Conservationists Steadfast In Preventing Extinction of the Giant Yangtze Soft Shell Turtle
Steadfast efforts continue to prevent the extinction of the Giant Yangtze Soft Shell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), even with the news that the last known female of the species died on Saturday, April 13, 2019. The 90-year-old plus female turtle died during recovery from anesthesia after an artificial insemination procedure in Suzhou, China.
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) are committed to working with the Chinese and Vietnamese governments to use the best science and conservation tactics to ensure that the Giant Yangtze Soft Shell Turtle can thrive again in its native river and lake landscapes. TSA and WCS will be joined by their conservation partner in Asia, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS).
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In Vietnam, two individuals of unknown sex are known to be in separate lakes, and conservation partners are working with the Vietnamese government using a broad range of methods to locate potential additional animals in a number of lakes where they have possibly been spotted. If individuals of different sexes are confirmed, it is hoped that they will be brought together to propagate.
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Photo from USFWS.
