Five rare animal species that are facing the threat of extinction worldwide are being conserved and protected in wildlife sanctuaries across Myanmar.
These five rare species, such as tapirus, clouded leopard, pangolin, Irrawaddy dolphin and star tortoise, are protected in Taninthayi Nature Reserve, Htamathi Wildlife Sanctuary, Lampi Marine National Park, Ayeyawady River and Minson Hill Wildlife Sanctuary.
There are three types of clouded leopards in the world, distinguished by their size and body patterns, with different names depending on the region. They can live up to 11 years and are mainly found in the Himalayan rainforests. The Sumatran clouded leopard in Indonesia is also well known. As a medium-sized wild cat species, they inhabit wildlife sanctuaries in Myanmar, particularly Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary. In 2018, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified them as an endangered species.
The Irrawaddy dolphin, recognized for its friendly appearance and close interaction with humans, is considered a critically endangered species and is protected as a national treasure. Due to higher mortality rates than birth rates, its population continues to decline. As a mammal, it has a gestation period of about 11 months and usually gives birth to only one baby at a time, reaching reproductive maturity between seven and nine years of age. Fewer than 90 Irrawaddy dolphins remain worldwide. Besides Myanmar, they are also found in Singapore and Thailand. IUCN has listed them as an endangered species, and efforts are ongoing to conserve those living in the Ayeyarwady River.
The Myanmar star tortoise, which prefers hot climates, is found in Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing regions. It inhabits deciduous forests and thorny scrublands. As an omnivorous species, it mainly feeds on fibre-rich leaves and prefers to hide under piles of leaves or in sheltered areas. This rare species can be found only in Myanmar, with only around 10,000 individuals remaining, and is being carefully protected.
“The Myanmar star tortoise can be found in their original habitats in Minsonetaung Wildlife Sanctuary in Natogyi Township, Myingyan District, Mandalay Region, Myaleiktaung in PyinOoLwin district and the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary in Minbu of Magway. The species was first recognized as critically endangered in the early 1990s. Conservation efforts began at the Lawkananda Park, where breeding programmes have been carried out. Offspring are later released back into their natural habitats to restore the population,” said an official of NyaungU natural environment and wildlife conservation.
Pangolins are critically endangered due to the high demand for their body parts in traditional medicine, which is decreasing their population. ICUN recognized it as vulnerable, and many countries, including Myanmar, have strictly prohibited their killing. In Myanmar, they can be found in wildlife sanctuaries, particularly in Lampi Marine National Park.
The tapir, considered one of the world’s rarest animals, can only be found in a few countries, including Myanmar. It is a herbivorous animal that resembles a pig but has a short trunk similar to that of an elephant. Tapirs are found in the rainforests of South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia. Their body colours vary by region, including black and brown, pale grey, and combinations of black and white. In Myanmar, black and brown tapirs are found in the Taninthayi Nature Reserve, where they live and reproduce, giving birth to one offspring at a time. — Ottha/KTZH
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