Ten captive-bred Asian giant tortoises (Manouria emys), one of the largest tortoise species in mainland Asia, were recently released in which national park of India?

Correct answer: (b) Ntangki National Park

Explanation

In 2022, ten captive-bred juvenile Asian giant tortoises (Manouria emys) were released in Ntangki National Park, a protected area in Nagaland. The Asian giant tortoise is listed in the IUCN Red List under the “Critically Endangered” category. Notably, the Nagaland Forest Department, along with the non-profit Turtle Survival Alliance and Wildlife Conservation Society, India, released the juveniles to help them adjust to wild habitats again and to improve the population. Before release, the animals were kept and bred for five years at the Nagaland Zoological Park, Dimapur. The giant Asian forest tortoise, Manouria emys (Family Testudinidae), is the largest tortoise species in mainland Asia; its straight carapace length (CL) can reach up to 600 mm and its weight can be about 37 kg.