Endangered turtle discovered!
In India, a female Cantor's giant softshell turtle and her eggs have been documented for the first time.
AA
Wildlife conservation researchers in India's Kerala state have discovered a rare species of softshell turtle, the Cantor's giant softshell turtle.
This turtle species, native to South and Southeast Asia, is among the animals facing the threat of extinction.
Researchers from the University of Portsmouth identified this rare turtle on the banks of the Chandragiri River in Kerala.
The research resulted in the first-ever recording of a female Cantor's giant softshell turtle and her eggs; the eggs were subsequently released back into the river.
Dr. Francoise Cabada-Blanco from the University of Portsmouth's Department of Biology stated that the presence of this species has been a cause for concern for scientists and nature enthusiasts.
Cabada-Blanco said, "For years, the presence of the Cantor's giant softshell turtle was almost a forgotten subject among India's rich biodiversity, and it was rarely seen. The turtle's presence seemed almost like a ghost from the past."
Researchers followed a different strategy to find the Cantor's giant softshell turtle's nest after failing with traditional methods. Cabada-Blanco noted that they also benefited from the knowledge and experience of the local people during the discovery process.
Cantor's giant softshell turtles, which live in freshwater, are known to reach at least one meter in length and weigh 100 kilograms.