Wisdom From The Experts Pt 4 & 5 Two Turtle and Tort experts, two related pieces of wisdom to share about turtle and tortoise anatomy! Lori Neuman-Lee, PhD (@CheloniaGirl ), prof at Utah State University, says – “I wish people knew that turtles can’t come out of their shells…because their shells are part of their...
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Words of Wisdom from the Experts Pt 3- “I wish people knew how smart turtles are. They learn quickly where their food comes from; if from a human then they learn that specific person” Is what Michelle Kelly (@MichelleKellyCW), public speaker about Reptiles and amphibians, wishes more people knew about turtles and tortoises. Those of...
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Words of wisdom from the experts pt 2 Check out this INCREDIBLE photo by Amanda Hipps, @biophilamanda, one of the experts who responded to our #worldturtleday question. Amanda studies the animals that live in gopher tortoise burrows. In case you didn’t know, gopher tortoise burrows are home to hundreds of other animals. Their status as endangered directly...
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This year, in honor of #WorldTurtleDay, we asked herpetologists, biologists, rescues, and rehabbers, to tell us what they wish more people knew about Turtles and Tortoises. Starting today we’ll be sharing a few responses a day! Let’s learn more about the animals we love from people who have devoted their lives to protecting them. Biologist...
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Indian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtles Hatch in Lucknow!
We are excited to announce the hatching of 220 Indian Narrow-headed Softshell Turtles (Chitra indica) at the Kukrail Gharial and Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (KGTRC).
Resuming the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department’s Endangered Species
Project’s conservation program for this species, and with the assistance
of our TSA India Program,
eggs were translocated to the KGTRC from two vulnerable nests along the
Yamuna and Ghaghra rivers, respectively. Here, they could incubate
safely and naturally in a sand hatchery.
A habitat specialist,
the first winter is crucial for the survival of newly emerged hatchlings
of this endangered species. To give them a better chance of survival,
the hatchlings are being head started under the care of the Endangered
Species Project at the KGTRC. Here, they will grow in habitats featuring
solar-powered warm, running water, and fed live fish fingerlings. After
being head started to a size of 1000 grams, most of the juveniles will
be released into the Ganga River where the Government of India is
carrying out a rejuvenation initiative. With high hopes, the release of
these turtles will help the wild population rebound there.
The
Indian Narrow-headed Softshell is a large riverine species growing as
large as 75 inches (192 cm) in shell length, and up to 551 pounds (250
kg). Harvesting for meat, pollution, and destruction of sand bar habitat
has significantly reduced the numbers of this species.
The
conservation program for the Indian Narrow-headed Softshell is supported
by Namami Gange, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ganga River
Rejuvenation, and with technical support provided by our TSA-India
staff.
