O. G. Dely szerk.: Vertebrata Hungarica 21. (Budapest, 1982)
Brushko, Z. K. ; Kubykin, R. A.: Horsfield's tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldi Gray, 1844) and the ways of its rational utilization in Kazakhstan 55-62. o.
VERTEBRATA HUNGARICA TOM. XXL 1982 p 55^ Hors field's tortoise (Agrionemys horsfieldi Gray, 1844) and the ways of its rational utilization in Kazakhstan* By Z. K. BRUSHKO & R. A. KUBYKIN Abstract: Horsfield's tortoise ( Agrionemys horsfield i Gray, 1884) is active only for 2.5-3 months a year, it grows very slowly and breeds from the age of 11-14 years old, having low reproductive capacity. Horsfield's tortoise has an uneven distribution in Kazakhstan. The principal factors influencing the population are arable farming and the exploitation of the animals. Controlled exploitation of tortoises leads to the disruption of sex and age structures of the population. The present early date set for harvesting has an adverse effect ftn reproduction. Guidelines for rational exploitation of tortoises in Kazakhstan are suggested. Horsfield's tortoise ( Agrionemys horsfield i Gray, 1884) occurs widely in Kazakhstan. The Northern boundary of its distribution is defined by records of this species from the Emba delta, throughout the lowlands of the Turgai river, Northern Pribalkhash'e and the Alacul hollow. In the south It has been usually observed in all deserts of the republic and it inhabits the plateaux of South-Western Tjan-Shan. Commercial exploitation of tortoises has long been carried out in Kazakhstan. The animals have been used for household purposes by zoological parks and scientific experiments. In the fifties they were utilized as food for fur animals. Tortoises are exported abroad as a delicacy. Tortoise meat is very delicious, a bouillon Is highly appreciated, the liver and eggs are especially nutritious. During times of war tortoises were used as additional food products In this country. In 1937, 27 thousand animals were exported abroad, in 1967 in Kazakhstan alone 43 000 tortoises were captured to meet the orders of foreign firms. Commercial exploitation has been growing ever since and in 1973 the number collected reached 110 000, and In 1975 126 000 specimens, of which only In Leningrad 50 000 were sold. Recently, about 150 000 tortoises have been collected every year. Intensive exploitation over many years is likely have influence upon the stock and it has become necessary to define the present status of tortoise populations and their distribution. Until recently little information has been available and the last published data are from 25 years ago (PARASKTV 1956). * Paper presented by Z.K. BRUSHKO at the First Herpetological Conference of the Socialist Countries on the 29th August, 1981 in Budapest.
