Eggs of critically endangered turtle hatches in Sundarbans

Thirty-three eggs of critically endangered Northern River Terrapin (Batagur Baska) have hatched inside the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre located within the world's largest mangrove forest—Sundarbans.

On March 10, a Batagur Baska laid 35 eggs and after a long incubation period, 33 of them hatched today, reports our Bagerhat correspondent.

The Northern River Terrapin is considered critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Redlist.

The hatchlings have now been kept in a hatching pan, made specifically for the turtles, said Azad Kabir, in-charge of the breeding centre.

He also said, the hatchlings would be transferred to another place in six months.

On March 27, another turtle laid 21 eggs and the breeding centre in-charge is hopeful the eggs will hatch by 27 or 28.

The turtles with a lifespan of up to 25 years or so have been declining over the years due to threats to their natural ecosystem. From habitat degradation to pollution, the species are under constant threat but small conservation efforts are trying to reverse the fate of the species.