Burmese roofed turtle threatened by water pollution.
The Burmese roofed turtle is an endangered endemic species known only to live in the Ayeyawady, Chindwin, Sitaung, and lower Thanlwin rivers, where it was historically reported to be common.
Flooding of the upper Chindwin River, where these roofed turtles live, filled the river with waste water.
Some aquatic animals were killed by the water pollution.
Moreover, beaches where roofed turtle usually lay eggs were flooded, which may affect the ability of turtles to reproduce.
“As there was flooding and heavy pollution in the river, the turtles are not able to breathe.
The water is filled with garbage, so there is less oxygen for them to breathe.
I have informed villages along the Chindwin River to let me know if they find any dead turtles,” said Myo Min Win.
Roofed turtles were thought to have gone extinct in Myanmar until 2001, when they were discovered near Linphar village in Htamathi sanctuary, on the upper Chindwin River.
Today, there are about 800 roofed turtles in Myanmar.