First artificial incubation of Asian giant tortoises succeeds in Manipur

Mr. Jindal
2 Min Read

“Dedicated facilities would be developed for the successful breeding and phase-wise release of the species in the wild,” Manipur Zoological Garden’s Director, Laishram Biramangol Singh, said.

“Dedicated facilities would be developed for the successful breeding and phase-wise release of the species in the wild,” Manipur Zoological Garden’s Director, Laishram Biramangol Singh, said.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

GUWAHATI

The first experiment to artificially incubate the largest tortoise in mainland Asia has succeeded in conflict-scarred Manipur.

The Manipur Zoological Garden in Imphal and the India Turtle Conservation Program (ITCP) recorded 28 hatchlings from a nest of the Asian giant tortoises.

The Asian giant tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei) is a critically endangered species native to five northeastern States — Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. The hatchlings of this species have initiated a conservation breeding programme in Manipur toward releasing them in the wild.

The project involved the training of 25 zookeepers and frontline forest staff on the conservation and management of tortoises and freshwater turtles on August 21. The training was in collaboration with the ITCP.

“Our zoo is known for the flagship breeding of the sangai or brow-antlered deer. Initiating the conservation of the Asian giant tortoise, a magnificent but lesser-known reptile, has added value to our programmes,” the zoo’s Director, Laishram Biramangol Singh, said on Monday (August 25, 2025).

“Dedicated facilities would be developed for the successful breeding and phase-wise release of the species in the wild,” Mr. Singh said.

“We will conduct assessments for suitable habitats for the species, and collect information on its native distribution ranges in different districts of Manipur to understand their population status and address its specific conservation requirements,” ITCP’s project coordinator, Sushmita Kar, said.

The key members of the tortoise conservation programme in the Manipur Zoological Garden are veterinarian L. Sarat Chandra, range officer Georgie Yumnam, and animal attendant Durga Charan Karmakar.

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