The striking pattern on this surprisingly vocal tortoise’s shell is usually a great protection, helping it blend in with dried leaves and grass and go unnoticed by predators. Humans, however, find the pattern alluring and demand for the shell in the high-end pet trade has driven the species to the brink of extinction in the wild.
There’s a belief around Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctuary in Myanmar that Earth spirits protect tortoises and wreak vengeance on those who harm them. That makes it an ideal place for National Geographic grantee Kalyar Platt and team to release hundreds of captive-bred Burmese star tortoises. Microchips, other ID markers, and transmitters help them keep track of a few animals to monitor the success of their return to the wild.
Unlike her beloved animal pals, Kalyar Platt has never been slow to come out of her shell. Described as a “force of nature” and “the Indomitable Turtle Lady,” she has boldly made turtle and tortoise conservation a driving force in Myanmar (formerly Burma). Now she’s expanding star tortoise releases to Shwe Settaw Wildlife Sanctuary, and helping to protect other species as well.
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Fewer than
5,000
left in the world.
Giant Aldabra tortoises were recently found escaping the afternoon heat in caves—behavior that may be shaping much of life on the island.
Reptiles and amphibians make up nearly 30 percent of the animals in the Photo Ark. Get to know a few of them better.
For the Burmese star tortoise and other wildlife, time is running out. Join National Geographic explorers, like Kalyar Platt, as they work to protect wildlife, preserve the last wild places on the planet, and push the boundaries of discovery.
Learn how you can help change the world. Get updates from our explorers in the field who are working to save the Burmese star tortoise, lions, elephants, and other threatened wildlife, and find out how you can help in our work to explore and protect the planet.
