"Conservationists here believe they have found a method to breed the critically endangered Burmese star tortoise, found only in the forests of Myanmar. According to the Myanmar Times, the hatching rate for the Burmese star tortoise was very low in the wild, while the rate was much better using the new method. Nyaung Oo Lawkanada Wildlife Sanctuary’s Burmese Star Tortoise Farm warden U Shwe Htay Aung said the hatching rate at the farm was 68 per cent compared with only five to 10 per cent in the wild. The Burmese star tortoise, scientifically known as Geochelone platynota, is a critically endangered species endemic to the dry zone in central Myanmar’s Mandalay, Magwe and Sagaing regions. “A total of 1,060 tortoises hatched from 2,289 eggs laid by 115 female tortoises in 2018 at the farm.” Aside from being a favourite prey of illegal wildlife traders because of their meat and shell, which is said to have medicinal value, the depletion of the species is also due to the destruction of its habitat by illegal logging and the conversion of forests to farmland. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified Burmese star tortoises as an endangered species and the government prohibits the hunting, transport and trading of the tortoise, favoured for its meat and shell. Burmese star tortoises can live up to 100 years and typically inhabit empty fields and bushes. Female adults generally get bigger than males, reaching 35cm in carapace length and start laying eggs at 6 years old in September and February..."