AGRA: A pair of recently hatched flapshell turtles was rescued by the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit from Shahkunj Colony , Mathura. The hatchlings were kept under observation for a few hours after which they were released in Keetham Lake.A distress call on Wildlife SOS 24 hour helpline (9917109666) alerted the organization’s rapid response unit to the presence of a pair of recently hatched turtle babies. Residents of Shahkunj Colony were digging up soil pits for plantation in the neighbourhood park, when they came across the two hatchlings. Worried about the safety of the newborn turtles, the concerned local immediately contacted Wildlife SOS for their assistance.A two-member rescue team was immediately dispatched to the location and upon arrival identified them to be Indian Flapshell turtles. They carefully transferred the two hatchlings into a safe transport container.Rohit Singh, the caller, said, “I called the Wildlife SOS team for help after coming across their helpline number online. The team was quick at responding to the situation and carried out the rescue operation efficiently.”Baiju Raj MV, director conservation projects for Wildlife SOS, said, “We are thankful to the residents who were concerned about the safety of these hatchlings. Turtles are essential to the ecosystem as they clean the water bodies by mainly feeding on plants that grow in water, small insects and even dead marine animals and fish.”Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder Wildlife SOS, said, “Flapshell turtles inhabit large canals, lakes, ponds, rivers and marshes, and they spend long periods in shallowly muddy banks. Incubation period of the eggs last between 250 to 310 days and the hatchlings mostly emerge during the rainy season.The two turtle hatchlings were kept in observation for a few hours after which they were released in Keetham Lake located in Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary.Mostly traded for their shell that is believed to have medicinal and healing properties, The Indian Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata) is listed under Schedule One of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and thereby is granted the same level of protection as the tiger.