Northern River Terrapin (Batagur baska):

• Physical features: It is a 60 cm long turtle, recognized by 4 claws in front feet where as other turtles have 5.
• Habitat: The terrapin is found in tidal areas of large rivers, sandbars and riverbanks.
• Status:
  • Presumed to be extinct in several Southeast Asian countries.
  • Described as the world’s second most endangered turtle (Yangtze giant soft shell turtle being the most endangered freshwater turtle).
  • In the Critically Endangered (CR) list of IUCN.
  • Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, India.
  • Included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), making international trade in this species illegal.

Batagur turtles in India:

1. Batagur kachuga (Red-crowned roofed turtle)
2. Batagur dhongoka (Three-striped roofed turtle) – found in the tributaries of the Ganga, such as Chambal.
3. Batagur baska (The Northern river terrapin) – the most endangered of the three species.

• A decade ago, the presence of Northern river terrapin had declined to “undetectable in the wild” in West Bengal and Odisha.
• Since than, officials of the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve and experts from Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), are running a recovery program, through captive conservation breeding.
• Getting new enclosure for the breeding programme would protect the species against natural risks, and also facilitate genetic management.
• The Northern river terrapin is set to get a new home – three fresh water ponds in the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve.
• The turtles will be released with satellite transmitters to determine survival and dispersal.

• It was formed in 2001 as an IUCN partnership for sustainable captive management of freshwater turtles and tortoises.
• It was formed in response to the Asian Turtle Crisis.
• Since then it has become a recognised force in turtle and tortoise conservation globally.