On Monday night (October 26), Job candidate Md. Saidur Rahman Siyam, son of Md. Dulal Uddin of Dikpara village, spotted the turtle behind a shop in Amtoli Bazar and brought it home. Siyam later informed Wildlife Ranger Md. Abdullah Al Amin of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department, Sherpur, along with Md. Mugniur Rahman Moni, Founder President of Sherpur Bird Club, Executive Director of the nature and environmental organization Shine, and senior journalist. They rushed to the scene and safely released the turtle into a water body.
Wildlife Ranger Md. Abdullah Al Amin stated that the scientific name of the rescued turtle is the peacock-marked softshell turtle. They are nocturnal, aquatic, less aggressive, and omnivorous—consuming snails, earthworms, prawns, fish, frogs, dead and decaying matter, insect larvae, and aquatic vegetation. Their natural habitats include rivers, lakes, ponds, and ditches, and everyone must step forward to conserve them.
Sherpur Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Officer Suman Sarkar noted that several turtle species exist in Bangladesh, with populations alarming dropping due to various reasons. Under Schedule 1 (b) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, turtles are protected animals. Hence, hunting, killing, or harming them is a punishable offense under Section 41 (3) of the Act.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Hafizur Rahman Lovelu, Sherpur Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
