The world’s fourth most endangered turtle has received a happy boost from breeding efforts, reports the AFP. Bangladeshi scientists have successfully hatched 25 northern river terrapins (Batagur baska) using an artificial beach constructed in the country’s Bhawal National Park.
Scientists captured 19 wild turtles (five females and fourteen males) as an insurance population against extinction, built a beach on two ponds, and saw their efforts rewarded with over two dozen babies so far. All five of the females captured produced nests.
Dubbed the fourth most endangered turtle by a list of the top 25 endangered turtles by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Turtle Conservation Coalition, the northern river terrapin is currently found in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List as its populations have been decimated by black market demand for food. The wildlife trade has caused the species to go extinct in Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
The program in Bangladesh has been supported by Turtle Survival Alliance, local group CARINAM, the Vienna Zoo, and the government’s Forest Department.
The closely related southern river terrapin (Batagur affinis) has not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List, but is listed as number 18 in the top 25 most endangered turtles. Seventeen of the top 25 turtle species (68 percent) occurs in Asia, where populations are being driven to extinction for food and medicinal consumption, in addition to habitat loss and pollution.
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