Turtle Rehabilitation Project: 340 Indian Star Tortoises released in wild

In a significant milestone for wildlife conservation 340 Indian Star Tortoises have been successfully released into the wild at Jogapur Reserve Forest in the Rajura Forest Range of the Central Chanda Forest Division the officials said on SaturdayThe largescale release of Indian Star Tortoises led by the Maharashtra Forest Department under the leadership of Vivek Khandekar the then Chief Wildlife Warden was conducted in collaboration with the RESQ Charitable Trust RESQ CT and facilitated by the Pune Wildlife DivisionThe development marks one of the largest organised releases of Indian Star Tortoises in the state following an intensive rehabilitation programme that began in late 2024 The tortoises previously rescued from the illegal wildlife trade have now found a new home in the reserve forests of Chandrapur an area known for its natural habitat suitability for the speciesThe Turtle Rehabilitation Project TRP was established to address the increasing issue of turtles and tortoises being rescued from captivity and illegal wildlife trade With a statewide approach to their rehabilitation the project aims to provide a systematic and sustainable solution for their return to the wild Over the past few months 441 Indian Star Tortoises have been admitted to the programme many in poor health due to their previous conditions in captivity With a survival rate of approximately 80 per cent the current cohort ready for release has successfully completed all stages of medical care quarantine and environmental acclimatisationOrganisations involved in the rescue of the animals into the TRP include OIPA ACF amp PAWSMumbai Bhavans Nature and Adventure Centre WWA India RAWW Thane Community for the Protection and Care of Animals Dahanu Turtle Rescue Centre RESQCTEco Echo Nashik and RESQ Charitable Trust Pune which spearheaded the rehabilitation and release project The rehabilitation was supported by generous donations and collaborative efforts with the Maharashtra Forest DepartmentThe rehabilitation programme carried out at the Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre in Bavdhan Pune was designed to closely replicate the animals natural living conditions Many of the rescued tortoises had spent prolonged periods in captivity often in substandard conditions leading to nutritional deficiencies and health issues Upon arrival the tortoises were categorised based on size and sex to reduce stress and ensure appropriate careThe rehabilitation process involved stabilisation medical treatment and quarantine followed by a gradual transition to seminatural outdoor rehabilitation habitats The tortoises were placed on speciesspecific diets focused on native grasses and seasonal vegetation to rebuild gut health and encourage natural foraging behaviours Special attention was also given to UV exposure and thermoregulation through basking zones and shaded resting areas The goal was to help the tortoises regain their natural behaviours and adapt to wild conditionsProgress was carefully tracked through biometric assessments such as weight shell quality hydration levels and behavioural observations of feeding mobility and social interactions A team of dedicated wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians provided continuous care tailored to the needs of each individualEncouragingly the majority of the tortoises demonstrated significant improvements in activity levels and adaptation to wild diets highlighting their strong potential for survival after release The animals underwent a 900kilometre journey from Pune to Chandrapur where they were released into Jogapur Reserve Forest an area that has seen successful past releases of this speciesThe release operation was carried out with the enthusiastic participation of over 100 children from Adarsh Vidyalaya Rajura symbolising the growing commitment of the younger generation towards wildlife conservation The event was supervised by Swetha Boddu Deputy Conservator of Forests Central Chanda Forest Division and Pawan Jong SubDivisional Forest Officer Rajura Postrelease monitoring will be carried out by Adesh Shendage ACF Suresh Yelkewad Range Forest Officer and local forest staffDr Clement Ben Additional Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife West Mumbai commented ldquoThis release reflects Maharashtras increasing commitment to combat illegal wildlife trafficking through longterm sustainable rehabilitation and release programmes that return animals to their natural habitatsrdquoJitendra Ramgaonkar IFS Chief Conservator of Forests Chandrapur highlighted ldquoThese releases have not only strengthened local populations but also contributed to restoring ecological balance in the region Innovative tagging solutions are being explored to better monitor the movement and behaviour of the tortoises postrelease which will help inform future conservation strategiesrdquoTushar Chavan IFS Deputy Conservator of Forests Wildlife added ldquoThe Turtle Rehabilitation Project stands as a testament to what can be achieved through scienceled conservation collaboration and dedicated rehabilitation effortsrdquoIndian Star Tortoises are vital to the ecosystems they inhabit As herbivores they help maintain vegetation balance by grazing on grasses and lowlying plants contribute to seed dispersal and aid in soil aeration through their movement The release of these tortoises not only restores individual lives but also reinforces the ecological stability of the habitats they are reintroduced intoDuring the release the children participated in an awareness session to learn about the tortoises vital ecological role and the dangers they face from illegal pet trade The session concluded with a call for action encouraging students to spread the message that these animals belong in the wild not in homes as petsNeha Panchamiya Founder and President of RESQ CT expressed ldquoIndian Star Tortoises are among the most soughtafter species in the illegal pet trade suffering immensely due to the growing demand This release is not just about returning them to the wildmdashitrsquos a celebration of their freedom It is deeply rewarding to witness their instinctive behaviours as they explore their natural surroundings postrelease Future releases will incorporate tracking devices to monitor the tortoises movements without hindering their natural behaviourrdquo