Milestone rewilding brings 2 critically endangered tortoise species back to Bangladesh
On 18 and 24 December, a total of 16 tortoises—six Elongated Tortoises and ten Asian Giant Tortoises—were released into soft-release enclosures in Lawachara National Park and the Matamuhuri Reserve Forest, respectively
In a historic achievement for wildlife conservation in Bangladesh, the Turtle Survival Alliance, Creative Conservation Alliance, and Bangladesh Forest Department have successfully reintroduced two critically endangered tortoise species to their native habitats in the country.
This initiative is supported by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, and the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund, reads a press release today (27 December).
On 18 December 18, six captive-bred Elongated Tortoises (Indotestudo elongata) were released into Lawachara National Park, a 3,089-acre (1,250-hectare) mixed-evergreen forest in northeastern Bangladesh.
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Days later, on 24 December, ten Asian Giant Tortoises (Manouria emys phayrei) were released into a 494-acre (200-hectare) community-managed forest within the Matamuhuri Reserve Forest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of southeastern Bangladesh.
"The most significant aspect of this conservation initiative is that it transcends tortoise conservation," said Shahriar Caesar Rahman, CEO of the Creative Conservation Alliance.
"By committing to protect tortoises and their habitat, and by using the tortoise as a flagship species, this program indirectly reduces hunting pressure on several other globally threatened species. It stands as a testament to the power of community engagement and collaboration," he added.
This initiative builds on the success of a 2021 pilot project, which reintroduced Asian Giant Tortoises to the Matamuhuri Reserve Forest. The project achieved zero poaching incidents and a 70% survival rate. This second release marks another milestone in efforts to recover the region's population of Asia's largest tortoise, considered functionally extinct in Bangladesh.
Moreover, the release of captive-bred Elongated Tortoises is a historic first for Bangladesh, making it only the second country after Cambodia to implement such a program for this species.
The Bangladesh tortoise rewilding programme is the culmination of a decade-long, multi-faceted conservation initiative. Key partners include the Bandarban Hill District Council, the Mro communities of Menni Para Village in Matamuhuri Reserve Forest, and the tea plantation communities of Phulbari Tea Estate.
These communities play a crucial role in habitat protection and tortoise monitoring. Support from local leaders, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chief Conservator of Forests, Conservator of Forests, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle, and Divisional Forest officials from the Lama and Moulvibazar Forest divisions of the Bangladesh Forest Department, was instrumental.
"Conservation at the local community level is the only viable path forward to protect turtles and tortoises on a global scale," said Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, president and CEO of Turtle Survival Alliance.
"This program exemplifies the power of partnerships—from international organizations to local tea estate workers—to create lasting impact. Together, we're turning the tide for species that were once on the brink of extinction in the wild in Bangladesh and beyond."
The Asian Giant and Elongated Tortoises, bred and reared at the Turtle Conservation Centre in Bhawal National Park, were each fitted with radio transmitters before being released into expansive soft release enclosures at their respective sites, where biologists will monitor their dispersal, health, and survival.
These temporary enclosures, built within the forest where the tortoises are being introduced, allow them to adapt to their new habitat. The tortoises will remain in these enclosures for six months before full release in 2025. December was chosen for the release due to cooler temperatures, which are expected to aid their acclimatisation.
"The soft release method has proven to be one of the most effective strategies for reestablishing turtles and tortoises into the wild," explained Andrew Walde, senior director of Conservation & Science at Turtle Survival Alliance. "By allowing the animals to acclimate gradually within natural enclosures, we foster site fidelity and increase their chances of long-term survival, helping to ensure the success of these rewilding efforts."
Bangladesh is home to 30 species of turtles and tortoises, 26 of which are considered Threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered) by the IUCN Red List. In an effort to address the critical status of the country's turtle and tortoise populations, the Creative Conservation Alliance, Turtle Survival Alliance, and Bangladesh Forest Department established the Turtle Conservation Centre in 2017.
This collaborative breeding facility aims to increase the numbers of threatened native species through conservation breeding, with the goal of reintroducing them to the wild.
Populations of Asian Giant Tortoises are considered functionally extinct in Bangladesh, with remnants confined to a single locality near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Meanwhile, Elongated Tortoise populations, though more widespread, have been severely impacted by subsistence hunting and habitat loss. Reintroducing these species not only restores ecological functionality but also engages local communities in conservation efforts, fostering long-term stewardship of these degraded landscapes.
This tortoise rewilding effort highlights the importance of community-led conservation in addressing biodiversity loss. By employing local hunters as para-biologists and adopting conservation agreements, the programme mitigates hunting pressure and ensures the protection of critical habitats. These initiatives also provide economic incentives to local communities, strengthening their role as guardians of biodiversity.
This groundbreaking rewilding programme represents hope for the recovery of two of Asia's most threatened tortoise species and underscores the potential for collaborative conservation to restore ecosystems in human-modified landscapes, the release added.
