Endangered softshell turtle rescued from JU campus

An endangered Indian peacock softshell turtle was rescued from the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus on Monday evening.

Conservationist Auritro Sattar rescued the turtle from a road between Rangpukur Pond and Medical Pond, along the route from Chowrangi to Al-Biruni Hall.

The turtle’s shell measures 60 centimetres in length and 46 centimetres in width, while its neck is 25 centimetres long.

Auritro said the turtle appeared healthy during an initial examination, although it was missing its right forelimb from birth.

He said the turtle was being kept in shallow water in a swimming pool at his residence. A veterinarian had been called, and efforts were underway to contact the Forest Department.

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Contacted, noted zoologist Prof MA Aziz said the turtle was rare and not native to the area.

“It is a very rare turtle. It is not native to this area and is generally found in large rivers. We suspect someone may have released it here,” he said.

The Indian peacock softshell turtle (Nilssonia hurum) is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.