Asian Giant Tortoise Breeding at Manipur Zoo

In a landmark achievement for wildlife conservation in India, the Manipur Zoological Garden (MZG), in partnership with the India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP), has carried out the first successful artificial incubation of Asian Giant Tortoises (Manouria emys phayrei). A total of 28 hatchlings emerged from a single nest in 2025, marking a crucial step in protecting one of the world’s most threatened reptile species.

About the Asian Giant Tortoise

The Asian Giant Tortoise is the largest tortoise species in mainland Asia. It is,

• Scientific name: Manouria emys phayrei
• Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)
• Native habitat: Northeast India (Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya) and parts of Southeast Asia
• Threats: Habitat loss, hunting for meat, and illegal wildlife trade

Its conservation is vital as it plays an ecological role in forest ecosystems, especially in seed dispersal.

Conservation Efforts at Manipur Zoo

The MZG initiative is the first of its kind in the region, aiming not only at captive breeding but also at restoring populations in the wild.

Key Highlights

• 28 hatchlings were successfully incubated from a single nest.
• The breeding programme will be scaled up with dedicated facilities.
• Plans include annual breeding cycles followed by phase-wise release into natural habitats.
• On August 21, 2025, a capacity-building workshop was organized to train 25 zookeepers and frontline forest staff in turtle and tortoise conservation.

Role of ITCP and Future Plans

The India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP) is working closely with MZG to ensure scientific management of breeding and release. According to project coordinator Sushmita Kar,

• Habitat assessments will be conducted to identify suitable release sites.
• Native distribution data will be collected across Manipur.
• The project aims to understand current population status and design site-specific conservation strategies.
• This integrated approach ensures that the hatchlings are not just bred in captivity but also given a real chance of survival in the wild.

National and Regional Significance

This achievement has both ecological and policy importance,

• Biodiversity conservation: Protecting the tortoise supports the rich reptilian diversity of Northeast India.
• Wildlife governance: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has classified MZG as a medium zoo, which strengthens its role in conservation programmes.
• Regional pride: It highlights Manipur’s role as a pioneer in reptile conservation, encouraging similar efforts in other states.

Important Takeaways

• Species: Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei)
• Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN)
• Native range: Northeast India (Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya)
• Achievement: First successful artificial incubation at Manipur Zoological Garden in 2025
• Collaboration: Manipur Zoo with India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP)