The black soft-shell turtle or Bostami turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) is a species of freshwater turtle found in India (Assam) and Bangladesh (Chittagong and Sylhet). It was long believed to be inbred individuals of the Indian softshell turtle (A. gangeticus or N. gangeticus) or the Indian peacock softshell turtle (A. hurum or N. hurum), but later found to be a distinct species.In the 1800s it was believed these turtles were brought from Iran to Chittagong shrine pond by Hazrat Bayezid Bostami. His turtles he had brought to this pond were treated as sacred and respected by the public. Previously declared extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2002, these turtles were found to still exist in a temple’s pond called the Hayagriva Madhava Temple located in Assam, India. Through conservation methods and protection of the species, some of these turtles can be found today throughout the wild, and scientists and environmental biologists are continuing to work hard to preserve this endangered species and their natural habitat.
Black softshell turtle
Questions and Answers
Q: What is the black soft-shell turtle or Bostami turtle?
A: The black soft-shell turtle or Bostami turtle is a freshwater turtle species found in India (Assam) and Bangladesh (Chittagong and Sylhet).
Q: What had the black soft-shell turtle been believed to be?
A: The black soft-shell turtle had been believed to be inbred individuals of the Indian softshell turtle (A. gangeticus or N. gangeticus) or the Indian peacock softshell turtle (A. hurum or N. hurum).
Q: Who brought the turtles to Chittagong shrine pond?
A: The turtles were brought to Chittagong shrine pond by Hazrat Bayezid Bostami from Iran.
Q: Why were the turtles he brought to Chittagong shrine pond treated as sacred and respected by the public?
A: The turtles Hazrat Bayezid Bostami brought to Chittagong shrine pond were treated as sacred and respected by the public due to religious significance.
Q: Where were the black soft-shell turtles found to still exist in 2002?
A: The black soft-shell turtles were found to still exist in a temple’s pond called the Hayagriva Madhava Temple located in Assam, India in 2002.
Q: Are black soft-shell turtles still found today in the wild?
A: Yes, the black soft-shell turtles can still be found today throughout the wild, thanks to conservation methods and protection of the species.
Q: What is being done to preserve the endangered black soft-shell turtle species and their natural habitat?
A: Scientists and environmental biologists are continuing to work hard to preserve the endangered black soft-shell turtle species and their natural habitat.