Biosphere Journal Entry
Biosphere Journal Entry
Rare Turtle Found in Myanmar (May 31, 2010)
The rare Arakan forest turtle has been rediscovered in Myanmar. Wikimedia Commons.
The Arakan forest turtle was once thought to be extinct in the wild. The Wildlife Conservation Society reports five of the rare brown-and-tan spotted reptiles were found in Rakhine Yoma Sanctuary in a remote part of Myanmar. Although the exact size of the turtle population is unknown, the turtle is critically endangered. Like many other species in Asia, its existence is threatened by illegal poaching and habitat loss. The Wildlife Conservation Society is making a big push to keep poachers out of the wildlife sanctuary to help the turtle population recover.
The Arakan forest turtle is found only in the hills of western Myanmar. The turtle, which mates once a year, has been difficult to breed in captivity. Only Zoo Atlanta in the United States has reported success, with a handful of hatchlings born there in recent years.
