Recently, the world welcomed a bale of endangered Arakan tawny tortoises to an aquarium in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, announced the arrival of seven chicks.
The aquarium announced the good news in a press release, noting that it is rare for all seven eggs to fully emerge.
Arrival of rare animal helps reveal secrets of ‘one of the least-known species on Earth’
Bill Hughes, the aquarium’s herpetology coordinator, said the emergency situation for all seven eggs laid was “really huge.”
“The hatching is a small victory as it means there will be one more animal in human care as wild populations decline,” he said in a press release.
These Arakan rice turtles recently hatched at the Tennessee Aquarium, making them the largest hatching group at the aquarium. (SWNS)
The aquarium said the Arakanese rice turtle is at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction in Myanmar and Bangladesh and “unwanted attention from illegal traffickers supplying the pet trade and food markets.”
Places across America where you can get up close and personal with rare animals
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, turtle populations have declined by 80% over the past 75 years.
According to the Tennessee Aquarium, the new arrivals in Tennessee are considered the largest group of Arakanese turtles hatched in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility.
This is a photo of one of the turtles that hatched at the Tennessee Aquarium. (SWNS)
According to the aquarium, this turtle is extremely rare and can only be seen at six facilities nationwide.
This isn’t the first time the Tennessee Aquarium has spent money on a new Arakanese turtle.
Rare two-headed snake undergoes surgery in Missouri
Last year, the aquarium welcomed its first ever Aracan turtles, two turtles born from six eggs.
The Tennessee Aquarium announced that in the last year alone, the population of Arakanese turtles at AZA facilities like the aquarium has increased by 27%.
These turtles are endangered, so the successful hatching of seven new turtles is considered a success. (SWNS)
“It’s important to disperse viable populations to zoos and aquariums,” Hughes said.
He added: “If something were to happen to the last few in the wild, they wouldn’t go completely extinct.”
Click here to sign up for our lifestyle newsletter
Mr Hughes explained that he wanted to hatch enough new Aracans to obtain a surplus and distribute it to other zoos to eliminate the risk of extinction.
This little turtle will soon be on display at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (SWNS)
The rare turtle will soon be revealed to aquarium visitors.
This species is known to live in mountainous evergreen forests and bamboo forests. According to the Turtle Survival Alliance, turtles typically feed on plants, bamboo flowers, and immature bamboo seeds.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Camouflaged with dark brown skin and a dark brown to tan carapace, this turtle blends seamlessly into the lush forest floor it traverses,” the organization said. “This turtle has been observed burrowing under leaves during the hottest hours of the day and is primarily active at night.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Tennessee Aquarium for additional comment and updates.
For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle..
