Ninja turtle surfaces in Rajarhat, Kolkata

A red-eared slider turtle, which was the inspiration behind the Ninja turtles, has been found in a waterbody in Rajarhat, Kolkata. It is smuggled as a pet all over the world and in 2013, almost 10,000 such turtles were seized at city airport as they were being smuggled out to south India. Now, the sighting of this unique species of turtle, which is a native species of America, has led to speculations about its source.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 21 August 2015.

It could be an abandoned pet or one that managed to escape from the clutches of smugglers during transportation. There is a crack on its shell and, in the opinion of wildlife experts, which could be the reason of why its owner has abandoned it.
These turtles are native to South America, central, southern and western USA and Mexico and there is a large demand for them in South Indian households and also Pune and Mumbai. A Wildlife Crime Control Bureau official feels that since they belong to an exotic species, its source needs to be established.
These red-eared slider breeds throughout the year and can wipe out several native species apart from fish in the local water bodies.
(Image courtesy wikmediacommons.org)

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