Artificial incubation of AGT conducted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 25 2025: Making significant headway in the conservation of Asian Giant Tortoises (Manouria emysphayrei), the Manipur Zoological Garden (MZG), Imphal and India Turtle Conservation Program (ITCP) conducted the first successful artificial incubation of these tortoises this year hatching 2 8 of them from one nest.

The Asian Giant Tortoise is a critically endangered species and native to North East Indian States such as Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam and Meghalaya, according to a statement.

With this step, MZG is now set to initiate a conservation breeding programme, with the aim to release them in the wild.

This will contribute to increasing the number of this highly threatened species and return them to their native habitats.

The hatchlings are now under proper husbandry care and this development is believed to be an important landmark event in the field of tortoise and turtle conservation in the State.

In this connection, MZG also conducted a one-day capacity building workshop in collaboration with ITCP on August 21, focused on training 25 zoo-keepers and frontline forest staff on conservation and management of tortoises and freshwater turtles.

"As valued as MZG is for the flagship breeding of Sangai or Brow-antlered deer, we look forward to initiating the conservation of another magnificent yet lesser-known reptile, the Asian Giant Tortoises.

Dedicated facilities will be developed and efforts will be put to conduct successful breeding of the species every year and continue with phase-wise releases in the wild", said Laishram Biramangol Singh, Director, MZG.

Additionally, Sushmita Kar, Project Coordinator for ITCP said, "We will simultaneously conduct assessments for suitable habitats for the species and collect information on its native distribution ranges in different districts of Manipur to understand their population status and address the specific conservation requirements for Asian Giant Tortoises in Manipur".

The project team has thanked the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Manipur for their support.

Notably, the initiative was actively supported by Dr L Sarat Chandra, Veterinarian, MZG; Georgie Yumnam, Range Officer, MZG and Durga Charan Karmakar, Animal attendant, MZG .

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