A rare species of turtle weighing about 10 kilograms was caught in a fishing net in the Kholpetua River at Gabura Union of Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira. The incident occurred on Friday when a local fisherman found the turtle trapped in his net and later kept it at his home. Following reports of the catch, local youths rescued the turtle on Saturday afternoon and handed it over to the Forest Department through members of the Community Patrolling Group.

The turtle was delivered to the Kolagachia Forest Station under the Satkhira Range of the West Sundarbans. Forest officer Saiful Islam confirmed that the turtle is now in the department’s custody and further action will be taken according to higher authorities’ instructions. He described the turtle as a rare species but said its exact classification could not be immediately confirmed.

Experts will determine the species after further examination, according to the Forest Department.