The Snake Neck Tortoise (Chelodina Mccordi), which has been living in its original habitat in Rote Ndao District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), is declared extinct.

Head of Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) NTT Province Tamen Sitorus said the extinction of the animals was due to damaged habitat conditions and also due to human disruption.

According to Sitorus, the extinction of the tortoise has been going on for a long time. The government through the Ministry of Forestry, in the year 2011, has tried to bring about 50 tortoise to Rote Regency, but finally no longer found the existence of the animals.

"The native habitat of the snake head turtle is located in four small lakes in Rote Ndao regency, in 2016, we did a survey but did not find the animal because it was extinct,Extinction of the tortoise is also because the four lakes are owned by the citizens and not in the conservation area so that supervision was limited.

Sitorus explained, the turtle neck snake or also called a long neck tortoise because the neck and his head resembles a snake. These animals are small, snake-like heads, and carapace sides (curves) are curved upward.

"Currently, we are working with non-governmental organizations to bring the animals back into their natural habitat," he said.

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@princetitan