A rare species of yellow tortoise was rescued by a group of students at Jahangirnagar University (JU) from the Bishmail area inside the campus yesterday (19 October).

The species has been identified as an elongated tortoise, scientifically termed as Indotestudo elongata.

According to the students, a few local children discovered the tortoise yesterday afternoon while playing in the Bishmail area. Later, with the help of local environmental activists, JU students successfully rescued the animal.

At around 5pm today, the tortoise was handed over to the Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) in the presence of local environmental activists and students.

According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the elongated tortoise is a species of tortoise found across South and Southeast Asia, stretching from northern India, across Indochina, to southern China and northern Malaysia. 

Experts have confirmed that the species is in severe decline across its natural range and is listed as "critically endangered" species on the IUCN's Red List.

They further noted that in Bangladesh, the species is typically found in the hilly forests of Chattogram and Sylhet. Its natural habitat consists of deep forests, near streams, and areas covered with dry leaves.

However, the appearance of such a species in a plain region like JU is highly unusual.

An environmental activist who took part in the rescue, told The Business Standard that it's so rare that spotting one in the wild is a matter of sheer luck.

"When we first saw it, we couldn't believe our eyes. It's likely that someone brought it here illegally to keep as a pet and later released it after being unable to care for it," he added.

The activist also said, "This tortoise species belongs to hilly areas and usually lives along forest floors and near streams. It has no companions here, and releasing it in this environment would have threatened its survival and reproduction."

"Since Jahangirnagar's landscape is not suitable for it, we quickly contacted the Wildlife Crime Control Unit. This afternoon, we officially handed it over to them. The tortoise will later be released either at the Turtle Breeding Centre in Bhawal National Park or in the hilly forests of Chattogram."

 

Yellow Tortoise / Jahangirnagar University (JU) / IUCN / Critically endangered