The Burmese softshell peacock turtle is one of those but has just taken a small but significant step back from the brink of extinction. Conservation hopes are raised after the hatching of turtles of the species in critical danger of disappearing.
Peacock softshell turtles
The Burmese softshell peacock turtles whose scientific name is Nilssonia formosa, are famous for their ability to retract their head into their own neck. Although perhaps their most notable characteristic is that they have intricate patterns of colors and figures on their shells, which represent the so-called eyespots. The latter are figures that appear in different species such as butterflies, tigers and owls, and that
They are turtles that live in freshwater rivers and lakes and used to range from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and even Burma, however, due to overexploitation to supply the food markets of East Asia, Currently they can only be found in Burma although in alarmingly small populations.
It is considered as a species in critical danger of extinction due to overexploitation but also as a consequence of the degradation of its natural habitat and bycatch. The numbers of specimens remaining in the wild are not known with certainty, but records suggest that populations have decreased by at least 80% in the last 90 years. This is why conservation efforts work hard to ensure the prosperity of the species.
The first record of birth in the wild
With that in mind, , a non-profit organization, has been working closely with communities living in and around Indawgyi, one of the largest inland lakes in Southeast Asia, to protect peacock turtles from soft shell that still inhabit the place. Indawgyi, is a globally significant wetland wildlife refuge that was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2017, a process that Fauna & Flora helped launch.
With the help of the local population, Fauna & Flora was able to locate five nesting sites of the species. The clutches of eggs were fenced and protected through periodic patrols carried out by a team of turtle guardians from the community. And they finally saw the fruits of the great conservation efforts, when The team discovered 15 baby turtles in one of the nests.
This is the first official video record of Burmese softshell peacock turtle hatchlings in the wild. It is believed that many other turtles have already hatched and made their way to the relative safety of the lake. Fauna & Flora collected the remaining hatchlings to gather vital data about the species, including weight and size. The captive turtles have since been released into the wild in Indawgyi during a small ceremony held in the presence of the community.
This is news that needs to be celebrated, a ray of hope finally illuminates the species in critical danger of disappearing.