8 December: Chester, England: One of the world’s rarest turtles has hatched at Chester Zoo. 

The Chinese three-striped box turtle, a critically endangered species, emerged after an 85-day incubation period. 

Despite their name, Chinese three-striped box turtles are not only found in China but also in Vietnam, Hong Kong and areas of Laos and Myanmar. They are regarded by conservationists as one of the top 10 most threatened turtles on the planet.