The Goa State Forest Department staff reportedly rescued three semi-aquatic terrestrial turtle species from Colva Beach recently. Two of the turtles were Red Eared Sliders and the third species rescued was the Indian Flapshell Turtle. These exotic turtles are kept as pets which activity has increased in the country due to unregulated pet trade. It appears that the turtles found at Colva Beach may have escaped from captivity or have been abandoned. Turtles like Red Ear Slider Turtle, Reeve's Turtle, Wood Turtle, African Sideneck Turtle, Indian Flapshell turtle are the few species that are most commonly reared as pets in India. The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 protects every native turtle and tortoise species found in India. The Red-Eared Slider, an exotic turtle species from the United States, greatly threatens India's biodiversity. These turtles, often bought as pets, are abandoned in local water bodies when they grow too large or become difficult to care for. Once released into water bodies inhabited by native species, they become invasive and harmful to the local species by competing for food. There needs to be a total ban on keeping exotic turtle species as pets.
