THE Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary in Minbu (Sagu) Township, Minbu District, Magway Region, has announced that visitors can observe the rare Myanmar star tortoise during the Shwesettaw Pagoda Festival.
The Myanmar star tortoise, native to the central tropical region of Myanmar, is a species of spider tortoise. It is bred in Mandalay Yadanabon Park, Lawkananda Sanctuary, Minson Mountain Sanctuary, and Shwesettaw Sanctuary by the Department of Forest, the Wildlife Conservation Group, and the Turtle Survival Group. The population has grown from 297 in 2014 to 1,778 today. Due to its rarity, the species is bred within a fenced area to protect it from extinction.
Shwesettaw Sanctuary is home to a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, butterflies, fish, and birds. This year, the Shwesettaw Environmental and Wildlife Conservation team has set up cages, allowing festival visitors to observe the star tortoises. — Zeyar Naing (Shwekan Myay)/MKKS
