Скачать или смотреть One Man’s Fight to Save a Forgotten Species: The Arakan Forest Turtle (Heosemys depressa)

In spring 2025, Turtle Island founder Peter Praschag achieved a major conservation milestone: after seven years of legal struggles with Austrian authorities, he succeeded in bringing one of the world’s rarest turtles to Austria — the Arakan forest turtle (Heosemys depressa).

Long thought to be extinct, this critically endangered species from Myanmar vanished for over a century after its discovery in 1875 — until a few individuals resurfaced at a rescue center in Hong Kong. Now, four of them have found a new home at the Turtle Island Research Center in Graz, Austria.

With more than 3,000 turtles of 291 species, Turtle Island is the world’s most species-rich conservation breeding center for freshwater turtles and tortoises. Breeding the Arakan forest turtle would be a groundbreaking achievement — and two individuals are already showing signs of readiness.

This video (broadcasted by ORF Austrian Public Broadcaster) features rare footage, background info, and an inspiring story of a meaningful gift: a turtle sponsorship that directly supports conservation efforts.

💚 Learn more about Turtle Island and how you can help:
https://linktr.ee/turtle.island.inter...

🐢 Adopt a turtle and support endangered species:
https://turtle-island.org/adopt-a-tur...

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