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Rare Turtle Hatchlings Rescued and Relocated to Rhino Habitat
28 Sep, 2025
Summary
- 104 hatchlings of 3 rare turtle species transported from temple pond
- Turtles released in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, home to one-horned rhinos
- Temple ponds play crucial role in Assam's turtle conservation efforts
On September 27, 2025, a remarkable conservation effort took place in Assam, India. A total of 104 hatchlings of three rare turtle species—the black softshell turtle, Indian tent turtle, and Ganges softshell turtle—were transported from a temple pond in Hajo, 30 km west of Guwahati, and released in the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, a rhino habitat located about 55 km east of Guwahati.
The black softshell turtle is the rarest of the 28 turtle species found in India, and the temple pond at Hayagriva Madhab, built in 1583, has been a crucial sanctuary for these endangered reptiles. The hatchlings were nurtured at the temple in accordance with a long-standing conservation practice and were quarantined under veterinary care at the Assam State Zoo before being released into the wild.
Experts say this approach, pioneered by the Hayagriva Madhab Temple Committee and the Assam State Zoo, demonstrates the power of combining faith-based traditions, community participation, and scientific management to conserve Assam's diverse turtle population, which includes 21 recorded species, many of which are threatened with extinction.
