Of the approximately 360 species of turtles known today, more than 60 percent are endangered or already extinct. Breeding endangered turtle species in captivity is very difficult. However, zoologists in Styria succeeded.
The acutely endangered Vallarta mud turtle was successfully bred at the Styrian breeding station “Turtle Island” in Deutschlandsberg.
Three specimens of the world’s smallest turtle species – the Vallarta mud turtle – were born at the Turtle Island site in February.
The Vallarta mud turtle (Kinosteron vogti) is critically endangered. The species was only officially described in 2018 and is only found in the Mexican resort of Puerto Vallarta. However, urbanization, which is rapidly destroying the last habitats of the species, requires urgent action.
The parents were brought to the breeding station in Styria in 2022 – on February 8, the offspring were hatched, which the breeders were eagerly awaiting, the turtle conservation breeding station announced.
In addition to the offspring, the breeding team in Puerto Vallarta, working closely with the University of Guadalajara (Mexico), installed a turtle fence so that the endangered species is not run over by traffic. A breeding station for conservation is being planned in cooperation with the local authorities.
Source: Krone
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