"Secretive" rare turtle found by Portsmouth conservationists in India as habitat destruction hurts species

A team of conservationists led by the University of Portsmouth used knowledge from local communities to uncover the nesting site of the “secretive” Cantor’s giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) which is native to the rivers of south and southeast Asia. The freshwater turtle is classified as critically endangered (CR) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list of threatened species with its numbers still decreasing.

But now the team has tracked the elusive turtle to the banks of the Chandragiri River in Kerala in southern India. A University of Portsmouth spokesman said: “Known for its rarity and secretive nature, this species has long been a subject of fascination and concern among conservationists. “Habitat destruction has made it disappear from much of its environment. They are also heavily harvested by locals for meat and are often killed by fishermen when caught in fishing gear.

“By talking to local villagers, the group were able to systematically document sightings of the turtle and engaged communities in conservation efforts. This work led to the first documentation of a female nesting, and the rescue of eggs from flooded nests. The hatchlings were later released into the river.”