VISAKHAPATNAM: The 184 flap-shelled turtles or Mud Terrapin (Lissemys Punctata) which were rescued from Chintapalli range of Narsipatnam Forest Division recently were shifted to Zoological Park here on Monday. The turtles were found packed in gunny bags on the outskirts of Chintapalli.
The forest officials told the zoo authorities to keep them either in water or in mud.
They also requested the zoo authorities to feed the turtles before shifting them to the zoo water tubs.
According to zoo curator B Vijay Kumar, most of the terrapins (turtles) were in bad shape and with trap wire (fish hook) in the mouth, used as bait for capture by offenders. All the turtles are to be under observation and prognosis is very poor as most of them are suffering with fish hook injuries.
Eighteen terrapins were lost on transit and subsequently 60 as on date. The zoo management is making all efforts to bring all the turtles under good condition with the hope of survival. Local Forest officials said that they had booked a case and are investigating.