World’s biggest star tortoise: Rare star tortoise preserving in Myanmar

The world’s biggest star tortoise at the age of about 21 years can be witnessed in the Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary in Nyaung-U Township of Mandalay Region. Myanmar star tortoises 42 (males) and 40 (females) were seized through illegal market in 2001.

Those seized star tortoises were kept with safety enclosure at the Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary. Among 82 star tortoises, one has recorded the biggest star tortoise in the world after 21 years. The star tortoises at Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary have their own individual number 146 and the estimated age is about 23 years by counting their lines appeared on their backs.

The star tortoises can live over 80 years. 10 year-old star tortoises can be recognized as the adult. The grown-up star tortoises were released to their native habitat- Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary in Magway Region and Mae Zar Taung in Natogyi Township, Myingyan District of Mandalay Region.   More than 1000 star tortoises were born in 2019 at Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary.