YANGON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,746 endangered Myanmar star tortoises have been preserved at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, including 60 males, 112 females and 1,574 of undetermined gender, U Aung San, head of the sanctuary, told Xinhua on Thursday.
People trading star tortoises as food and pets caused them to become endangered. Now, they are kept safe to stop theft, U Aung San said.
Measures have been implemented to combat theft, including the installation of solar lighting for nighttime visibility, iron fences and regular fence maintenance, he added.
According to U Aung San, in 2023, 599 baby tortoises hatched out, and in 2024, there are 1,584 eggs expected to hatch in May.
Adult female star tortoises lay eggs between September and February, usually one to four times a year. These eggs hatch from May to July.
Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary are protecting Myanmar star tortoises from extinction.
Since beginning with just six Myanmar star tortoises in 1999, Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Magway region of west-central Myanmar, has successfully bred a total of 1,746 star tortoises in captivity. ■
