ahmedabad these starred beauties have become the latest road accident victims as theyre slowfooted and difficult to spot were talking about star tortoises named so because of the radiating star pattern on their shells theyre being killed on roads in suburban areas of kathwada in odhav hathijan in vatva gam shilaj and sg highway the reason their habitat gets flooded in the monsoon and these shy creatures are forced to venture outtheir habitat gets waterlogged forcing them to move out as they cant swim explains kankaria zoo superintendent rk sahu also star tortoises are most active in the monsoon when theyre seen wandering around even during the day as its mating season harmesh bhatt of asha foundation an ngo working for animals says after the rains started in the city we are getting seven to eight rescue calls per week involving star tortoises they are found straying on roads in suburban areas or have been run over by speeding vehicles in the night this species is already threatened as its natural habitat is being destroyed with agricultural areas becoming industrial zones pet trading and lack of forest management have worsened the situation for this endangered species laments bhattironically they have a long lifespan 35 years on land small in size theyre commonly known as suryamukhi kachuva popular with pet collectors theyre sold for around rs 900 in the citythe indian star tortoise is protected under endangered species act and its illegal either to possess or trade in them the species is becoming very vulnerable and regionally threatened a popular myth that keeping a tortoise at home will bring luck and money is not helping their cause says sahu the zoo has been a breeding centre for the species in a bid to conserve it there is a separate enclosure for them star tortoises mostly live in dry areas and are largely herbivorous eating grains fallen fruit grass and other green vegetation