ELEVEN (Yangon, Myanmar) 23 October 13 Wildlife experts diagnose tortoises in Myanmar
Veterinarians from New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) together with researchers from Myanmar will be monitoring the health of Myanmar's endangered Star Tortoises.
A 15-member team visited Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary Park in Bagan on October 16 as well as Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctuary to collect blood samples, droppings and saliva from the tortoises.
The team also collected the blood, saliva and droppings of yellow turtles from Turtle Rescue Camp in Bantbwe Garden of the Forest Department in Naungcho Township, Shan State.
Star Tortoises have been provided safe haven in sanctuary parks to save them from near extinction. Their population has recovered and been on the increase year after year.
The research team planned to release the tortoises back to their natural habitats after making health checks in Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary Park, Bagan.
The WCS has been researching tortoises in Myanmar from October 16 to 22 as part of its work in 500 projects in more than 60 nations around the world.
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