Accidental sighting of invasive red-eared slider turtle from a dam in Kerala’s Idukki district raises a red flag

The red-eared slider turtle, which is banned in several countries, poses threat to other endemic local species

The accidental finding of a red-eared slider turtle recently from the Malankara dam in Idukki has raised concerns that the invasive species has reached the water bodies in the district, posing a threat to other endemic local species. The turtle is also known to be a carrier of human-infected bacteria such as salmonella, and countries such as the U.S. and Australia have imposed strict regulation on its trading and import. Though a favourite among pet lovers, it was first observed in private aquariums in the State.