Summary:
1. World Wildlife Conservation Day is celebrated on December 4th to promote awareness about wildlife conservation.
2. The Burmese Star Tortoise in Myanmar is one of the great conservation success stories.
3. The tortoise population was on the brink of extinction but has been successfully bred in captivity and reintroduced into the wild.
4. Despite challenges in Myanmar, conservation efforts continue to protect and release Burmese Star Tortoises.
Every year on December 4th, the Turtle Survival Alliance spearheads the observance of World Wildlife Conservation Day, reminding us of the importance of preserving and protecting our natural world and its magnificent inhabitants. This day is a stark reminder that our actions have far-reaching consequences for all species that call this planet home. In the face of numerous challenges, this year, we celebrate the incredible return of the Burmese Star Tortoise in Myanmar, a remarkable tale of conservation success.
A few decades ago, the Burmese Star Tortoise teetered on the edge of extinction. This species, highly sought after by the wildlife trade, faced relentless hunting and the loss of its natural habitat. Within ten years, these tortoises had all but disappeared from their native habitat in Myanmar. By the mid-2000s, the Burmese Star Tortoise was considered functionally extinct in the wild.
But in the face of adversity, a glimmer of hope emerged. The Turtle Survival Alliance, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Myanmar Forest Department, rallied to protect the remaining wild tortoises held in captivity. These organizations successfully bred the Burmese Star Tortoise in captivity through their dedicated efforts.
Then, in a groundbreaking moment in 2013, the first captive-bred Burmese Star Tortoises were released into the wild. This marked a turning point in the species’ conservation narrative. Since then, more than 20,000 tortoises have hatched, and nearly 5,000 have been reintroduced to their native habitats. Thanks to the collective impact of all partners, these extraordinary animals are not only surviving but thriving and reproducing in the wild.
The challenges faced in Myanmar, including civil and political unrest, have not deterred the conservation efforts dedicated to protecting the Burmese Star Tortoise. This year alone, 1,000 tortoises have been released at the Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, and over 2,500 have hatched through breeding programs at Lawkanandar, Minzontaung, and Shwesettaw sanctuaries. This serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment of conservationists working tirelessly to ensure the survival of these incredible creatures.
As we celebrate World Wildlife Conservation Day, we must recognize the countless stories of triumph and perseverance in adversity. The return of the Burmese Star Tortoise is a testament to what can be achieved when passionate individuals dedicate themselves to protecting and preserving the natural world. It serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that we have the power to make a difference.
On this day, we invite you to celebrate achievements like these and the tireless efforts of conservationists worldwide who dedicate their lives to safeguarding wildlife from the numerous threats they face. By sharing this post and spreading awareness, we can collectively raise our voices and empower others to contribute to the cause.
If you are inspired to take action and help us realize our vision of a world where ALL turtles thrive in the wild, we encourage you to visit our website and join the cause today. Together, we can profoundly impact the future of these magnificent creatures.
Remember that each species has a unique story to tell, and we are responsible for ensuring that these stories are not silenced. As we celebrate World Wildlife Conservation Day, let us strive for a future where the Burmese Star Tortoise and countless other species continue to flourish and grace our planet with their awe-inspiring presence.
Website: turtlesurvival.org
Video Credit: Turtle Survival Alliance and Wildlife Conservation Society
Music Credit: “First Rain” (Freely sourced by GoPro Splice)
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Source Description
On this World Wildlife Conservation Day, we celebrate the story of the stunningly beautiful Burmese Star Tortoise in Myanmar, one of the world’s great conservation success stories.
Each December 4th, Turtle Survival Alliance strives to highlight the importance of observing World Wildlife Conservation Day for turtles and all animals. Founded in 2012, this day seeks to spread awareness about preserving and protecting the natural world and its inhabitants.
In the late 1990s, the Burmese Star Tortoise was on the brink of extinction in Myanmar. Avidly sought for the wildlife trade and with relentless removal from the wild, within a decade, this tortoise species had almost completely disappeared from its native habitat. By the mid-2000s, it was considered functionally extinct in the wild.
Working to protect the few remaining wild tortoises in captivity, the Turtle Survival Alliance, Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Myanmar Forest Department partnered to save them. , in 2013, after successfully breeding them in captivity, we released the first captive-bred Burmese Star Tortoises into the wild. Over 20,000 tortoises have hatched, and nearly 5,000 have been released into their native habitat. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of all partners, these animals are now thriving and reproducing in the wild.
Despite ongoing civil and political unrest in Myanmar, we continue this important work. This year, we have released 1,000 Burmese Star Tortoises at Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary and hatched more than 2,500 between breeding programs at Lawkanandar, Minzontaung, and Shwesettaw wildlife sanctuaries.
Today, we hope you join us in celebrating the efforts like these that conservationists make daily across the globe to protect wildlife from the myriad threats they face—and the positive outcomes that can be achieved through our collective impact.
You can help celebrate World Wildlife Conservation Day by sharing this post and spreading the word about our impact on turtle survival worldwide.
You can help us realize our vision of a planet where ALL turtles thrive in the wild by visiting our website to join the cause today!
www.turtlesurvival.org
Video clips courtesy of Turtle Survival Alliance and Wildlife Conservation Society
Music: “First Rain”
*Freely sourced by GoPro Splice*
