Critically endangered hill yellow turtles rescued from Khagrachhari market

Forest officials have rescued a critically endangered elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) that was brought for sale at a hill market in Khagrachhari. 

The tortoise was brought to Boalkhali Bazar in Dighinala upazila this afternoon (8 July) for sale.

Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) Director Mohammad Mizanur Rahman confirmed the matter to The Business Standard and said local wildlife conservation volunteers spotted the animal at the Jafar Store area of the market and informed the Forest Department.

Acting on the information, Mohammad Jafar Ullah, deputy range officer of the Merung Range, recovered the tortoise from an abandoned fish drum at the scene.

"The tortoise belongs to a critically endangered species. It has been taken into the custody of the Forest Department. After the necessary quarantine and health examination, it will be released into a suitable natural habitat," Jafar Ullah told TBS.

Photo: TBS

During preliminary questioning, the seller claimed he was unaware that the animal belonged to a critically endangered species and said he had caught it without knowing its conservation status before bringing it to the market for sale.

The elongated tortoise is found in the hill forests of Bangladesh as well as other parts of South and Southeast Asia. Its population has declined sharply due to deforestation, habitat loss, illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the elongated tortoise as Critically Endangered on its Red List, citing habitat destruction and the illegal wildlife trade as the main threats to the species.

They also said incidents of critically endangered wildlife being brought to local markets in the Chattogram Hill Tracts for sale continue to occur. 

They stressed the need for stronger monitoring, stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws and greater public awareness to curb the illegal trade.