Despite the abundance and diversity of river turtles, we sometimes lose sigh of or ignore the existence of these tiny toddlers. Most of us forget their major role in maintaining the ecological balance and their economic importance.

The fresh water turtles are termed as “Vultures in water” because these turtles mainly feeds on the dead animals and fishes in the pond or river to maintain the water clean. Especially the Ganges soft shell and Indian flapshell feed upon the animal carcasses and half-burnt human corpses in River Ganges, where most of the corpses were thrown off…

These turtles are broadly grouped as “hard shells” or “soft shells“. The soft-shell turtles possess elongated snout extended up to a fleshy tube-like proboscis, which consists of nostrils at its tip.

Hard shelled turtles are having a retractile neck and horny shell. The Indian Black turtle is the most commonest hardshell turtle. These turtles are widespread in India. Another hardshell turtle called- Indian Roofted turtle ( It is called so because it is having elevated tent-like carapace) is found in Indus, Brahmaputra and Ganges river system.

As these turtles are having economic importance, these are protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Despite the stringent rules they’re facing challenges due to over exploitation and deforestation. If you are keen on wildlife conservation, immediately protect the turtles in the river and also ponds…

A Green sea turtle of 2years old was rescued by Sea Turtle Inc. This sea turtle lost three of her flippers and had little chance of survival. This was named as “ALLISON“, which is five-inch in length.

Sea turtles can grow to 450 pounds and live for around 100 years. So animal shelter gave prompt treatment for this sea turtle. Now she managed to swim with single flipper. But reintroducing into the sea is questionable as it may be injured by other aquatic faunas and also would be confined to shallow waters for the rest of her life.

Caregivers at Sea Turtle Inc. are now thinking to fit three prosthetic flippers before getting into sea. This prosthetic flippers would be of silicon, which is being used for implants in humans.

A team of physicians from UT Dental Branch and University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have arrived to help Allison get back to its home. They are studying the pros and cons of using silicone in sea water to confirm that it does not dissolve. Hope they will succeed to end the longing for the sea of Allison.