10 Asian Giant Tortoises release into Intanki National Park in Nagaland
First Published: 20th December, 2022 19:40 IST
The species is on the verge of functional extinction due to overexploitation and ignorance
Ten captive-bred juvenile tortoises were gently released into Intanki National Park, inside a protected area in Nagaland, on Monday in an attempt to boost conservation and save the critically endangered Asian Giant Tortoise back from the brink.
The Nagaland Forest Department (NFD), Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and Wildlife Conservation Society India (WCSI) on Monday announced the re-wilding of 10 captive-bred juveniles of Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei) Intanki National Park.
This first monitored re-wilding of the critically endangered tortoise in India comes after more than five years of conservation breeding efforts at Nagaland Zoological Park, Dimapur, said Dr. Shailendra Singh, principal investigator, Asian Giant Tortoise Recovery Project in a statement.
According to experts, the species is on the verge of functional extinction due to overexploitation and ignorance that resulted in unsustainable use for local people’ consumption. The 10 juveniles, who were re-wilded were born in 2018 and have an average weight of 2.4 kg. According to Sushmita Kar, a researcher with the Asian Giant Tortoise Recovery Project, “the cohort had a thorough health examination by a panel of wildlife veterinarians, prior to their release.”
The largest tortoises on Asia are known as Asian Giant Tortoises, and they can be found, among other locations, in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The tortoises have been fitted with VHF transmitters by specialists working on the species recovery process, and they will watch the animals’ movements in the wild after release.
Together with the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and the Nagaland Zoological Park (NZP), the Joint Asian Giant Tortoise Recovery Project was launched in 2017.
The pilot release of Asian Giant Tortoises, according to Vedpal Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden of Nagaland, is a significant step toward the repopulation of the species.
Also Read: Maintenance work of 2-lane Kohima Bypass Road to be done before Mar 2023: NHIDCL to Court
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Financial Influencer Accused Of Spreading False Information About Assam’s History And Traditions, CM Directs Police To Take Action
11th January 2025
Live AAP MLA Gurpreet Gogi shot dead in Ludhiana
11th January 2025
Live 2nd Tripartite Talks on Frontier Nagaland Territory on Jan 15. Will This Be the Decisive Round?
10th January 2025
Live Tripura: Youth Tipra Federation Renews Greater Tipraland Demand
10th January 2025
WE RECOMMEND
FNT: 2nd Tripartite Talk on January 15 in Dimapur, AK Mishra to Attend
Ahead of this meeting, the ENPO has organised a consultative meeting with the 20-member Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU) on January 12
10th January 2025
Nagaland Cabinet Decides To Oppose Home Ministry’s Decision To Reimpose Protected Area Permit in Nagaland
According to a senior cabinet member, the decision was taken citing the peaceful law and order situation in the state and the absence of any influx of illegal immigrants.
06th January 2025
ANSAM Elects New Office Bearers, Angteshang Charanga Appointed President
The general election of the All Naga Students Association (ANSAM) was held on Saturday (December 28) at ANSAM Secretariat Complex, Tahamzam in Senapati.
29th December 2024
Centre Asks Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram to Monitor Foreigners’ Activities Closely
The Union Home Ministry urged state governments to ensure full compliance and to sensitize all relevant authorities.
25th December 2024
Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna Along Emphasises Need for Naga Political Settlement
The minister highlighted 2024 as a year of significant progress and achievements under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
23rd December 2024