Conservation breeding of Northern River Terrapin Batagur baska (Gray, 1830) in Sundarban Tiger Reserve, India

The population of Northern River Terrapin Batagur baska is ‘Critically Endangered’ and threatened with extinction. In India, the species was once known to occur in mangroves West Bengal Odisha. sub-population Odisha suspected have been wiped out. Sundarban Tiger Reserve Turtle Survival Alliance launched a modest conservation breeding program 2012 recover using small number adults as founders. Gravid adult females are kept dedicated enclosure minimal disturbance, eggs incubated outdoor on an artificial nesting beach, hatchlings raised develop assurance colonies for purposes reintroduction future. Currently, project holds 12 over 350 juveniles various size classes. Three additional were developed 70 sub-adults from 2012–13 batches, rain-fed ponds within STR.