Securing the future of the Burmese Roofed Turtle in a time of conflict

Image: Brian D. Horne

The emergency

With the re-emergence of gold-dredging on the upper Chindwin River, the continued survival of the only surviving wild population of Burmese Roofed Turtle is further threatened. Efforts are being taken to

1. safeguard translocated turtles in the Chindwin River

2. expand captive breeding efforts and alleviating over-crowding at the assurance colonies within Myanmar

3. achieve successful captive-breeding at Singapore Zoo, the only Burmese Roofed Turtle assurance colony outside of Myanmar

4. identify and evaluate other potential locations where turtles may be translocated.

Results

1. Established a 5th assurance colony of 100 free-ranging turtles in a large reservoir at Hlawga Wildlife Park.

2. Transferred 50 individuals from Mandalay Zoo to Yangon Zoo to alleviate potential overcrowding at the former facility.

3. Conducted a GIS-based mapping exercise to identify reservoirs and smaller streams and rivers that may be suitable sites for translocating head-started B. trivittata.

4. Collaborated with Singapore Zoo to improve management in ways that could lead to successful reproduction of the assurance colony there.

Reports

AT A GLANCE

Organisation: Wildlife Conservation Society

Country: Myanmar

Year project started: 2025

Species: Burmese Roofed Turtle

Supported by: Fondation Segré