Red-crowned Roofed Turtle

A Red Crowned Roofed Turtle, a critically endangered species, in Madras Crocodile Bank Trust was adopted by a family in another continent.

Distribution

The Red Crowned Roofed Turtle is endemic to India. It is also found in Nepal and Bangladesh. Its historical range included the Ganga River basin and the Brahmaputra River basin. The only site with a substantial population of the turtle in India at present is the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary.

Conservation

The Red Crowned Roofed Turtle is a critically endangered species of freshwater turtle. It is listed under Appendix II of CITES. In India, the species is protected under schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The species is being bred by the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.

Threats to the Species

The Red Crowned Roofed Turtle threatened by habitat loss, illegal hunting for its meat and shells, pollution, development projects like hydro-electric power projects, drowning in fishing nets, etc. Sand mining also poses a threat as the turtle requires terrestrial nesting sites.