Asian Giant Tortoise Conservation Breeding & Rewilding
Species Status & Landscape Strategy
Northeast India’s Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot harbors the last strongholds of the Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys)—the largest tortoise in mainland Asia. Driven to the brink of functional extinction by historical over-exploitation and habitat loss, saving this species requires an integrated approach linking ex-situ conservation breeding with in-situ wild recovery. Wildlife Survival Alliance Foundation India in partnership with the Nagaland and Manipur Zoological Parks, leads the nation’s largest conservation initiative for the species, combining scientific breeding, habitat evaluation, and binding conservation agreements with indigenous village committees across the region.
Wild Habitat Evaluation & Field Surveys
To prepare for reintroductions, WSAFI conducts field assessments to map extant wild populations and identify suitable release sites. Working across Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) and rural districts—including Okotso in Wokha district and the Niuland district landscape—WSAFI collaborates directly with indigenous community members and local trackers. These ecological surveys assess habitat integrity, microclimate suitability, and historical range parameters to ensure optimal conditions for pilot tortoise releases.
Historic Rewilding & Telemetry Tracking
Marking a landmark milestone for Indian herpetology, WSAFI executed the country’s first monitored wild release of the Asian Giant Tortoise in December 2022 within Intanki National Park. Following over five years of dedicated conservation breeding, ten soft-released, radio-tagged tortoises were reintroduced into protected wild habitat. In close collaboration with Intanki National Park management, WSAFI’s field biologists continuously track the individuals using VHF radio-telemetry to document post-release dispersal, survival rates, habitat selection, and foraging behavior.
