A rare albino Indian Flapshell turtle rescued

BY AKSHYA ROUT

Jajpur,June 26 : A rare and endangered  albino freshwater Indian flapshell turtle  was  found  on  Monday morning  at village Alatiri village under Panikoili police station   in Jajpur  district. 

I found this  rare turtle  in my orchard near a pond. I handed over the turtle to the local police officer  after  rescuing it , said Somanath Nayak  of Alatiri.

When contacted Chinmayee Behera the IIC of Panikoili police station said ‘ We kept this rare turtle in a pot in the police station till the arrival of  forest officials to release it in the river’.

The Indian flapshell turtle  is protected under schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 . We will soon release the turtle in the river ”, said Jyoti Ranjan Mohapatra the forest range officer of Jajpur Road.