32 Bostami turtles reared at Bayezid Bostami shrine, released into pond 

A rare conservation triumph has unfolded at the historic Bayezid Bostami shrine in Chattogram, where 32 hatchlings of the critically endangered Bostami turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) were successfully reared and released to the shrine's main pond. 

The release, which took place on 15 January, marks a significant step in safeguarding one of Bangladesh's most threatened species.

The achievement is the result of a joint effort by the shrine authorities and Creative Conservation Alliance (CCA), a wildlife-focused NGO, which has been working since 2019 to revive the turtle population at the site. After hatching, the baby turtles were carefully raised for six months in a protected nursery pond before being released, a step experts say greatly improves their survival in the wild.

"This is a major milestone for the species at Bayezid," said Faheem Zaman, director of Animal Management at CCA. "When we first assessed the pond in 2019, hatchlings were almost nonexistent. Scientific incubation and nursery-rearing have now started restoring natural recruitment."

Protecting Eggs from Predators

During the nesting season, turtle eggs are highly vulnerable to predators and environmental hazards. To safeguard them, trained volunteers locate nests and transfer eggs to secure nesting boxes, increasing hatching success. Hatchlings are then raised in a separate pond for several months before being released into the main pond.

Photo: Collected

Earlier attempts to release hatchlings directly into the main pond failed, as many were lost to predation. A dedicated hatchling pond within the shrine complex allows the turtles to grow large enough to survive in the main pond.

"Keeping the hatchlings in a controlled pond for five to six months allows them to reach a safer size," Zaman explained. "Only after that are they released into the main pond."

Shrine Authority's Role

Shrine committee general secretary Md Habibur Rahman said conservation efforts intensified after a poisoning incident in 2004, when criminals attempted to kill the turtles. "With support from the Forest Department and wildlife researchers, we took steps to protect the turtles," he said. "Later, we partnered with CCA to ensure hatchlings survive."

He also noted that devotional visitors often release predatory fish into the pond, which poses a threat to young turtles, making nursery rearing essential.

A Species on the Brink

The Bostami turtle is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Wildlife experts say it is now found only in limited locations in Bangladesh, parts of India, and Myanmar's Arakan region, making the Bayezid pond one of its last remaining sanctuaries. Once widespread, the species has suffered severe population declines due to habitat loss, hunting, and pollution.

Photo: Collected

Unusually, turtles in the Bayezid pond grow much larger than their wild counterparts, reaching up to one metre in length. Conservationists stress that continued cooperation between shrine authorities, government agencies, and wildlife organisations is vital for the species' survival.

"This pond is more than a religious site," Zaman said. "It is one of the last sanctuaries for a turtle fighting extinction."