Archive · 25 Sep 2025
Bengal Forms Expert Team to Investigate Turtle Deaths
In a pond in India, many endangered turtles are dying.
The government has created a team of experts to figure out why.
These turtles, called Mohon by locals, are very important and considered sacred.
Since the start of the year, 42 turtles have passed away.
The team will visit the pond to investigate and provide recommendations to prevent further turtle deaths.
They will work with local organizations that are trying to conserve these turtles, helping maintain the balance of the ecosystem in the pond.
An expert team was formed to investigate the deaths of endangered turtles in Cooch Behar.
The turtles are Black Softshell turtles, deemed critically endangered by IUCN.
The deaths are occurring in Shibdighi pond in Baneswar.
The team was formed in response to a communication from the district magistrate.
Local organizations are working to conserve the turtles.
- Who
- A three-member expert team from the ARD department.
- What
- Investigating the deaths of Black Softshell turtles.
- When
- The team was formed on September 22, 2024.
- Where
- Shibdighi pond in Baneswar, Cooch Behar district.
- Why
- To determine the cause of turtle deaths and prevent future incidents.
- Animal
- Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans)
- Location
- Shibdighi Pond, Baneswar, Cooch Behar district
- IUCN Status
- Critically Endangered
- Team Formation Date
- September 22
- Deaths Since January
- 42 turtles