The last softshell turtle of the known male giant, Swinhoe, is no longer alone on the planet after the discovery of a female of its species in Vietnam.
The 86 kg (13 stones) female turtle was found in Dong Mo Lake in Hanoi’s Son Tay district and was captured for genetic testing in October.
DNA tests have now confirmed that the animal is a Swinhoe softshell turtle, (Rafetus swinhoei), the most endangered turtle in the world.
Another turtle weighing 130 kg has been spotted in the lake and conservationists hope it is another male.
The only known male Swinhoe softshell turtle is in the zoo in Suzhou, China. Scientists intend to ensure that turtles have a chance to breed and save species on the brink of extinction.
The animal, also known as the Hoan Kiem tortoise or Yangtze’s softshell giant tortoise, was taken to the edge of the chasm by hunting its meat and eggs, as well as destroying its habitat.
“This is the best news of the year, and possibly the last decade, for the global conservation of turtles,” said Andrew Walde, of the Turtle Survival Alliance, who advised the Vietnamese government on the conservation project.
Hoang Bich Thuy, national director of the Wildlife Conservation Society, said: “In a year filled with bad news and sadness around the world, the discovery of this female may offer everyone some hope that this species will have another chance to survive.”
Swinhoe’s softshell turtle received legal protection in Vietnam in 2013. “[Before] at that time, if one were caught, its meat was shared with the whole family, relatives and the neighborhood, ”said Hoang, adding that many of the turtles were also hunted to sell to China. “Their eggs were also collected and soaked in salt, as the local population believed that salted turtle eggs helped to cure diarrhea.”
Conservationists spent weeks looking for the female turtle in the 1,400-hectare Dong Mo lake. It is one meter long and has been captured for a day to allow for blood tests and samples. The team said she was healthy, strong – and looking forward to being at the lake again.
In the spring of 2021, the team hopes to capture the second, larger turtle, seen in the same lake, as that is when the water level is at its lowest. There may also be a turtle near Lake Xuan Khanh, as scientists have detected DNA in water samples.
The last known female before the discovery of Vietnam died in April 2019. She was paired with the male in Suzhou in 2008, but did not naturally produce children. Artificial insemination was attempted, but the female has not recovered from anesthesia, although similar anesthesia procedures have been performed safely.
Timothy McCormack, director of the Indo-Myanmar Conservation Asian Turtles Program, said: “Once we know the sex of the animals in Vietnam, we can make a clear plan for the next steps.”
A 2018 report concluded that turtles were among the most threatened of all major vertebrate groups, with more than 50% of the 356 species threatened or already extinct. The causes are habitat destruction, hunting for traditional food and medicines, illegal pet trade and pollution.
The first page of the report quotes the late WCS herpetologist John Behler: “Turtles have seen the great dinosaurs come and go and are now facing their own extinction crisis.”
Freshwater species have been hardest hit by human action, with the average population size falling 84% since 1970, partly due to the huge thirst for agriculture and the large number of dams.