Manipur Zoo Achieves First Artificial Incubation of Critically Endangered Asian Giant Tortoise
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IMPHAL — A significant breakthrough in reptile conservation has been achieved by the Manipur Zoological Garden in partnership with the India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP): 28 hatchlings of the critically endangered Asian giant tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei) were successfully produced via artificial incubation.
This marks the first such success on mainland Asia for this species, which has been under serious threat from habitat loss, hunting, and human disturbance. The achievement is particularly important because it strengthens efforts to revive populations of a tortoise species that is part of India’s northeastern biodiversity but is rarely in the spotlight.
As part of the initiative, 25 zookeepers and frontline forest staff received specialized training on tortoise care, breeding, incubation, and conservation protocols. Under the supervision of veterinary experts and conservation staff, these hatchlings will be nurtured in the zoo before eventually being released into suitable wild habitats in phases, once they reach a certain maturity.
Additional efforts are underway to map existing tortoise habitats in Manipur, assess threats, and identify safe sites for release. The project also emphasizes building local capacity and awareness, with zoo and forest department staff being trained, and local communities expected to play a role in protecting wild populations.
This milestone represents a hopeful turn in the conservation story of the Asian giant tortoise, demonstrating that scientific methods like artificial incubation—combined with habitat protection and community engagement—can offer a viable path to restoring populations of critically endangered species.
