Hatchlings of the critically endangered 'Batagur baska', a species of Ketu turtle. Photo: BSS

KHULNA, May 5, 2025 (BSS) - 65 hatchlings of the critically endangered 'Batagur Baska', a species of ketu turtle, were born at the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Center in the Sundarbans today.

The newborn turtles were transferred to a conservation tank at the center's turtle rearing facility, confirmed Howlader Azad Kabir, Officer-in-Charge of the Karamjal center under the Chandpai Range of the Sundarbans East Division.

Talking to BSS, Kabir said a female ketu turtle laid 82 eggs on February 15. The eggs were collected and incubated in sand under close observation. On Monday morning, 65 healthy hatchlings emerged from the nest site near the center's pond.

"These hatchlings have been placed in a special nurturing tank and will later be moved to a larger pond before being released into the wild," he added.

The breeding program for Batagur Baska began at Karamjal in 2014 with just eight turtles. Since then, the turtles have laid 521 eggs, resulting in 475 successful hatchlings.

Currently, the center houses 458 turtles of various ages. Over the years, more than a hundred young turtles have already been released into the sea and the Sundarbans to support the recovery of the species in the wild.