(Pictured above, one of the two last known Swinhoe’s softshell turtles (Rafetus swinhoei). This photo was taken in May of 2022 in Dong Mo Lake, Vietnam.) NEW YORK, January 15, 2025 – Scientists have developed and validated a, first-of-its-kind, portable environmental DNA (eDNA) test to help detect the world’s rarest turtle, the Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), which is teetering on the brink of extinction. Two of these turtles are curr...

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), in collaboration with Mandai Nature and the Fisheries Administration (FiA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), released 20 critically endangered Royal Turtles into the Sre Ambel River system in Koh Kong Province's Sre Ambel district.

The WCS Turtle Conservation Team recently collected 54 Royal Turtle eggs from four clutches deposited on an artificial sand bank beside a breeding pond at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center (KKRCC).

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) released incredible video footage showing hundreds of thousands of baby giant South American river turtles (Podocnemis expansa) recently emerging from nesting beaches along the Guaporé/Inténez River along the border of Brazil and Bolivia.

CITES CoP19 Parties agreed by consensus to a proposal to protect both matamata turtle species, Chelus fimbriata and Chelus orinocensis, whose populations are threatened as the turtles are prized by the pet trade. Final adoption in Plenary is expected by end of week.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) will livestream on Sept. 27, 28, and 29th (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) a great wonder of nature, from a river along the border between Brazil and Bolivia as thousands of giant South American river turtles (Podocnemis expansa) gather on sandbanks to lay hundreds of thousands of eggs.

A series of drone images taken by researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and partners may show the world’s most endangered turtle, Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei). The images were captured during aerial surveys on Dong Mo Lake some 30 miles west of Ha Noi. There are only three known individuals remaining of this giant freshwater turtle, which can weigh over 200 pounds. The images show a large round shape just under the surface of Dong Mo Lake. Ac...

To mark World Turtle Day on May 23, 2022, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in collaboration with Fisheries Administration celebrates the conservation of the Critically Endangered Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtles in Cambodia, by releasing 580 hatchlings into the wild​ along the Mekong River in Sambour district of Kratie province​.

The European Union (EU), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and the Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, today released 51 critically endangered Royal Turtles into the Sre Ambel River system in Chamkar Luong commune, Kampong Seila district of Preah Sihanouk Province.

Seventy-one Royal Turtle eggs in five clutches were laid on an artificial sand bank at the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center (KKRCC) early last week.