GUWAHATI, May 31 - In a big boost to turtle conservation initiatives undertaken at Ugratara temple, Help Earth with support from the Assam State Zoo and Turtle Survival Alliance has successfully hatched black soft-shell turtle through artificial incubation in the facility of the zoo.
�Two clutches of eggs containing around 70 eggs were artificially incubated, of which 30 hatchlings have so far emerged. We expect all the eggs to hatch in 10-15 days. This is a big achievement when it comes to global turtle conservation efforts, as this temple-bred turtle can help bring back the black soft-shell turtle from the brink of extinction,� said Jayaditya Purkayastha of Help Earth.
The pond is home to 10 turtle species, including one of the most endangered, the black soft-shell turtle.
�The effort and commitment of the temple management body and the people living near the pond have been commendable. In fact, temple ponds across Assam are important sites for turtle conservation but concretisation of the banks of these ponds creates problems for turtles as they cannot move on to the bank to lay eggs and many get injured because of the concrete structure. A natural pond with natural riverine silt bank is best for turtle needs,� said Purkayastha.
GUWAHATI, May 31 - In a big boost to turtle conservation initiatives undertaken at Ugratara temple, Help Earth with support from the Assam State Zoo and Turtle Survival Alliance has successfully hatched black soft-shell turtle through artificial incubation in the facility of the zoo.
�Two clutches of eggs containing around 70 eggs were artificially incubated, of which 30 hatchlings have so far emerged. We expect all the eggs to hatch in 10-15 days. This is a big achievement when it comes to global turtle conservation efforts, as this temple-bred turtle can help bring back the black soft-shell turtle from the brink of extinction,� said Jayaditya Purkayastha of Help Earth.
The pond is home to 10 turtle species, including one of the most endangered, the black soft-shell turtle.
�The effort and commitment of the temple management body and the people living near the pond have been commendable. In fact, temple ponds across Assam are important sites for turtle conservation but concretisation of the banks of these ponds creates problems for turtles as they cannot move on to the bank to lay eggs and many get injured because of the concrete structure. A natural pond with natural riverine silt bank is best for turtle needs,� said Purkayastha.
