216 Rescued Indian Star Tortoises From Thane and Mumbai Released in Tadoba Tiger Reserve

A total of 216 rescued Indian Star Tortoises from Thane and Mumbai have been successfully rehabilitated in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve as part of a major wildlife conservation effort. The release officially marks the launch of Project STRIPES (Star Tortoise Repatriation Initiative Protecting Endangered Species), an initiative by the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW).

The project is dedicated to returning trafficked reptiles back into their natural habitats through a structured, scientific framework. Indian Star Tortoises are frequently seized and recovered from illegal wildlife trade networks across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Thane.

Pawan Sharma, founder of RAWW and honorary wildlife warden of the state forest department, stated that the initiative aims to address the recurring issue of star tortoises seized across the region by reintroducing them into the wild through periodic, scientifically managed rehabilitation exercises.

The relocation and rehabilitation operation was executed by a collaborative 10-member team comprising wildlife experts and personnel from RAWW and the Maharashtra Forest Department's Mumbai Range.

The entire mission took place under the guidance of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Maharashtra State. The execution of the exercise was closely supervised by the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Thane, alongside the Assistant Conservator of Forests, Thane, and the Range Forest Officer (Mumbai) from the Territorial Wing of the Forest Department.

Project STRIPES is expected to establish a continuous protocol for rehabilitating and releasing rescued star tortoises back into protected forest ecosystems in Maharashtra.