen Island) can be as high as 100 individuals/ha (M.D. Hofmeyr unpubl. data). Its presence in Namibia is marginal and no information is available on population numbers.

Threats

The most prevalent threat to Chersina angulata is fire, particularly in open sandy areas where there are few retreats (rock outcrops, hollow logs, animal burrows) in which to shelter (Branch 2008). In a single wildfire in 2000, a density of 15.4 dead tortoises per hectare was found; when this is extrapolated to the total area burnt (approximately 18,400 ha), it is conservatively estimated that from 99,000 to 282,000 Angulate Tortoises were killed in this single wildfire (Baard et al. 2001). Predation by seagulls is not significant, except on Dassen Island, but Pied Crow predation represents a considerable threat, particularly as Pied Crow numbers in the southwestern South Africa are increasing with climate change (Cunningham et al. 2016). Fincham and Lambrechts (2014) reported that 160 and 315 tortoise carapaces, respectively, were found under a single Pied Crow nest in two successive years. Illegal poaching and smuggling occurs (Henen et al. 2013), but the numbers may be low. The species remains the commonest tortoise in the Cape region despite these impacts.

Uses and trade

Chersina angulata has been an important source of food since antiquity (Avery et al. 2004). Although the exploitation of tortoises for food is no longer prevalent, the practice continues in some parts of the country.  Historically, the shell has been used decoratively in tobacco boxes (B.T. Henen pers. obs.). The documented export of live animals from South Africa and Namibia, respectively, comprised 1,567 and 16 between 2000 and 2016, and poaching also occurs (Henen et al. 2013). The species is bred in captivity but it is not clear to what extent this contributes to trade.

Conservation

Chersina angulata is included in CITES Appendix II and is protected in South Africa by provincial nature conservation ordinances and biodiversity laws at regional level. Similarly, the species is classified as protected in Namibia, where it is listed as Peripheral (Griffin 2003). In South Africa, C. angulata occurs in eight National Parks and 10 major Nature Reserves spread throughout the range of the species. In Namibia, it occurs in the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Namib-Naukluft NP and the Sperrgebiet NP (Griffen 2003). No further conservation measures specific to C. angulata appear warranted at present, although general efforts to address increasing threats from Pied Crow predation should be considered. Any translocation between genetically distinct populations in the western and southern parts of the range is strongly discouraged.

References 

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