Rare species of turtle rescued in Natore

Police seized an Indian softshell turtle, weighing around 23kg, from a Dhaka-bound bus in Natore town Thursday.

The narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra indica) also known as a small-headed softshell turtle is an endangered species of softshell turtle found in rivers of the Indian subcontinent.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police conducted a raid on a bus in the Banbelghoria Bypass area, Abu Sadat, officer-in-charge of Natore DB, said.

Wrapped in polythene, the turtle was supposed to be sent to Dhaka’s Savar, he added. “However, police could not arrest anyone for smuggling the turtle.”

According to the guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list, the Indian softshell turtle is considered to be vulnerable because of multiple threats, particularly because of loss of habitation, poaching and trapping for illegal sale.

The seized turtle was sent to the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division in Rajshahi, Sadad said.