A TOTAL of 1,000 star tortoises, endemic species, conserved at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary in Minbu (Sagu) Township of Minbu District in Magway Region will be released to their native habitat, according to U Aung San, assistant director of the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Branch of the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary.

Star tortoises in the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary are a native species found only in the central tropical region of Myanmar. The names of the Myanmar Star Tortoise (or) Burmese Star Tortoise are locally called Mya Yellow, Taungpon and Natt tortoises. Starting in 2004, they were bred in Mandalay Yadanabon Park, Lawkananda Sanctuary, Minsone Mountain Sanctuary, and Shwesettaw Sanctuary.

The Department of Forest, Wildlife Group and the Turtle Survival Group raised fences to conserve the rare species in the Mandalay Yadanabon Park, Lawkananda Sanctuary, Minsone Mountain Sanctuary, and Shwesettaw Sanctuary in cooperation with the Department of Forest, Wildlife Conservation Society and the Tortoise Generation Survival Group. Moreover, the adult star tortoises are also released to their native habitats.

“We released 1,750 star tortoises between 2004 and 2019. We will release 1,000 star tortoises in 2022 and 2023. We release tortoises aged three to five years old into their natural habitat,” he said.

Illegal hunting, poaching and illicit wildlife trade have been the principal factors contributing to the critical endangerment of the star tortoises and the staff of Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary conserve over 2,000 star tortoises.

Zeyar Htet (Minbu)/KTZH

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