This project will work to address some of the pressing conservation needs surrounding threatened tortoise and freshwater turtle (TFT) species in bangladesh

TFT species face numerous threats, with illegal wildlife trade (IWT) a significant contributor to their decline. Bangladesh is a hotspot for threatened native tfts, with 76% of native species globally threatened (19 out of 25 species) and is a hotspot for TFT-related IWT, serving as a source, transit, and consumer point for many TFT species. Despite legal protections afforded to tfts, domestic demand persists, driven by cultural and religious practices, as well as for luxury consumption. This demand is particularly pronounced among non-muslim and ethnic minorities, who often consume tfts during festivals and where they are considered luxury items. The project aims to improve the conservation of at least four threatened TFT species in at least five districts of bangladesh through evidence-based behavior change initiatives. The project will build on behavior change initiatives developed by the wildlife conservation society (WCS) with funding from the UK government. IT will do this by learning from and adapting behavior change strategies that are being implemented in three districts and that were developed based on surveys conducted across eight districts by WCS in 2023 which found that there was widespread TFT consumption among minority communities. The project also acknowledges the critical role of fishing communities in TFT conservation. Fishing practices, whether intentional or incidental, contribute significantly to TFT population depletion, therefore the project aims to identify some key sites for tfts and reduce TFT capture there. Through partnerships with government agencies and community involvement, the project endeavors to achieve tangible and sustainable conservation outcomes, contributing to the long-term survival of threatened TFT species in bangladesh.