The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : 21 turtles born at Crocodile Bank

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 26, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

21 turtles born at Crocodile Bank

Vani Doraisamy

NEW-BORNS: A few of the kachuga kachuga turtles that hatched at the Madras Crocodile Bank. — Photo: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

CHENNAI: The birth of 21 kachuga kachugas (Indian painted roof turtles) this breeding season has volunteers at the Madras Crocodile Bank rejoicing.

Listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and accorded top conservation priority under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the number of these beautiful freshwater turtles has been dwindling due to habitat loss and hunting by poachers.

No study has been carried out on the kachuga's broken habitats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, West Bengal and the Northeast.

The kachuga is the most endangered among the 28 species and sub-species of freshwater turtles in India.

The first batch of kachugas arrived at the Crocodile Bank four years ago from the forests of Uttar Pradesh.

After intensive breeding, the Bank succeeded and bred the first hatchlings last year.

This year's lot, the result of a more sustained breeding programme, are sturdier than last year's, said Seema Mundoli, projects co-ordinator, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.

The turtle conservation programme is part of a 10-year project, which would also map the habitat of freshwater turtles.

An adult kachuga has a lifespan of up to 70 years.

While males reach a length of 22 cm, females touch 60 cm.

With the new births, the kachuga population at the Crocodile Bank now numbers 40.

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