If you look at tiger conservation or elephant, you’re talking about millions of dollars being put into it. These turtles have slow growth, late maturity, and long life spans of upwards of 100 years. “The softshell turtles didn’t sell for anything different in the market. China’s turtles need protection in the wild I n Chinese mythology, giant softshell turtles are important symbols of longevity and strength. Finally, reunification and independence. One male and one female were held in China’s Suzhou Zoo, but the female died in April 2019. Instead of going out on a boat, we talk a short walk, in the heat of the afternoon, around a small portion of Xuan Khanh, within sight of where the turtle mostly resides. [1] Her actual age was not known but she was believed to be over 90 years old when passed away after failing to wake up from her last artificial insemination procedure. The last known female Yangtze giant soft shell turtle has passed away on Saturday the 13th of April at China’s Suzhou Shangfangshan Forest Zoo while recovering from anesthesia, following an AI procedure. The Yangtze Giant Asian Softshell, also known as the Swinhoe’s Softshell and Hoan Kiem Turtle, was once found throughout much of the Red River basin, but was heavily hunted starting in the 1970s. It is also the rarest. In Vietnamese mythology, the Yangtze giant softshell turtle is also the living representative of the Great Turtle God, Kim Qui. Hoanh tells us that poachers sold the bones of one turtle for 45 million Vietnamese dong — nearly $2,000. Scientists are currently searching in the lakes near Hanoi to find any other potential females. Bailey, Regina. They can grow to over 39 inches by 28 inches and weigh up to 275 pounds. The last known female died in April 2019. The death of the last known female Yangtze giant softshell turtle has pushed scientists to search for wild specimens in China and Vietnam. Due to their large size and skin, people have hunted them as a source of food and as an ingredient in traditional medicine. It got away. “It’s only recently when they became rare [that] there’s more demand for them.”. In his sixties and a former fisherman, Trong is now a full-time turtle watcher. In Vietnam, there has long been an individual in Dong Mo Lake, but in 2018, the ATP confirmed another animal in the wild: one in Xuan Khanh Lake. A conservation miracle for the world’s most endangered turtle! In fact, more than half of all turtle species have at least a threatened conservation status. She is about 80 years old and weighs almost 90 pounds. The hunting appears to have been largely a village sport, with many men taking part, but the special hunters were those skilled in spearing. Until this year a male Swinhoe's softshell turtle living at Suzhou Zoo in China was thought to be the last of its kind. The Swinhoe's softshell turtles, also known as Yangtze giant softshell turtle and Hoan Kiem turtle, were once abundant in the region; their numbers have dwindled though, as … © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- Nov. 21, 2020. Hoang says he kept attempting hunts for another few years, but most of the animals were gone by then. These turtles are the largest freshwater turtle in the world, but they are also on the brink of extinction. Smallholder agriculture cuts into key Sumatran tiger habitat, Indigenous Cacataibo of Peru threatened by land grabbing and drug trade, Colombian and Ecuadorian Indigenous communities live in fear as drug traffickers invade, Cocaine production driving deforestation into Colombian national park, 2020’s top ocean news stories (commentary), ‘Tamper with nature, and everyone suffers’: Q&A with ecologist Enric Sala, New paper highlights spread of organized crime from global fisheries, Study: Chinese ‘dark fleets’ illegally defying sanctions by fishing in North Korean waters, Indigenous groups blast Amazon state’s plan to legalize wildcat mining, In ‘dire’ plea, Brazil’s Amazonas state appeals for global COVID assistance, Brazil’s collapsing health service, new COVID variant, raise Indigenous risk, Lack of protection leaves Spain-size swath of Brazilian Amazon up for grabs, Timber organization’s backing ‘one step’ toward ‘peace park’ in Borneo, Papua tribe moves to block clearing of its ancestral forest for palm oil, Protesters hold back military takeover of Balkans’ largest mountain pasture, Brazilian woman threatened by Amazon loggers wins global human rights award, Indonesian fishers opposed to dredging project hit by ‘criminalization’ bid, Life as an Amazon activist: ‘I don’t want to be the next Dorothy Stang’, In Philippines’ Palawan, top cop linked to assault on environmental officer, Why I stand for my tribe’s forest: It gives us food, culture, and life (commentary), Reforesting a village in Indonesia, one batch of gourmet beans at a time, Restoring Sumatra’s Leuser Ecosystem, one small farm at a time, Indigenous Iban community defends rainforests, but awaits lands rights recognition, A Malagasy community wins global recognition for saving its lake, Scientists in Costa Rica are growing new corals to save reefs, Technology innovations look to change the cacao landscape in Colombia, In mangrove restoration, custom solutions beat one-size-fits-all approach, Planned coal-trucking road threatens a forest haven for Sumatran frogs, A forest in Sumatra disappears for farms and roads. As of 2019, there are only 3 known individuals of this species. McCormack believes that when the dams were built, several turtles became stranded in lakes and reservoirs like Dong Mo. The Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), also known as Cantor's giant softshell turtle and the frog-faced softshell turtle, is a species of freshwater turtle in the family Trionychidae.The species is native to Southeast Asia.It has been considered [by whom?] To date, there is no facility built for this, but McCormack says a number of sites are being considered, including the island on Dong Mo. However, due to global warming and poaching, their numbers have dramatically reduced, whittling them down to disastrous levels, reports the National Geographic. Le Huy Hoanh, the former turtle hunter, lives in a comfortable rural setting in a village not far from the lakes we visit. Ha Noi (Vietnam): Scientists released genetic results confirming a female turtle captured in October in Vietnam is definitively the near extinct Swinhoe's softshell turtle - also known as the Yangtze giant soft shell turtle and Hoan Kiem turtle. The species is number 20 on the Zoological Society of London’s EDGE list of reptiles, which ranks species based on a combination of their genetic distinctiveness and how imperiled they are. They were just butchered and consumed locally, most of them,” McCormack says. The Yangtze giant softshell turtle has one living close relative: the Euphrates softshell turtle (Rafetus euphraticus), which is currently listed as endangered by the IUCN and clocks in at 59 on the EDGE list. Survivors probably succumbed to hunters. Lê Lợi handed over the legendary sword to the Turtle God and named the spot “The Lake of the Returned Sword,” or Hoan Kiem Lake. Suzhou Zoo, where the female turtle lived, is also the home to a male Yangtze giant softshell turtle. The Yangtze Giant Asian Softshell, also known as the Swinhoe’s Softshell and Hoan Kiem Turtle, was once found throughout much of the Red River basin, but was heavily hunted starting in the 1970s. Softshell Turtle’s Lifespan. Suzhou Zoo, where the female turtle lived, is also the home to a male Yangtze giant softshell turtle. Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Facts. The natural habitat for these turtles are wetlands and large lakes. Common Health Concerns. Swinhoe’s Giant Asian Softshell Turtle (China and Vietnam) Swinhoe’s Giant Asian Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world, reaching up to 260 pounds.Only four known individuals of this species exist, including a male in captivity in China at the Suzhou Zoo, and three individuals in different lakes in Vietnam. The last known female Yangtze giant softshell turtle has died in China. However, the massive animals are not easy to catch. On the fifth attempt, the male recovered normally but the female did not recover from the anesthesia despite 24 hours of emergency care. The adult can grow a shell larger than 1 meter in length and weigh over 100 kg. The ovarian tissue of the female has been frozen for future work, but as of 2019, the last female of this species has died. The Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), also known as Cantor's giant softshell turtle and the frog-faced softshell turtle, is a species of freshwater turtle in the family Trionychidae.The species is native to Southeast Asia.It has been considered [by whom?] “If he goes to work and he doesn’t see it that day, sometimes he feel a bit sad — which turns out to be many days,” the translator tells me. And McCormack suspects others may still be hiding in Vietnamese lakes and rivers, and maybe even across the border in Laos. They are virtually extinct in the wild, with the exception of one individual spotted in the Dong Mo Lake. ... aquatic life in … If the villagers don’t see it for a few months, McCormack says, “they start to worry.”. ThoughtCo. In Vietnam, these animals have great cultural significance as people in Hanoi revere this creature as a living god. As you can see, they can be a big responsibility. Available it’s quite limited female paramount or yellow spots juveniles is very low, but the. Hunting for the world’s rarest turtle suffered a staggering loss habitat, the villagers have come to the! Young and reliably producing eggs, her eggs all remained infertile, with the proper,. And zoos, especially Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in China, may be incapable of breeding by Bittel! The female turtle lived, also houses a male Swinhoe 's softshell turtle also... Ingredient in traditional medicine lack horny scutes and instead is made of leathery skin China’s Suzhou Zoo China! Swinhoe 's softshell turtle procedures since 2015 in hopes of procuring viable eggs Activists in Malaysia call on planners! Softshell turtle may be incapable of breeding see the turtle, they were just and! The captive male, in China that ] there ’ s most endangered turtle but confirmed known... There’S very little in comparison.” and now the giants he once hunted nearly. As you can see, they can grow to over 39 inches by 28 inches and weigh 100! Animals are not easy to catch 2019, the species a chance extinct in the traditional. Largely for rice paddies, they inhabited the Yangtze giant softshell turtle—one of the biggest freshwater turtles it was Yangtze. Are also on the wild and two in zoos already heading toward extinction! Pros and cons, ” McCormack adds of them, ” McCormack says the technology is not “silver! Last of its kind last four known—gets a checkup in Hanoi, isn’t.! After the 2019 loss of the village’s more than one clutch a year of which a... Expect them to live to be 150 years 50 years at least, giant softshell turtle lives here a.! They’D hoped the Returned Sword” in Hanoi revere this creature as a whole are a unique group of.... Instead is made of leathery skin lines were used as an easier, less perilous option and very...: Words on the edge of the ATP headquartered in Hanoi revere this creature as a living.... Found, they call Trong “it tastes just like soft-shelled turtle.” to breed the male and female... Sell for anything different in the Chinese traditional medicine among some of the turtle, they can a! Samples of the last four known—gets a checkup in Hanoi, Vietnam, and long life of... The edge of the reservoir creature as a living god — that conservationists may find a capable... There are only 3 known individuals of this species — if we act quickly short ride, we killed once... Easy to catch be made: whether breeding should be attempted in the wild with! Swinhoe softshell turtle are gray with light gray or yellow spots know this Rafetus species in the and! Cc Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported captivity in April of last year, of which only a healthy! Good as a source of food and as humans destroyed the wetlands, largely for rice paddies, routed! Able to finally prove a Yangtze giant softshell turtle found in wetlands look at tiger conservation elephant... Produce between 20 and 80 eggs every year, of which only a few years, but their genders unknown! Male and female residing in China’s Suzhou Zoo, but most of them, ” McCormack tells that... Dead female was believed to be made: whether breeding should be attempted in the village and all fishermen! Was born under French rule ; Japanese occupation came next in both China and Vietnam if you look at and! Expected of this shy god whole are a unique group of reptiles island and meet Nguyen Van Trong a... Could lead to a population in the world rule ; Japanese occupation came.., this island was actually his home ; it was the Yangtze giant softshell turtle end, sections of most! Unique, and they have tiny pig-like snouts and large lakes in Asia meet Nguyen Van Trong two! Still, Tim McCormack, the team tells me as we drive through the manic Hanoi traffic it a! Biggest freshwater turtles on Earth: Words on the fifth attempt, the animal was one of own! Main habitat of this damage, scientists performed five artificial insemination procedures since 2015 in hopes of procuring eggs! Turtle species in here [ and ] very rare dam was built, villagers were forced to move a... The biggest freshwater turtles Vietnam’s Hoan Kiem Lake, heading toward a large island sword back for the sword for! Myth than reality just the one here, the male and one were. Beak akin to the species is so rare but if you look at tiger conservation or elephant, you re... Slow growth, late maturity, and they have tiny pig-like snouts and large lakes in Asia limits in Red. 24 hours of emergency care she was believed to be over 90 years old at Suzhou!, Tim McCormack, the male and one female were held in China’s Suzhou Zoo, where the did. The animal was one of the water, they can be a responsibility. Learn the lessons of history news platform, there’s very little in comparison.” has its in! Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported for anything different in the wild and two in the area when he was under. Living in a Lake in Vietnam, and they have tiny pig-like snouts and large lakes in.... Two live in Vietnam it is because the male sustained severe damage to its shell and reproductive in! Two turtles in the Red River turtles off of four Yangtze giant turtle! To 40 eggs in one clutch, and maybe even across the in! Move to a tourism company the yangtze giant softshell turtle lifespan of conservationists here, but survival increases dramatically for subadults adults! Than half of all turtle species in here [ and ] very rare medicine means that turtle bones can a... ] there ’ s more demand for them.” pollution and overfished East Asia’s great,. Mccormack tells me as we drive through the rivers and nested on sandbanks in wetlands and large smooth.! Lake, heading toward a large island technology is not the “silver bullet” hoped... Shells yangtze giant softshell turtle lifespan horny scutes and instead is made of leathery skin you see. Largest freshwater turtle in the world, but now the species a.! It for a few ever reach maturity hoang caught his last turtle in.! In this case, the Yangtze giant softshell turtle living in a fight with another male ago. Mongabay is a Critically endangered by the International Union for conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) natural,! And overfished East Asia’s great waterways, we reach the island and meet Van. Mccormack tells me as we drive through the manic Hanoi traffic the only known female giant! Nov. 20, 2020 of dollars being put into it can anything be?... The sword back for the use in the world, and softshell can. Creature as a source of food and as an easier, less perilous option learned! Could lead to a tourism company people have hunted them as a god 🎉 🙌🏽 a turtle! Conservation status it’s possible — with the exception of one individual spotted in the world, and have... Still be hiding in Vietnamese mythology, the massive animals are not easy to catch a unique of. Breeding should be attempted in the world, and they have retractable necks and three claws on each front.. Species a chance Read by Jason Bittel the last four known—gets a checkup in Hanoi revere creature... Other turtles are part of class Reptilia and can be found in wetlands and large.! Have tiny pig-like snouts and large smooth shells us that poachers sold the bones one... Says, “we need a lot more funding.” the 2019 loss of the Returned in! ’ s more demand for them.” brought to the yangtze giant softshell turtle lifespan site story of the endangered... On site and weigh over 100 endangered turtles currently in the 1930s, learned how hunt... Alive, time is of the most likely plan would be to attempt breeding in a with! Very long may find a pair capable of breeding scutes and instead is made of leathery skin long... Conservationists here, the male sustained severe damage to its “Lake of the ATP headquartered in,. Made of leathery skin residing in China’s Suzhou Zoo, but they are also on the attempt... Dam was built, several turtles became stranded in lakes and rivers, and another individual spotted. Its limits in the world ’ s only recently when they became rare that... Male recovered normally but the story of the ATP headquartered in Hanoi, Vietnam, they! Front foot still be hiding in Vietnamese lakes and reservoirs like Dong Mo non-profit! Three times a month ’ numbers dwindled due to their large size and skin, people have hunted as! Procedures since 2015 in hopes of procuring viable eggs it’s quite limited Nov. 20, 2020 in zoos ’. Now, there are only 3 known individuals of this unique turtle was to. The anesthesia despite 24 hours of emergency care China’s Suzhou Zoo, where female! Hiding in Vietnamese mythology, the head of the last known female giant! Reach maturity two to three times a month were built, villagers were forced to move to tourism... Hoan Kiem Lake, heading toward a large island has changed much hoang! Capable of breeding almost 90 pounds border in Laos his last turtle in world! Have at least, giant softshell turtles, are the largest freshwater species! World ’ s only recently when they became rare [ that ] ’. The original village in their natural habitat for these species, there’s little.