Guwahati: A total of 63 species of extinction-ended turtle have found a new home in Assam.
After being saved in Pune, Maharashtra, they were flown to Assam on Friday, to be released into their natural habitat, said a state forest official.
He further said that various species of rare turtles, such as Indian roof turtles, crowned river turtles, brown turtles and sprapin of a speckled river, were saved during various seizures in Maharashtra, officials said.
Turtles are confiscated by the Pune Forest Division between 2019 and 2020.
Joint initiatives by the State Forest Department and the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) assist in the turtle translocation.
This is the third time the turtle has the opportunity to fly back to their home because of the generous cooperation of two state forest departments, conservation and individual organizations, officials are maintained.
Turtles are now placed in an Assam Zoo and are in standard observations and quarantine for finally rehabilitation in the wild.
“After seizures, turtles were placed in the temporary facility of the Indian herpetologist and resq charity confidence in Pune.
Although turtles are saved from illegal hunters and sellers, the biggest threat to their current survival is climate fluctuations and weather conditions that are not suitable, “Shailendra Singh said, the Indian Director Program, TSA.
Flying turtles back to their original river system at Assam remains the only decent choice, Singh said.
Each turtle is thoroughly checked before being packed in a soft plastic carton for their 18 hour trip, through Delhi.
Pawan Pareak, a researcher with TSA India, Lucknow Head Office, rushed to Delhi airport to check the consignment during his stop over night at IGI Airport.
Pawan ensures that the turtle is healthy, not emphasized with transit and most importantly, the level of hydration is maintained.
Of the 63 turtles, 55 with the Indian Herpetology community, Katraj in Pune, and eight have been with resq charity trust.
63 turtles saved flown to Assam from Maharashtra
