NEWS – Knowledge from local communities has resulted in the first-ever nesting evidence and discovery of a breeding population of Cantor’s giant softshell turtle in India

CANTOR’S GIANT SOFTSHELL TURTLE (PELOCHELYS CANTORII)

• One of the largest freshwater turtle species in the world
• Known for its large size. Adult turtles can have a carapace (upper shell) length ranging from 2 to 3.5 feet (60 to 105 cm)
• Named for its leathery and flexible shell, which lacks the hard scutes found in many other turtle species. The soft shell allows the turtle to move more easily in aquatic environments.
• The carapace is olive to dark green, and the skin is typically pale with dark spots or blotches
• Native to various river systems in Southeast Asia. Its range includes countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam
• Inhabit large rivers, lakes, and other freshwater bodies with sandy or muddy bottoms. They prefer slow-moving or stagnant water
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Critically endangered
  • CITES: Appendix II
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I