Tennessee Aquarium Hatches Critically Endangered Turtles

 

Published: 04/12/2023

This new articles talks about the endangered species Arakan forest turtles, which for so long have been unsuccessfully bred and hatched in zoos/aquariums until now when Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga has successfully bred and hatched 2 little hatchlings giving us a glimpse of hope in slowly repopulating these Arakan Forest turtles who are on the critically endangered species list. 

What caused a decline in the species is exploitation for food, collection to supply the pet trade as well as the destruction of their habitat. Arakans are terrestrial species that can be found in bamboo as well as the old-growth forest in the Arkan mountains of extreme southeastern Bangladesh as well as western Myanmar. At one point in history(1908), these Arakan turtles were believed to be extinct but were rediscovered in 1994 in the Asian food market. 

These little cutie's parents were sent to Tennessee from Atlanta as juveniles and laid 5 eggs in late November of 2022 however only 2 hatched, the 1st in an off-exhibit incubator on March 23 and the 2nd 4 days after making them the first Arakan forest turtles hatched at the Tennessee aquarium. 

The significance of these hatchlings is not only are they adding to the population of the extinct species but also a visual aid when informing the public about the species. Before, not many people knew what an Arakans forest turtle was and most still don't, but with these two new additions bringing attention it is something that can be used to help inform the public. 

https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/tennessee-aquarium-hatches-critically-endangered-turtles