Yangtze giant softshell turtles, one of the world’s largest freshwater species, are teetering on the brink of extinction. With only a handful of individuals left in the wild, conservationists are going to extraordinary lengths to save this ancient creature from disappearing forever. The presence of this species indicates the overall health of the river system it inhabits, and its limited presence in selective places like Dong Mo Lake in Vietnam and captive breeding programs such as the Suzhou Zoo and Changsha Ecological Zoo in China, underscores the urgency of the situation. Despite efforts to save the species through captive breeding programs, habitat restoration, and education and awareness campaigns, the future of the Yangtze giant softshell turtle remains uncertain.
What makes Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtles unique?
The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is a remarkable species with a distinctive appearance. Its grey, leathery shell is complemented by a long, protruding snout resembling a pig’s nose, featuring two tiny black nostrils at the end. The turtle’s small, beady eyes are set above its snout, while its neck is long, rubbery, and retractable, allowing it to reach up for air when it surfaces. Its webbed feet are equipped with three sharp claws, resembling miniature grappling hooks, which help it grip onto rocks and pull itself up onto riverbanks.
This incredible species can grow up to three feet in length and weigh up to 275 pounds! Females can lay over 50 eggs per clutch, and three to four clutches per year have been observed. The Yangtze giant softshell turtle’s diet consists of fish, crabs, snails, water hyacinth, frogs, and green rice leaves, and it prefers to stay submerged in deep water, occasionally coming up to breathe.
These turtles are culturally significant in China as a symbol of longevity and in Vietnam as a creature linked to a well-known folklore called Kim Qui. They are known for their elusiveness, spending most of their time hidden underwater and occasionally surfacing, and their virtually extinct status. Being present in remote and inaccessible areas, they are difficult to locate.
What are the main threats faced by Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtles?
Softshell turtles are particularly vulnerable in Asia as they are considered a delicacy and are hunted for food, and the Yangtze soft-shelled turtle is no exception. In addition, all aquatic turtles are at risk during nesting, as they, along with their eggs and hatchlings, are vulnerable to natural predators and human collection. Unfortunately, the nesting habitats of both freshwater and marine species have drastically shrunk due to human activities, forcing them to congregate closer to shore, which increases their exposure.
Moreover, breeding areas, such as sandbars, have become steep riverbanks, making it impossible for turtles to breed in the wild. Climate change has emerged as a new threat to turtles as well. Although the dry season is crucial for spawning, climate change may disrupt the spawning cycle by creating unsuitable conditions. Females will only lay their eggs in the three to four days around the full moon during those few months.
Andrew Walde of the Turtle Survival Alliance, an advocacy group based in Charleston, South Carolina, notes that freshwater turtles are especially vulnerable as they cannot disperse like marine turtles and are often targeted for food, traditional medicine, or the pet trade.
Pollution and habitat destruction are equally destructive!
The major threats to these turtles are hunting for meat and medicine, as well as pollution in their natural habitats and habitat destruction downstream following the construction of the Madushan Hydropower Dam in 2007. To address these threats towards the Yangtze giant softshell turtle, conservation efforts must focus on protecting its habitat, limiting hunting and collection, and monitoring the impact of climate change on its spawning cycle.
The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is a critically endangered species, and several conservation efforts have been made to protect this unique animal. The Turtle Survival Alliance has partnered with local Chinese conservation organizations to establish a breeding program for the turtles. This program includes the protection of nesting sites, the collection of eggs for artificial incubation, and the release of captive-bred turtles back into the wild. In addition, the Chinese government has established protected areas along the Yangtze River for the conservation of this species and other freshwater turtles. However, more efforts are needed to protect the remaining wild populations of this species.
How are Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtles being conserved?
Conservationists are making efforts to protect the Yangtze giant softshell turtle through various techniques. One approach involves collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) to locate more individuals in the wild. Additionally, the Turtle Survival Alliance has established a captive breeding program in partnership with the Suzhou Zoo in China. In 2015, four captive Yangtze giant softshell turtles were successfully bred in the program, marking a major breakthrough in the conservation of the species.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been instrumental in the conservation efforts of the Yangtze giant softshell turtle. WCS has supported the establishment of a conservation breeding program for the species housed in the Suzhou Zoo, which includes the use of artificial insemination. In 2008, WCS and the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) successfully conducted the first-ever artificial insemination of a Yangtze giant softshell turtle at the Suzhou Zoo. Since then, artificial insemination has been used several times with limited success.
WCS has also supported research efforts to better understand the ecology and biology of the species, which informs conservation strategies. Additionally, WCS has worked to reduce the threat of illegal hunting and trade of the turtles by training law enforcement officials and promoting public awareness about the importance of protecting the species.
The Role of Community Based Conservation
Local communities have also played a crucial role in the conservation of the Yangtze giant softshell turtle. In Vietnam, local communities have been involved in monitoring and protecting the breeding sites of the Yangtze turtle, as well as participating in education and outreach programs to raise awareness about the importance of conserving this species. The Nature Conservancy has been working with local fishermen in China to reduce turtle bycatch through the use of modified fishing gear.
Some communities have also established turtle farms to breed and release Yangtze turtles into the wild, in an effort to supplement the wild population. The involvement of local communities in these conservation efforts is essential for the long-term survival of the Yangtze turtle, as it ensures that conservation efforts are sustainable, and that local people have a vested interest in protecting the species and its habitat. Despite these efforts, the Yangtze giant softshell turtle remains critically endangered, and more conservation work is needed to protect the species and its habitat.
Conclusion
The fate of the Yangtze giant softshell turtle hangs in the balance, but conservationists are not giving up on this ancient and unique species. Through a combination of captive breeding, habitat protection, education, and research efforts, they are striving to prevent the turtle from disappearing forever. However, much more needs to be done to address the multiple threats facing the species and its ecosystem.
The conservation of the Yangtze giant softshell turtle is not only important for the survival of this remarkable animal but also for the health of the river system it inhabits and the well-being of the local communities that depend on it. Ultimately, the fate of the Yangtze giant softshell turtle is a test of our commitment to protect the natural world and its diversity, and a reminder of the urgent need for conservation action before it is too late.
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Written by: Amalendu Sasikumar Nair