Turtle and Tortoise Conservation

Freshwater turtles and tortoises are important parts of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. As herbivores, predators, scavengers, prey, and seed dispersers, they help maintain ecological balance. Myanmar supports globally significant turtle and tortoise diversity, including endemic and threatened species found nowhere else on Earth. Tortoises disperse seeds, recycle nutrients, and support the regeneration of dry forests and grasslands. Freshwater turtles remove carrion and organic matter, recycle nutrients, and help maintain water quality and healthy food webs. Because they mature late and reproduce slowly, turtles are highly vulnerable to illegal trade, habitat loss, pollution, destructive fishing, and nesting-site disturbance. Habitat protection, conservation breeding, nest protection, egg translocation, rescue and rehabilitation, reintroduction, research, and monitoring help prevent extinction and restore depleted wild populations.