YANGON (Xinhua): A significant move was underway to release 1,000 captive-bred endangered Myanmar star tortoises into their natural habitat, an official from the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary said on Tuesday (Oct 17).
Given the endangered status of the star tortoises in Myanmar, concerted efforts are being made to breed and protect them in the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary, and Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary, the official said.
The forthcoming release, scheduled for this year, will involve 1,000 star tortoises aged three to five years old, all of which have been raised in the Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary, U Aung San, head of the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, told Xinhua on Tuesday.
"We already prepared to reintroduce them into their natural habitat," he said. While they currently roam within the wild, they are protected by fencing. The final release will take place following consultation with the authorities, he said.
Illegal hunting, poaching and illicit wildlife trade have been the principal factors contributing to the critical endangerment of the star tortoises, he said.
The Myanmar star tortoise, distinguished by shell patterns that resemble stars, is indigenous to the dry and deciduous forests of Myanmar.
As of now, more than 2,000 star tortoises have been successfully bred in captivity at the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Magway Region of west-central Myanmar, he said.
