Skip to content

Join us for Turtle Month!

Turtle Month 2025
  • Turtle Survival Center
  • Annual Symposium 2025
  • News & Events
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Turtle Survival Center
  • Annual Symposium 2025
  • News & Events
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • What We Do
  • What You Can do
Donate
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Staff & Board
    • Publications
    • Financials & Policies
    • Strategic Plan 2025
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Turtle Survival Center
    • Global Projects
    • Volunteer Science
    • Confiscation to Conservation
    • Annual Symposium 2025
    • News & Events
  • What You Can Do
    • Explore Turtles & Tortoises Around the World
    • Virtual Outreach Experience
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Drink Beer. Save Turtles.®
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Staff & Board
    • Publications
    • Financials & Policies
    • Strategic Plan 2025
    • Contact Us
  • What We Do
    • Turtle Survival Center
    • Global Projects
    • Volunteer Science
    • Confiscation to Conservation
    • Annual Symposium 2025
    • News & Events
  • What You Can Do
    • Explore Turtles & Tortoises Around the World
    • Virtual Outreach Experience
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Corporate Partnership
    • Drink Beer. Save Turtles.®
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Who We Are
  • Staff & Board
  • Publications
  • Financials & Policies
  • Strategic Plan 2025
  • Contact Us
  • Careers

Why Turtles?

Found around the world in rivers, deserts, jungles, and our own backyards, it’s easy to assume tortoises and freshwater turtles will always be here. But the very traits that once helped them survive render them vulnerable to extinction today.
Support Our Work

Our Initiatives

  • Turtle Survival Center
  • Global Projects
  • Volunteer Science
  • Confiscation to Conservation
  • Annual Symposium

Our Programs

Protecting the world’s most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles

We All Play a Role.

To save turtles, we all play a role. Every day, tortoises and freshwater turtles around the globe face pressing threats. Your support equips us to support species where and how they need us most.

Turtles are ancient and remarkable creatures who deserve a champion. When you stand with us, you help ensure their continued survival. Together, we can create a world with zero turtle extinctions.

Support Our Work

Learn & Discover

  • Explore Turtles & Tortoises Around the World
  • Virtual Outreach Experience

Make an Impact

  • Donate
  • Become a Member
  • Corporate Partnership
  • Drink Beer. Save Turtles®

News & Events

Species Spotlight: Arakan Forest Turtle

  • February 22, 2024

Meet the awesome Arakan Forest Turtle!

This Critically Endangered turtle is named for the Arakan Mountains of western Myanmar, and is also native to Bangladesh. Camouflaged by its dark brown skin and dark brown to tan carapace, this turtle seamlessly blends into the leafy forest floor it traverses. This turtle has been observed burrowing under leaves during the hottest parts of the day, and is largely active at night.

These turtles look similar to other species native to the same area, like young Asian Giant Tortoises, but have certain traits that set them apart, such as long, sharp claws that allow them to climb through rugged terrain.

Due to habitat destruction, collection for the pet trade, and lack of access to priority areas, this species was presumed extinct for decades, but in 1994, it was rediscovered in an Asian food market. Establishing assurance colonies and protected breeding facilities have increased its populations. 

Photo courtesy of Steven Ives.

Turtle Survival Alliance dedicated Myanmar’s first turtle and tortoise rescue facility in 2012. The Turtle Rescue Center (TRC) is located in May Myo along a major trade route from Mandalay to China for illegally harvested wildlife.

At the TRC, Arakan Forest Turtles confiscated from illegal trade have a place to stabilize and be treated for dehydration and any injuries they may have sustained during capture and transit, They’re then integrated into our collaborative assurance colonies for conservation breeding.

We also support the Turtle Conservation Center in Bhawal National Park, Bangladesh, where multiple Critically Endangered species of turtle and tortoise are bred to increase their numbers in the country and for introducing into the wild to bolster wild populations. This project is a collaborative effort of Creative Conservation Alliance, Turtle Survival Alliance, and Bangladesh Forest Department.

A new enclosure to house Arakan Forest Turtles, an endemic to western Myanmar, was completed in April 2011 at the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range in Gwa. In 2023, we hatched eight Arakan forest turtles between two assurance colonies here.

The species is also a part of our breeding program at the Turtle Survival Center.

Photo courtesy of Steven Ives.
  • Pictured: Arakan Forest Turtle (Heosemys depressa)
  • Countries of Origin: Bangladesh, Myanmar
  • Habitat: Mountainous evergreen and bamboo forests
  • Wild Population: Decreasing; habitat loss accounts for more than 80% of decline; individuals increasingly difficult to find
  • IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
  • Threats: Habitat destruction; collection for local consumption and foreign pet and meat trades

Header image courtesy of Alina Loth.

About Us
  • Who We Are
  • Staff & Board
  • Publications
  • Financials & Policies
  • Strategic Plan 2025
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
What We Do
  • Turtle Survival Center
  • Madagascar
  • NAFTRG
  • AZA SAFE
  • Annual Symposium 2025
What You Can Do
  • Explore Turtles & Tortoises
  • Virtual Outreach Experience
  • Become a Member
  • Drink Beer. Save Turtles.®
  • News & Events
Donate
Subscribe for Turtle Newsletter
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy

Subscribe for Turtle News

Subscribe to receive the Turtle Survival Alliance email newsletter and stay up-to-date on the latest in turtle conservation.