By Nicolas Wallon nwallon@corsematin.com
Published on 07/06/25 at 4:00 p.m. – Updated on 07/06/25 at 4:13 p.m.
- Article taken from: https://www.corsematin.com/article/environnement/133971192395414/pres-dajaccio-des-naissances-inedites-de-tortues-porteuses-davenir-pour-une-espece-venue-dinde
Translated by Beth Holt
A new feat for the Vero Zoo dedicated to turtles: the reproduction of a rare, little-known, and endangered species from the Himalayas. A success that will serve as an example throughout the world.
They are a little over two centimetres long, weigh only a few grams and yet carry on their shells the weight of a more peaceful future for their entire species.
Two Indian tricarinate hill turtles (Melanochelys tricarinata) have hatched at the A Cupulatta Zoological Park.
An unprecedented event of global significance brings hope to this endangered and rare species in the wild, native to the Indian foothills of the Himalayas.
Currently, only seven parks in the world hold individuals of this species, and none have been able to complete an entire reproduction process.
It is important to know that these turtles, poached primarily for their shells, are very poorly documented; only their habitat and diet are truly known.
Turtles that require you to discover everything
The story of these baby turtles began in Corsica in 2022, when the park was selected by the European Turtle Alliance, which coordinates turtle conservation on the old continent, to participate in a breeding program. At the same time, Switzerland also received a few individuals.
At the time, the species was present in captivity only at the Kadoori Farm in Hong Kong. To protect it from various threats, such as diseases, it became necessary to create other colonies elsewhere in the world.
Four individuals, resulting from poaching, were then entrusted to A Cupulatta with the mission of reproducing the species and documenting it.
We’re at the beginning of the challenge’s success, and we’re very pleased,” rejoices Pierre Moisson, the park’s veterinary director. ” The people who trusted us were right to do so. All the data we’re accumulating on breeding, egg incubation, and baby growth will be elements we’ll share with other zoological parks.”
Of the two females present, one has acclimatised well to Corsica, to the point of laying three eggs, in the middle of winter.
Testing different protocols to successfully hatch the turtles
The climate in the tricarinata’s natural habitat is milder than ours. While the four individuals have been on public display every summer since 2022, they are housed in terrariums that are better protected from the cold during the winter.
“This turtle doesn’t hibernate,” the director continues, “and besides, it laid its eggs in winter, it was important that it was comfortable and calm. It’s not easy to receive animals from a different country and of wild origin.”
Of the three eggs, only one was not fertilised. The other two were taken care of by veterinarians and placed in separate incubators.
“It was important to split them to have a chance of success since we didn’t have any known data,” notes Lisa Marazzi, animal technician. “They were at different temperatures and humidity levels. Finally, both hatched, 12 days apart.”
During these testing phases, the eggs’ development was closely monitored. In turtles, sex is determined during incubation, based on temperature and humidity. For these two tortoises, it will be necessary to wait until they reach puberty, i.e., five to six years, to know whether they are males or females.