An Endangered Tortoise, “Elongated Tortoise” Spotted in Stung Treng

Phnom Penh, November 20, 2023—

An endangered tortoise, “Elongated Tortoise” (Indotestudo elongata), has been spotted in Seam Pang district, Stung Treng province.

The good news was shared late last week by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Morodok Baitang, adding that the tortoise was discovered by its conservative team in September 2023.

According to the source, the Elongated tortoise is a species of tortoise found in parts of south-east Asia. Elongated tortoises are omnivores. Their diet primarily includes plant matter such as leaves, fruits, mushrooms, and invertebrates.

Elongated tortoise spends much of their time resting in piles of leaf litter and rarely venture out into direct sunlight, so most of their activity occurs at dawn or dusk. They exhibit an increase in activity during the rainy season.

The Elongated tortoise is classified as critically endangered due to major population decline resulting from habitat loss and collecting for traditional medicines, the pet trade and food.