Endangered tortoises find new home at zoo’s latest exhibit
A ploughshare tortoise. Photo: Wildlife Reserves Singapore
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Zoo has a new “Tortoise Shell-ter” housing three critically endangered species in the 400sqm exhibit, which also serves as a sanctuary for confiscated tortoises, often victims of the illegal wildlife trade. The Tortoise Shell-ter is home to the Burmese star, radiated, ploughshare, yellow-footed, elongated and African-spurred tortoise species. Three of these — the Burmese star, ploughshare and radiated tortoises — have never been displayed before.
Through this latest Zoo attraction, the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) hopes to raise awareness on endangered tortoises and the illegal wildlife trade. The ploughshare tortoise from Madagascar, for example, is “at extreme risk” of going extinct in the wild within 10 to 15 years. There are just 200 adults left in the wild, surviving in a 12sq km patch in Madagascar.
Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, WRS’ deputy CEO and chief life sciences officer, said: “Within the span of just one human generation, many turtle and tortoise species have been decimated to near extinction through our activities.”
“We are working in the zoo as well as in their native habitats to prevent these ancient creatures from disappearing from earth altogether,” referring to the zoo’s conservation breeding programme. It offers the possibility of reintroducing the reptiles to the wild, but the zoo adds that this will only be done when their safety can be ensured.
The Tortoise Shell-ter, which opened to the public last month, will also be a sanctuary for confiscated tortoises, often victims of the illegal wildlife trade. According to WRS, the Indian star tortoises are the most confiscated tortoise species in Singapore, and they too are be part of the exhibit’s inhabitants.
To recreate the natural habitats of each of the seven species of tortoise on display, the Shell-ter features rock walls, plants and a climate specific to each species’ natural habitat.
In a media release on Friday (May 20), WRS added that besides tortoises, the Shell-ter is also home to other compatible reptiles, like the green iguana and the veiled chameleon.
