For over two decades, staff at the San Diego Zoo have been hoping that the three Indian narrow-headed softshell turtles in their guardianship to one day reproduce. Recently, that hope came true — the rare turtles finally bred, and San Diego Zoo became "the first accredited organization in North America to hatch and raise the species."
Over the summer, the zoo welcomed 41 hatchlings. Most of the eggs were stored in an artificial incubator designed for the survival of the hatchlings, while some eggs hatched successfully in the turtles' habitat.
Kim Gray, the zoo's curator of herpetology and ichthyology, states that this event is "an incredible step forward" in the conservation efforts for these turtles.
The Indian narrow-headed softshell turtles are native to South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, and Nepal, and the turtle is listed as an endangered species. There are multiple factors that threaten their survival, such as climate change, damming of rivers, increased flooding, and gravel mining.
(Image Credit: Ana Ramirez/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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(Image Credit: Ken Bohn/ San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance)