Riverview Park and Zoo has welcomed a critically endangered Sulawesi forest turtle hatchling, named Indy, on February 9. Indy is the fifth of this species to hatch at the zoo, marking a milestone in its conservation breeding program.
“The hatchling is under observation by our animal care team,” said Matt Dixon, Operational Support Manager, Animal Care. “Each successful hatch strengthens the population and builds knowledge that supports conservation. The zoo is the only facility in Canada working with this species and one of only a few worldwide to successfully reproduce it.”
Native to Indonesia, Sulawesi forest turtles are Critically Endangered, threatened by habitat loss and illegal collection for food and the wildlife trade. Riverview Park and Zoo has been involved in hatching these turtles in Canada since 2014 and has received national recognition for its conservation efforts.
The zoo continues to work with global zoological partners on breeding programs and conservation initiatives to protect this rare freshwater species.
