World Turtle News, 07/19/2018

Endangered Burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) wild population in Myanmar reaches 15,000

They had a narrow escape. As prices for star tortoises were high, many people, including children, tried to capture them. But, selling them is illegal. That’s why sellers get very low prices. Children dropped out of school to hunt for tortoises, causing lower education rates and social status in poor communities. According to the figures, up to 250 tonnes of tortoises were sent to China a year,” said Daw Kalyar Platt.

ALSO: sulcata tortoise missing in Oklahoma City, and turtle stabbed to death while culprits remain at large in Bella Vista, AR. Details below.

Turtle News From Around the World

Conservation

USA: in NV, more solar power or protect 7,000 acres of desert tortoise habitat? Public input sought

Spain: increase in loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting, public asked to show respect and report sightings

Fiji: sea turtle workshop successful, attended by numerous conservation organizations

USA: sea turtle hatchling disorientation count rising in FL

Blog

USA: meet Caroline Balch and Tara Lanzer, interns at the Sea Turtle Hospital in NC

Crime & Punishment

(GRAPHIC) USA: turtle stabbed to death in Bella Vista, AR by teenagers, culprits still at large (VIDEO)

Ecology

USA: “Take Care of Your Trash” campaign launches in Coachella Valley, CA, aims to help protect desert tortoises

Health & Medical

USA: 2 fishermen save leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) tangled in buoy (VIDEO)

Miscellany

USA: sulcata tortoise (centrochelys sulcata) missing in Oklahoma City (VIDEO)

Did You Know…

The burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) is found in forests and forest edges in the dry zone of central Myanmar. It is classified as Critically Endangered.

(Learn more from the Turtle Room here)

Question or Concerns? Want to submit an article to get posted? Email us at [email protected].

Photo from Phyo Wai Kyaw/The Myanmar Times.

Author

WTN Editor

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top