Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Toronto Zoo announces Canada's 1st hatching of Burmese star tortoise

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 27 Aug, 2014 10:35 AM
    The Toronto Zoo has announced what it says is the first hatching of a Burmese star tortoise in Canada.
     
    The zoo says the tortoise — a critically endangered species — was hatched in June after 135 days of incubation and that staff used an ultra-sensitive microphone to monitor the embryo on a daily basis.
     
    It describes the Burmese star tortoise as "one of the most beautiful tortoises in the world" with bright radiating yellow stripes that form a distinctive star pattern on the shell.
     
    The zoo has been caring for four Burmese star tortoises since 2007, but this is the first time a fertile egg has been laid.
     
    It was one of nine eggs that were laid back in January, but the zoo says none of the others turned out to be fertile.
     
    The species has undergone a dramatic decline due to mass harvesting and the illegal pet trade.
     
    The Toronto Zoo is a member of the Turtle Survival Alliance, which is involved in an international effort to breed and repatriate tortoises to Burma.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    PM Trudeau's Arctic policy sparked international friction: CIA report

    PM Trudeau's Arctic policy sparked international friction: CIA report
    Pierre Trudeau's bid to enhance Canadian sovereignty and promote economic development in the Arctic created some "friction" with the United States, says a declassified CIA report.

    PM Trudeau's Arctic policy sparked international friction: CIA report

    Metis say museum censoring culture by rejecting performer for opening ceremony

    Metis say museum censoring culture by rejecting performer for opening ceremony
    The Manitoba Metis Federation is accusing the Canadian Museum for Human Rights of censorship and is threatening to boycott the institution because it is excluding a decorated Metis musician from its grand opening.

    Metis say museum censoring culture by rejecting performer for opening ceremony

    Woman files civil suit against three Mounties and City of Williams Lake, B.C.

    Woman files civil suit against three Mounties and City of Williams Lake, B.C.
    A woman who alleges she was beaten by a Mountie in Williams Lake, B.C., when she was 17 has now filed a civil suit against the city and three RCMP officers, including one who was acquitted of an assault charge.

    Woman files civil suit against three Mounties and City of Williams Lake, B.C.

    Cooler weather helps snuff another campfire ban in B.C.'s backcountry

    Cooler weather helps snuff another campfire ban in B.C.'s backcountry
    Campers on the south coast of British Columbia will be able to spark up a campfire by the end of the week.  

    Cooler weather helps snuff another campfire ban in B.C.'s backcountry

    ICBC Seeks 5.2% Raise in Basic Insurance Rates

    ICBC Seeks 5.2% Raise in Basic Insurance Rates
    The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia is aiming to hike basic insurance rates by 5.2 per cent.

    ICBC Seeks 5.2% Raise in Basic Insurance Rates

    Confrontations between humans and cougars means more big cats destroyed in 2013

    Confrontations between humans and cougars means more big cats destroyed in 2013
    The number of cougars destroyed by conservation officers in B.C. in the 2013-2014 fiscal year jumped dramatically compared with a year earlier.

    Confrontations between humans and cougars means more big cats destroyed in 2013