Red-eared Slider Turtle

Concern has been raised over the red-eared slider turtle, an invasive species, showing up in Kerala's public water bodies.

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The main issue is that it not only devastates the aquatic habitat (leading to the extinction of native species), but it also harbours bacteria that are dangerous to humans. It is therefore recognized as a significant invasive alien species.
Of the 356 turtle species recognized worldwide, 29 freshwater turtle and tortoise species are found in India, and almost 80% of them are vulnerable.
In India, the wildlife preservation act forbids keeping native turtles as pets. However, there are no restrictions on keeping foreign breeds as pets, and this is true across India.

Red-eared Slider Turtle

Trachemys scripta elegans is its scientific name.
These compact, low-maintenance species are popular choices for pets. Compared to other turtle species in the area, the species reproduce more quickly.
It is common in urban wetlands in India, including the Yamuna River in Delhi, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai, the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, and the temple ponds in Guwahati.

Freshwater turtles with red stripes behind each ear are known as red-eared sliders.
Native to the southern United States and Mexico, the red-eared slider has spread around the world, including to India, thanks to the trade in exotic animals.

Unique qualities:

They have a wide red or orange stripe behind each eye, and the rest of their black body, neck, legs, and tail are marked with tiny yellow stripes.
They resemble helmets in shape with their dome-shaped shell.
Ecosystem threat: Red-eared slider turtles are thought to pose a serious risk to local turtle species because they grow quickly, are bigger, have younger, and are extremely aggressive. In the race for food, nesting locations, and sunbathing areas, they can defeat native turtles.
Studies have shown that they can spread parasites and diseases to local reptile species.
The Red-Eared Slider Turtle is regarded as one of the worst invasive animals in the world.
Conservation: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora makes no mention of it.
The Red-Eared Slider Turtle is on the list of the top 100 invasive species published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

What actions may be taken to stop the invasion?

These turtles need to be captured, confined and delivered to the nearest zoo.
Government officials and environmentalists must take action to stop more red-eared slider turtles from entering water bodies and implement mitigation measures.
These turtles were retrieved and rehabbed manually from urban wetlands. To take these turtles into custody, a campaign should be undertaken to declare or give up turtles.

Also, Read - Exploiting the Chinese exit

Source: The Hindu

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