Kanpur: In a significant development at Kanpur Zoo, twenty-five hatchlings of rare and critically endangered Batagur turtles emerged on Tuesday, ending a nine-year period of breeding.According to zoo authorities, the hatchlings are under special monitoring.An official said the zoo received 19 turtles, two males and 17 females, from Chambal in 2017. One male was later sent to another zoo, leaving 18 turtles.However, breeding was hindered because insufficient sand in the enclosures prevented eggs from developing safely.Last year, director Dr Kanhaiya Patel ordered a thick layer of sand laid in the enclosures.Finding a suitable environment for breeding, the female turtles laid eggs in the sand about two months ago, and the zoo administration monitored them continuously.The officials said that following Tuesday’s hatching, the Batagur turtle population rose from 18 to 43. Patel said a zookeeper had been assigned special duty to watch the turtles.
