PEOPLE can come and see the world’s biggest star tortoise in Lawkananda Sanctuary in Bagan, Mandalay Region, said U Shwe Htay Aung, the warden of the Lawkananda Sanctuary in Bagan. The Department of Forest in Bagan, NyaungU Township, has been engaging in a captivebreeding programme with 82 star tortoises — 42 males and 40 females — to attempt to increase the population of this tortoise since 2001. The rare star tortoises, the only species in Myanmar, have been released back into their native places for the public and researchers to observe. One of the 84 tortoises caught in the illegal trade has been recorded as the biggest tortoise in the world in 2022. This biggest tortoise is numbered 146 and the approximate lifespan of her is estimated 22 years old by counting the lines that appear annually on the backs of tortoises, said U Shwe Htay Aung. The information of the world’s biggest star tortoise at Lawkananda Sanctuary is recorded in the diary. The number of the world’s biggest tortoise is 146. The back length of the tortoise is 47.8 centimetres and the back width is 32.7 centimetres. The chest length is 40 centimetres and the chest width is engaging in a captive-breeding programme with 82 star tortoises — 42 males and 40 females — to attempt to increase the population of this tortoise since 2001. 27 centimetres. Her weight is 18 kilogrammes and her height is 25.5 centimetres, U Shwe Htay Aung clarified. The adult star tortoises are released to their native towns such as Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary in Minbu/ Sagu township, Minbu district in Magway region and Minsonetaung, Natogyi township, Myingyan district in Mandalay region. In fact, Lawkananda Sanctuary is home to one of the largest tortoise farms in the world, with more than 1,000 tortoises breeding each year, which has also been dubbed the Star Tortoise Factory. Ko Htein (KPD)/GNLM