Captive management and reproduction of the Madagascar flat-tailed tortoisePyxis planicauda at the Chelonian Captive Breeding Centre, Ampijoroa, Madagascar

The Madagascar flat-tailed tortoise Pyxis planicauda or kapidolo is found o nly in a diminishing area of dry deciduous forest in west Madagascar. The h abitat is under continuing threat from burning for cultivation and recently the tortoise has come under threat from collection for the exotic tortoise pet trade. In 1989 Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (formerly the Jerse y Wildlife Preservation Trust) started a captive breeding project for this threatened species at the Chelonian Captive Breeding Centre at Ampijoroa Fo rest Station in Mahajanga Province, Madagascar. This paper describes the ma intenance of these tortoises in captivity and the results of this project f rom 1995 to 1999. Following the death of several juveniles, seven adults (3 .4) and seven juveniles remained at Ampijoroa prior to the 2000 breeding se ason.