Discovery Soft Shell Turtle: A Turtle Comes Back from Extinction

Rare Soft Shell Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), world's largest and least studied freshwater turtle, classified as Endangered on the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) Red List of Threatened Species (same status as tigers and pandas) observed in 2003, by scientists in the wild in Cambodia. In early 2007, these species were discovered in Cambodia Mekong River (Location former stronghold of the Khmer Roug guerrillas, 115 miles north of Phnom Penh.). During a survey in March, scientists from World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Conservation International (CI), the Cambodian Fisheries Administration and the Cambodian Turtle Conservation team captured
24.2 Soft Turtle female and eggs for observation. The team leader, Mark Bezuijen of WWF said: "it was found in a "near pristine region of tall riverine forest, waterways and island archipelagos." In May 8, 2007, the adult female turtle was released and hatchlings. Soft Turtles have rubbery skin, ribs fused together to form a protective layer over the internal organs, and powerful bite with jaws capable to crush bones. Unlike other types of turtles Soft Shell Turtle has no shell to protect it, and thus spends ninety percent of the time hidden in sand with only its eyes or nose showing. The species has long claws and capable to extend its neck and tongue fast, similar to the speed of a cobra snake, upon capturing prey to eat, including shrimp, fish or crab. The turtle could grow two meters (six feet) long and weight 50 kg (110 lbs). Once a year, female turtles lay small eggs on the riverbank.

Preventing Soft Turtle from permanent extinction, captured by illegal fishing for expensive delicacy in neighboring Vietnam, local community members (villagers) employed, protect the nesting beaches by conducting patrols. These communities offered a financial incentive, offset the potential loss of revenue from illegally trading Soft Turtles. However, their habitat is in peril of destruction from dams, irrigation and dredging. Also, Soft Turtles hunted for its meat in India, Bangladesh and Southeast Asia.

In early July 2007, another international survey team expected to return, update previous observations of the Soft Turtle population. The group of young conservationists mentored by Conservation International and funded by the British energy company BP.

David Emmett Conservation International wildlife biologist said: "We thought it might be almost gone, but found it in abundance in this one pristine stretch of the Mekong, making the area the world's most important site for saving this particular species".

Microchip technology may provide the key, save the endangered Soft Turtle and learn more about their habitat. In 2005, microchip implanted on a mangrove turtle (released two years earlier in Sre Ambel River ago by Cambodia's Fisheries Department) listed on Appendix one of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), discovered 33 pound turtle in a crate confiscated wildlife in Vietnam, intercepted before being shipped to China, were turtles are eaten or used in traditional medicine. Eventually, mangrove turtle was released back to its habitat.