Hope for Endangered Chinese Turtle
Zoos Help with Mating two Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtles
May 29, 2008
As far as biologists know, there are only four specimens of the Yangtze giant softshell turtle left on Earth—one in the wild and three in captivity.
Like most turtles, these animals live for a long time, and reproduce slowly. Of the three specimens in captivity of Rafetus swinhoei, also known as the Shanghai softshell turtle, there is only one male – a centenarian -- and it seems, only one female still capable of breeding at 80+ years.
Not only that, but they lived in different zoos in China, more than 600 miles apart!
In order to save this species from extinction, conservation partners from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), working in conjunction with partners from the two Chinese zoos and the China Zoo Society, recently brought two of them together in the hopes of breeding.
The Bronx Zoo-based WCS in New York,and the TSA, based at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas, coordinated the critically important move.
The TSA provided much of the funding, animal reproduction and technical expertise while WCS provided veterinary and logistical support and coordination with wildlife partners in China and New York.
"I hate to call this a desperation move, but it really was,” said Rick Hudson, TSA co-chair and Fort Worth Zoo conservation biologist.
“With only one female known worldwide, and given that we have lost three captive specimens over the past two years, what choice did we have? The risks related to moving her were certainly there, but doing nothing was much riskier."
Risky Last Chance for the Turtles
On Monday, May 5, 2008, turtle biologists, veterinarians, and zoo staff from partner organizations convened at the Changsha Zoo to collect and transport the 80-year-old female to the Suzhou Zoo 600 miles away where she joined her new mate to potentially save their entire species.
The move was coordinated to coincide with the female’s reproductive cycle.
The risks were high—relocating an animal this age can be highly stressful for it, and research shows that breeding attempts by males can become aggressive.
However, since the female arrived safely and is settling well into her new habitat at the Suzhou Zoo, the biologists are optimistic for breeding success
The Most Critically Endangered Turtle in the World
Listed at the top of the World Conservation Union’s Red List, the Yangtze giant softshell turtle is the most critically endangered turtle in the world.
Its status in the wild has long been recognized as grim, but the risk of extinction is now higher than ever. In the past two years, three other captive specimens have died without reproducing.
Biologists saw no other alternative but to save the species by any means necessary.
The turtles can measure over 100 cm in length and 70 cm in width and weigh approximately of 120-140 kilograms.
Their carapace can grow more than 50 cm in length and width. Their heads can measure over 20 cm in length and 10 cm in width.
Males are generally smaller than females and have longer, larger tails.
Much of the reptile’s demise has been attributed to land and water pollution and habitat alteration, as well as over-harvesting for Asian food markets, where turtle meat is regularly sold.
Their bones and shells are still used in traditional Chinese medicine, and the skulls are often kept as trophies.
“This is a story of hope for a species truly on the brink,” said Colin Poole, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Asia Programs, of the mating attempt.
“We are extremely grateful to our conservation partners both in China and here in the US who made this historic move possible. Now that the turtles are together, we are optimistic that they will successfully breed.”
See also: Turtles Show Health of Coastlines
Saving Biodiversity in Sarawak
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