Conservationists Sound Alarm Over Invasive Turtle Release in Digboi

Guwahati: Conservationists are demanding tighter controls after the release of a red-eared slider turtle in the Digboi forest range. Wildlife expert Devajit Moran flagged the incident on Sunday. He wants the Forest Department to stop dumping rescued animals into the wild without scientific review. The red-eared slider is not native to Assam. It originates in the southern United States and northern Mexico.

These turtles are top-tier invasive threats. They outcompete local species for food and habitat in sensitive freshwater systems. Records show these turtles already exist in places like Deepor Beel and the Ugratara Temple Pond in Guwahati. Moran noted that wildlife rescue should not be undertaken without first understanding the species involved, its ecological requirements and the circumstances that warrant human intervention.

A 2023 study warned that climate change might help these invaders spread further across India. Beyond the ecological risk, these turtles carry Salmonella bacteria. This creates a hidden public-health hazard for anyone handling them. The Forest Department has yet to clarify who authorized this specific release or if they followed any protocols. Officials must explain these procedures to prevent further environmental damage.