While the increased population of reproductive females bodes well for larger-scale captive breeding at the HCRC, the high density of males may present some challenges. Interestingly, the males are displaying the telltale signs of sexual maturity at different sizes, a phenomenon that Bishop will likely continue to study as this new information about the Hicatee comes to light. student Nichole Bishop to be immature males, based on size regression analysis–are now demonstrating that they are, indeed, males. At the onset of sexual maturity, male Hicatee develop yellow heads and enlarged tails, and a number of animals that once been believed female-but later predicted by Ph.D. The number of reproductive females has swelled to 20 animals, along with16 confirmed males, and six subadults of currently indeterminate sex. The population currently stands at 54 Hicatee at the HCRC. For now, it is a great conservation victory to expect exponentially larger numbers of hatchlings for the coming year. This is a huge growth and very encouraging, as the HCRC hopes to both establish a viable captive breeding colony of Hicatee in Belize and test the eventual feasibility of establishing commercial Hicatee farms in order to take the pressure off of the wild population. Boylan revealed 20 females carrying eggs or follicles, and 60-120 eggs are expected to be laid in December. This year, an ultrasound performed by Dr. Seven hatchlings had already been produced in 2015, and another five hatched in 2016. What a difference a year makes! Last year, the TSA and the Hicatee Conservation and Research Center (HCRC) staff were pleased to announce that a mature female had once again nested at the Center, amid the revelation that most of the animals that had been presumed to be females were actually immature males. In addition, Richard and Carol Foster were present as they continue shooting footage for their documentary film about the Hicatee. Ben Atkinson of Flagler College, and Jacob Marlin and Tom Pop of BFREE. Isabel Paquet from the Cayo District, Robert Mendyk of the Jacksonville Zoo, Dr.
Thomas Rainwater were joined at the Center by Felicia Cruz and Gilberto Young of the Belize Fisheries Department, veterinarian Dr. Shane Boylan, DVM of the South Carolina Aquarium, and Dr. On 17-19 September, members of the TSA joined BFREE staff in Belize in performing annual health checks of all the Hicatee ( Dermatemys mawii) at the HCRC. The Center is located on the grounds of BFREE in southern Belize.
The Hicatee Conservation and Research Center (HCRC) is a joint project of the TSA and the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE).
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