Hollywood Actress on turtle rescue task

Thursday, 31 May 2012 

PRESS Release by

Nisha Kunju (Administrator & PRO : PAWS-Mumbai)

I was shocked to see it -- Sofia Hayat

Sofia observing the rescued turtle in plastic bag

Hollywood Actress Sofia Hayat, who is associated with animal welfare & rights NGO Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai as a Patron, was recently in Thane at Hiranandani area, while she spotted few boys taking a turtle in plastic transparent bag, I was shocked to see it. I stopped my car and have talk with those boys, I learned that they are taking it to keep it as pet at home, I convinced them and taken the turtle. Till that time I informed the PAWS-Mumbai Rescued team who reached the spot said Sofia.

 It’s a Red Eared Slider Turtle, which is not a native species of India, but it’s illegally sale in Indian pet markets. Due to which it is easily available to public who keep it as pet. There is many blind faith behind keeping it as a pet, few of the reason are Good Luck, Fengshui and Vastu. As it is not native species so we can’t release it in natural pond where our native species found, we are planning to send it to rehabilitation center said Sunish Subramanian of PAWS-Mumbai.

Red Eared Slider Turtle
enjoying the FREEDOM

About Red Eared Slider Turtle

Red-eared sliders are almost entirely aquatic, but leave the water to bask in the sun and lay eggs. These reptiles are deceptively fast and are also decent swimmers. They hunt for prey and will attempt to capture it when the opportunity presents itself. They are aware of predators and people, and generally shy away from them. The red-eared slider is known to frantically slide off rocks and logs when approached.

Contrary to the popular misconception, red-eared sliders do not have saliva. They, like most aquatic turtles, have fixed tongues, so they must eat their food in water.

If you come across any such incident or wildlife trade do call PAWS-Mumbai Helpline 9833480388 or E-mail at pawsmumbai@gmail.com, the name of informer will be kept confident. You can also inform about it to nearest Forest Office too.

Read the blind faith story behind keeping turtle as a pet visit : http://shuangxingfu.blogspot.in/2010/05/rearing-tortoises-for-good-feng-shui.html

For more information & detail please call 

Sunish Subramanian Kunju (Secretary : PAWS-Mumbai) on

PAWS-Mumbai helpline +91 9833480388 or Personal Cell +91 9892179542

More Photographs of Rescue

Sofia taking out turtle from the plastic bag

 Sofia observing turtle after taking out from the plastic bag

 Sofia taken out the turtle from the plastic bag and put it in backet

 Sofia observing the turtle after it was released 
in backet from the plastic bag

 Sofia observing the freedom of the turtle 

Helping hand ! Sofia with rescued Red Eared Slider Turtle

Sofia become the ANGLE for lovely creature