Rare tortoise handed over to zoo
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kakching, April 13 2022:
Kakching range staffers on Wednesday handed over a fully matured rare soft shell tortoise weighing 8 kg to Manipur Zoological Garden after treating the animal as it was hurt by a back hoe loader.
The said tortoise was found while digging a pond using a back hoe loader by one Naorem Kunjo of Kakching Sumak Leikai.
As the tortoise was injured, it was treated at Kakching Veterinary Hospital before it was handed over to the zoo.
Speaking to media persons, Chandel Forest Division assistant conservator of forest Naorem Munal Meitei informed that the soft shell tortoise is extensively hunted because of its high meat content.
The animal is seen rarely because of the extensive killing, he pointed out, while adding that the tortoise is taking a huge responsibility in maintaining ecological balance.
Munal urged the people to save and hand over such tortoise to forest department if they find one.