The critically endangered Palawan forest turtle has successfully hatched under human care, conservationists said on Sunday, raising hopes that its dwindling population can be reversed. Illegal wildlife trade and destruction of Palawan’s forests had diminished the population of the forest turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis) to at least 6,000 in the province as of 2015. “The recent breeding success is a true milestone in the conservation of this important species, and gives us hope that we can turn things around even for lesser known species in this region,” Dr. Sonja Luz of the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) said in an announcement.

Anda, R. (2018, July 16). Scientists hatch egg of rare Palawan turtle. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A6.