Wildlife dept documents rare star tortoise digitally

Sindh govt introduces legislation against poachers, aiming to strengthen wildlife protection

KARACHI:

In a significant milestone for wildlife conservation, the Sindh Wildlife Department has released the first ever digital record of one of the rarest terrestrial desert tortoise, the star tortoise, in the history of Sindh.

Previously, information about star tortoise was limited to historical documents.

Star tortoise, found in Sindh, is a threatened species endangered by smugglers due to its value as an 'exotic pet'.

According to the Sindh Wildlife Department, the star tortoise is an integral part of the ecosystem. The desert dwelling species primarily feeds on wild grasses, fruits, and seeds.

These remarkable creatures possess yellow stars on their dark shells, which are natural works of art but have unfortunately become a major threat to their survival. People collect these tortoises for their starred shells.

Poachers are exploiting the aesthetic appeal of these rare tortoises, leading to their capture from their natural habitats and illegal smuggling abroad. To combat this issue, the Sindh government has introduced legislation to enhance penalties and fines against poachers, aiming to strengthen wildlife protection. The diligent efforts of various agencies, conducting successful operations against wildlife traffickers at international border areas, have significantly contributed to preventing wildlife trafficking.

However, the habitat of these rare land turtles remains under threat from cattle movement and climate change.

In Sindh, these exquisite animals are found in the desert habitat of Kirthar Range, Nara Desert, and Rana of Kutch.

Sindh wildlife department officials said that in the absence of special conservation laws and practices, star tortoise were at risk of extinction in Pakistan and other Asian countries. The tortoise, which live for up to 40 to 120 years, are especially popular because of their unique and colourful she