Turtle crawls in busy Kamla market

A normal day at Kamla Market near Ghanta Ghar took an unexpected turn recently when an adult Indian flapshell turtle was spotted crawling through the crowded lanes, leaving shopkeepers and passersby bewildered.

The turtle’s appearance in the heart of one of Delhi’s busiest markets caused quite a stir. While some curious onlookers suggested releasing it into the Yamuna, one shopkeeper decided to take a more cautious and informed route. He called the Wildlife SOS 24×7 helpline and waited until help arrived—ensuring the animal’s safety amidst the chaos.

The Rapid Response Unit of Wildlife SOS reached the spot quickly and rescued the turtle before it could come to harm. The Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata), commonly found in parts of India, is increasingly vulnerable in cities due to rapid urbanisation and seasonal flooding that often displaces them from their natural habitats.

The rescued turtle was examined on site and found to be healthy. It was later released into a safe and ecologically suitable habitat—far from traffic and concrete.

Wildlife SOS co-founder and CEO Kartick Satyanarayan praised the shopkeeper’s actions. “This shopkeeper’s patience ensured the turtle’s safety, and that is the kind of citizen responsibility we deeply value,” he said, adding, “Rescues like these show how one small action—a phone call—can make all the difference.”

Co-founder and secretary Geeta Seshamani said incidents like this often go unnoticed in a fast-moving city like Delhi. “But moments like these remind us that compassion and awareness still exist on our streets, and they are making a real impact,” she said.

Suvidha Bhatnagar, Director of Communications at Wildlife SOS, highlighted the dangers of releasing rescued animals into unsuitable environments. “Indian flapshell turtles are often misunderstood and mishandled,” she said. “Not all water bodies are safe, especially in urban areas. It is vital to release rescued animals only in ecologically appropriate places, which is exactly what our team ensured here.”

Delhi