Pune: On Thursday, the state forest officials of Pune airlifted 63 turtles from Pune to Assam. These endangered species of turtles are to be released into the natural habitat of Assam forests.
The rare turtles covered endangered varieties like the Indian roof turtles, the crowned river tortoise, brown cover turtle, including spotted river terrapin.
An official stated these turtles were rescued throughout multiple seizures in the State. It added that the creatures were sent to Assam on Thursday.
The operation was a collective action by the state forest department and the Turtle Survival Alliance, Pune.
"This is the prime time endangered and rare varieties of turtles are being shipped by air to be discharged into their natural territory in the northeastern land," Rahul Patil, deputy conservator of forest, said.
In Guwahati, the turtles will be handed over to the Turtle Survival Alliance and forest officials from Assam.
Of the 63 turtles, 55 were with the Indian Herpetological Society, Katraj, and eight were with the RESQ Charitable Trust.
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