Two Yangtze giant soft-shell turtles left… will China do anything?
December 4th, 2007
Months ago I mentioned the extinction of the Baiji — a freshwater dolphin in China.
The same thing is happening now with the Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei).
“So many species are neglected,” said Ms. Lu, who also heads the China affiliate of Conservation International. “Look at the baiji. The extinction was announced and what has been done? Nothing. People felt pity.”
Then, alluding to the Yangtze giant soft-shell, also known as the Rafetus swinhoei, she added:
“This turtle will be next.”
There are only two known specimens left, both at separate zoos in the wild. They just happen to both be male and female.
Earlier this year, scientists concluded that she is the planet’s last known female Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle. She is about 80 years old and weighs almost 90 pounds. As it happens, the planet also has only one undisputed, known male. He lives at a zoo in the city of Suzhou. He is 100 years old and weighs about 200 pounds. They are the last hope of saving a species believed to be the largest freshwater turtles in the world.
Come on China! Get moving on this one!
So far, the ministry has agreed to provide 200,000 yuan, or about $27,000, though none of the money has arrived. Asked for an interview in October, the ministry declined. But ministry officials subsequently contacted the zoos and convinced them to sign a new deal.
It was decided that the Changsha turtle will be transported to Suzhou next year. A special breeding pool is supposed to be built. First, scientists will try artificial insemination. If that fails, the two elderly turtles will give it a go the old-fashioned way.
The fate of a species hangs in the balance.
Twenty-seven thousand dollars to save a species? That’s depressing.
At the very least, we can do something. Consider giving a few bucks to the Turtle Survival Alliance. These are the guys funding this mission! Please donate!
Oh and the NY Times article has great video of the turtle.
Related posts: Tiny, big-eared, hopping mammal caught on film... the jerboa!, Animal smuggling, Australia vs China, The Baiji dolphin is dead; Long live our polluted waterways
4 Comments Add your own
1. Bert Prendergast | January 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
“When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again.” William Beebe.
2. Gabriel | April 11th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
hm… this is an interesting story, and I first want to thank you for giving the information I can use very actively. It is very depressing that only two of this specie is left and also that Chinese government is not giving in the money for saving this specie. I started to live in China few years ago, so I know what kind of Environment these species would be in. You can believe in government, but never can with the time. I just hope this specie will be alive until the project of breeding is done…
3. Kyanna | May 20th, 2008 at 9:19 am
i love cats and love the wildlife and i love EVERYTHING!!
4. Louie | June 1st, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I’m from Hong Kong, China. Just read the newspaper (it’s in Chinese) that the breeding program has begun.
What’s more? There’re two male specimens left in Vietnam. Don’t know if they’ll transport these two males to China and let them breed with the only female. If it happens, it’s a good news that it could extend the diversity of this species’ gene pool.
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