Keeled box turtle handed over to zoo
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte
Churachandpur, March 15 2022:
Churachandpur Forest Division once again contributed to the list of important species of animals housed in Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba by donating a keeled box turtle (cuora mouhotii) .
The turtle was handed over to Save Wildlife Foundation (SWF), Churachandpur by some individuals who claimed to have brought it down from Tipaimukh in Pherzawl district.
SWF later handed it over to Divisional Forest Officer, Churachandpur.
Keeled box turtle is a species of turtle in the family geoemydidae.
It is native to Asia, found in China, India, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, and Bhutan.
These turtles are named for the three keels running down from the top of their carapace (top of shell).
Box turtles are so-called because unlike most turtles, they can completely close up their shell, much like a box.
They have probably evolved this capability in order to save themselves from predators such as raccoons and opossums.
This turtle is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
According to experts from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, this is a rare sighting from Manipur and probably one of the first few sightings in Churachandpur.
Churachandpur Forest Division conveyed gratitude to Safe Wildlife Foundation and other like-minded individuals and organisations for contributing towards the safeguard of the forest, environment and wildlife of the district and urged all sections of the society to join hands with the department in the protection and preservation of forest and wildlife today and for the generations to come.