Arakan forest turtle was first discovered in the wild

Arakan forest turtles, one of the world's rarest turtles, are only known through museum specimens and a few captive animals , first found alive in nature, Live Science on April 4. 9 reports.

A team from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) found five Arakan forest turtles in a wildlife sanctuary in Myanmar. Initially, this reserve was established to protect elephants, with many thick bamboo bushes that were difficult to penetrate and few people visited.

At the reserve, the team also found many golden turtles and Asian leaf turtles - two species of turtles that are threatened by illegal wildlife trade.

Arakan Forest Turtle has just been found in Myanmar (Photo: Steven Platt)

" In Asia, turtles are being wiped out by illegal wildlife hunters. We are very happy and surprised to find these rare turtles still alive and well in Myanmar. We will do everything we can to protect the rest of the turtles , 'said Colin Poole, Director of WCS in Asia programs.

Mature Arakan forest turtles are nearly 30cm long, light brown turtles with some black stripes. This species was believed to be extinct until 1994, when conservationists found several specimens at a food market in China. Previously, the last record of this species was the only one found by a British military officer in 1908.