Guwahati: Questions surrounding the rescue and subsequent release of an exotic red-eared slider turtle in the Digboi forest range of Tinsukia district have led wildlife conservationists to call for stronger scientific assessment and coordination with the Forest Department before rescued animals are returned to the wild.
Wildlife conservationist Devajit Moran raised the issue in a social media post on Sunday, stressing that rescue operations should be based on proper identification of the species, an understanding of its habitat and a clear assessment of whether intervention is necessary.
Moran said wildlife rescue should not be undertaken without first understanding the species involved, its ecological requirements and the circumstances that warrant human intervention.
The turtle identified in the case is the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), an aquatic species native to parts of the southern United States and northern Mexico. It is widely kept and traded as a pet and has established populations outside its natural range in several parts of the world.
Scientific records have also documented the species in Assam, including sightings from Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary and Ugratara Temple Pond in Guwahati. The species is therefore considered non-native to Assam.
Moran said red-eared sliders are recognised as a major invasive species and warned that releasing them into natural water bodies could affect native freshwater ecosystems. The turtle can potentially compete with indigenous turtle species and other aquatic fauna for food and habitat.
The species features on widely recognised lists of invasive alien species, while studies in India have highlighted its potential to establish populations and overlap with areas supporting diverse native turtle communities.
The issue is particularly relevant to Assam, where wetlands, rivers and other freshwater habitats provide important ecosystems for several native turtle species.
A 2023 scientific study also indicated that climate change could expand the areas of India suitable for red-eared sliders, including regions that support high turtle diversity. Researchers have separately recorded established populations of the species in urban wetlands in other parts of the country.
Moran also pointed to a possible public-health dimension. Turtles can carry Salmonella bacteria even when they show no signs of illness, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that contact with turtles or their surroundings can expose people to the bacteria. However, this risk is not specific to red-eared sliders.
Moran clarified that his concerns were not directed at any particular individual. Instead, he questioned whether the turtle was correctly identified and whether an ecological assessment and necessary coordination with the Forest Department took place before its release in the Digboi range.
He urged the Digboi Forest Department to examine its procedures for handling rescued wildlife and ensure that future rescues and releases follow appropriate scientific and departmental protocols.
The circumstances surrounding the reported rescue and release could not be independently confirmed through official Forest Department records at the time of reporting. It therefore remains unclear who authorised the release and whether all prescribed procedures were followed. These aspects require clarification from the concerned authorities.