Delight as Chester Zoo breeds turtle on brink of extinction

A RARE baby turtle has hatched at Chester Zoo giving conservationists hope an endangered species can be saved.

Keepers were thrilled when the new arrival hatched because the tiny reptile is the first spiny turtle ever bred in the UK.

Native to countries including Burma, Indonesia and Thailand, spiny turtles are facing extinction in the wild because of habitat loss, hunting and the international pet trade.

But the fight to haul the species back from the brink has been boosted.

Chester Zoo keeper Ruth Smith said: "There have only ever been a handful of successful breeding efforts documented, anywhere in the world, so we're absolutely ecstatic with our new arrival – it's breaking new ground for us.

"Breeding these rare turtles here allows us to study and learn about their reproductive ecology and what makes these beautiful, yet complex, animals tick.

And it's that kind of information which can be invaluable for conservation action in the wild.

"The intensive care and delicate work we've put into getting this turtle to hatch and all the information, skills and things we've learnt in doing so are vital tools we can apply in the field.

"We'll now share this expertise and really maximise our chances of being able to better protect and help the recovery of not only this, but other similar species, in the wild."

The baby turtle's parents arrived at Chester Zoo in 2001 having been rescued when an illegal haul was confiscated by wildlife authorities in Hong Kong.

Keeper Isolde McGeorge said: "They were all very, very sick and, at the time, we were really worried we were going to lose them.

"Twelve years later, to have now reached this momentous point where we've actually managed to breed them is incredibly satisfying and one of the greatest success stories of my time working here.

"The challenge now though is to replicate this and help make sure the future of the species is better safeguarded."

Growing to no more than 22 centimetres long, the diminutive turtle normally lives in swamps and wet forests in South East Asia.

But numbers in the wild are feared to be plummeting and the spiny turtle is classed as endangered on the red list of the most threatened species.

Prior to the new spiny turtle hatching at Chester Zoo, only a handful of successful captive breeding efforts have been recorded and the new arrival is being given very special care.

Miss Smith said: "When a species is as endangered as the spiny turtle, each individual is so important.

"We're giving our little fellow around the clock attention as everything we're learning could be crucial if we're going to try and prevent their slide towards extinction."

Source: http://www.articles.myanmaronlinecentre.com/delight-as-chester-zoo-breeds-turtle-on-brink-of-extinction/