December 10, 2025

CONTACT: Jordan Gray, Turtle Survival Alliance, (912) 659-0978, jgray@turtlesurvival.org

• Twenty Red-footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius), a species listed as Endangered (in press) on the IUCN Red List, were reintroduced into La Carranchina Nature Reserve in Sucre, Colombia.
• The initiative, led by the regional environmental authority CORPOMOJANA with support from Wildlife Conservation Society Colombia and Turtle Survival Alliance, represents the first scientifically formulated rewilding of the species in Colombia.
• The project follows protocols outlined in the Post-confiscation Management, Rehabilitation, and Release Protocol for Freshwater Turtles, currently being developed with Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and regional authorities.

North Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America – Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) today announced the reintroduction of twenty Red-footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius) into La Carranchina Nature Reserve (LCNR) in Sucre, Colombia. This milestone effort, led by Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible de La Mojana y el San Jorge (CORPOMOJANA) and supported by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Colombia and TSA, marks the first scientifically guided rewilding of the species in the country.

Andrew Walde, Senior Director of Conservation and Science for TSA, said: “Red-footed Tortoises were once common across northern Colombia, but habitat destruction and overcollection have caused local populations to dramatically decline. This reintroduction demonstrates how targeted, science-based collaboration can give a species a second chance. From careful health and genetic assessments to ongoing monitoring and habitat management, we can help return a species to its native landscape and chart a path toward recovery.”

The Red-footed Tortoise is listed as Endangered (in press) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and its international trade is regulated under Appendix II of CITES. While the species’ range extends from Panama in Central America eastward to the Atlantic coast of Brazil and south to northern Argentina, populations have declined due to habitat destruction and fragmentation, overcollection for food and the pet trade, and subsistence hunting. Red-footed Tortoises forage on a wide array of plant matter, particularly fruits, which helps disperse seeds and maintain ecological processes in forests and transitional habitats between forest and savanna. In Colombia, the species is considered to comprise two distinct genetic lineages, which should be treated as separate management units for conservation purposes.

“Rewilding Red-footed Tortoises provides a unique opportunity to recover the species and its role in maintaining healthy forest-savanna ecosystems in northern Colombia,” said Germán Forero-Medina, Science and Conservation Director of WCS Colombia.

Marjorie Pinzón Arias, Lead Turtle Researcher at WCS Colombia, added: “This initiative is not only about returning Red-footed Tortoises to the wild, but also about strengthening coordinated efforts for wildlife management in the region.”

The tortoises were released into a 0.1 hectare (~1/4 acre) soft-release pens encompassing forest, savanna, and wetland habitats, allowing them to gradually adapt to their new environment while helping to instill site fidelity. Each animal was carefully assessed for health, genetics, and behavior prior to release, following best practices for rewilding.

CORPOMOJANA, the regional environmental authority for seven municipalities in southern Sucre, played a key role in facilitating the project, demonstrating the importance of coordinated conservation strategies with government partners.

La Carranchina Natural Reserve itself has been a major focus of restoration and conservation efforts. In 2019, TSA, Rainforest Trust (RFT), and WCS acquired a 120-hectare (~297-acre) parcel in San Benito Abad, Sucre, for the creation of the reserve. Since 2020, intensive restoration has targeted upland and riparian vegetation, rehabilitated existing wetlands, and created new wetlands to return the reserve to its natural state. In 2024, WCS acquired an additional 100 hectares (~247 acres), nearly doubling the reserve’s size. That same year, the Reserve was designated a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), thanks to collaboration among WCS, TSA, RFT, the Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute, and guidance from the KBA Regional Focal Point for Latin America.

This rewilding initiative exemplifies how careful planning, science-based guidance, and collaboration between NGOs and local authorities can restore species and ecological functions to degraded habitats. TSA continues to support monitoring, health assessments, and long-term management to ensure the success of the reintroduced population.

All photos courtesy of WCS Colombia

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About Turtle Survival Alliance

Formed in 2001 and gaining nonprofit status in 2004, Turtle Survival Alliance is a global conservation organization with a mission to protect and restore wild populations of tortoises and freshwater turtles through science-based conservation, global leadership, and local stewardship. Our science-based initiatives are directed by local leaders, inspiring sustainable, community-based stewardship to prevent extinctions. Where populations cannot yet thrive in the wild, our conservation breeding programs preserve opportunities for their future survival. Turtle Survival Alliance operates or supports projects in 30 countries around the world, protecting critical habitats and providing on-the-ground resources to safeguard the most imperiled turtle and tortoise species. Through these efforts, we make a positive impact on well over 100 species of turtles and tortoises. For more information, visit us on our website and join the conversation and learning experience on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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December 5, 2025

CONTACT: Jordan Gray, Turtle Survival Alliance, (912) 659-0978, jgray@turtlesurvival.org

• 680 Southern River Terrapins (Batagur affinis) were released during the ceremony, with an additional 692 hatchlings later returned to the Kemaman River, marking the largest single release of this critically endangered species to date.
• The release was made possible through collaboration between the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia, PERHILITAN, and local community groups, alongside educational activities promoting conservation awareness in Pasir Gajah Village.
• With fewer than 1,000 mature individuals remaining in the wild across its range, these releases contribute directly to species recovery and the long-term survival of the Southern River Terrapin.

North Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America – Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) today announced the milestone release of 680 Southern River Terrapins (Batagur affinis) by the TSA-supported Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia (TCS). Coordinated to commemorate Malaysia’s 68th National Day celebration, the event represents the single largest release of this critically endangered species since the inception of the Kemaman River Terrapin Conservation Project in Terengganu, Malaysia.

“This year, we collected 1,825 river terrapin eggs for incubation, compared to 1,506 eggs last year. This increase is due to stronger enforcement by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN) officers, with support from the local community group known as the Terrapin Guardians of Pasir Gajah Village, who work tirelessly to collect terrapin eggs from four nesting banks along the Kemaman River. Of these, 1,372 hatchlings successfully emerged and were raised for four months before release,” said Dr. Pelf-Nyok Chen, Co-founder and Executive Director of TCS.

While 680 hatchlings were released during the ceremony, the remaining 692 were later returned to the river to continue their journey in the wild.

The Southern River Terrapin is native to Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam; however, it has been extirpated from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Populations have drastically declined due to overcollection of adults and eggs for consumption, habitat destruction, sand mining, and the construction of hydropower dams. The remaining populations are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are estimated to comprise fewer than 1,000 mature individuals in total. Peninsular Malaysia is considered the species’ stronghold, where it is protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716). Within Peninsular Malaysia, the terrapin is native to the states of Kedah, Perak, Terengganu, and Pahang.

This year’s release event also featured community-focused conservation activities organized by TCS, the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) of Pasir Gajah, and the Pasir Gajah Neighborhood Watch (KRT), alongside awareness exhibitions led by Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Semenanjung (PERHILITAN; Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia) and partnering institutions.

“This milestone release demonstrates what is possible when dedicated partners, committed agencies, and passionate individuals come together with a shared vision for species recovery,” said Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, President & CEO, Turtle Survival Alliance. “Saving a critically endangered turtle requires not only science and long-term planning, but also the relentless efforts of on-the-ground champions like Pelf-Nyok Chen and her team, who refuse to let this species disappear. We are incredibly proud of TCS and its partners for their unwavering commitment to giving Southern River Terrapins a future in the wild.”

Officiating the event, Y.M. Dato’ Tengku Ahmad Nadzri bin Tengku Musa, General Manager of Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah (KETENGAH; Central Terengganu Development Authority), praised the achievements of the Kemaman River Terrapin Conservation Project and reaffirmed KETENGAH’s commitment to its growth. He announced that KETENGAH has allocated RM200,000 ($48,000 USD) to upgrade the TCS’s Terrapin Conservation Center in Kg. Pasir Gajah under Projek Bersepadu Pembangunan Ekonomi Kampung (PROSPEK), ensuring enhanced capacity for long-term conservation success. Representatives from Yinson Holdings Berhad also presented a RM12,000 ($2,880 USD) contribution to support TCS’s ongoing terrapin conservation efforts.

The Kemaman River Terrapin Conservation Project, initiated in 2011, is a collaborative effort between TCS, PERHILITAN, and the community of Kg. Pasir Gajah. To date, 11,551 eggs have been incubated, and more than 7,000 terrapins have been successfully released into the Kemaman River.

All photos courtesy of TCS Malaysia

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About Turtle Survival Alliance

Formed in 2001 and gaining nonprofit status in 2004, Turtle Survival Alliance is a global conservation organization with a mission to protect and restore wild populations of tortoises and freshwater turtles through science-based conservation, global leadership, and local stewardship. Our science-based initiatives are directed by local leaders, inspiring sustainable, community-based stewardship to prevent extinctions. Where populations cannot yet thrive in the wild, our conservation breeding programs preserve opportunities for their future survival. Turtle Survival Alliance operates or supports projects in 30 countries around the world, protecting critical habitats and providing on-the-ground resources to safeguard the most imperiled turtle and tortoise species. Through these efforts, we make a positive impact on well over 100 species of turtles and tortoises. For more information, visit us on our website and join the conversation and learning experience on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

The post Largest-Ever Release of Southern River Terrapins Marks Milestone for Conservation in Malaysia appeared first on Turtle Survival Alliance.

CONTACT: Suzanne MacDonald, Turtle Survival Alliance Canada, (416) 540-4606, turtlesurvivalalliancecanada@gmail.com

Toronto, ON — November 21, 2025 — A new Canadian charity, Turtle Survival Alliance Canada (TSAC), has been established to secure a future for some of the world’s most threatened turtles. Governed by an independent Canadian Board of Directors, TSAC offers a dedicated means for Canadian donors to support turtle conservation worldwide, working in collaboration with respected conservation partners, including the global nonprofit Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA).

TSAC’s charitable purpose is to protect the environment for the benefit of the public by conserving and restoring ecosystems and saving, supporting, protecting, and assisting at-risk and endangered turtles and their habitats—both in the wild (“in situ”) and in specialized facilities (“ex situ”). “At its heart, TSAC is about connecting Canadian generosity with effective turtle conservation projects around the world,” said Dr. Suzanne MacDonald, Board Chair, Turtle Survival Alliance Canada.

Currently, TSAC’s primary focus is on overseas conservation programs guided by science and informed by resources such as the IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to identify and support turtle species at most significant risk. Initial funding priorities include projects such as:

• Protecting critically endangered Radiated Tortoises (Astrochelys radiata) in Madagascar from illegal trade through rescue, rehabilitation, secure housing, and eventual release into protected areas;
• Supporting recovery of the Central American River Turtle (Dermatemys mawii), also known as “hicatee,” in Belize by enhancing veterinary care, nutrition, and habitat management at the Hicatee Conservation and Research Center; 
• Advancing conservation of Southeast Asian freshwater turtles, including work on Southern River Terrapins (Batagur affinis) and Southeast Asian Box Turtles (Cuora couro), through genetics, reproductive research, and improved breeding programs to strengthen wild reintroduction efforts;
• Helping maintain assurance colonies of highly endangered turtle species at specialized facilities such as the Turtle Survival Center in South Carolina.

For more information or to support Turtle Survival Alliance Canada, please visit turtlesurvival.ca.

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Today is the final #TurtleTuesday of our Hicatee Month celebration—meet the Atlantic Red-cheeked Mud Turtle (Kinosternon cruentatum)!

This species was formerly classified as a subspecies of Scorpion Mud Turtle. But, in 2024, research revealed that it was its own species. There is another species that bears the name Scorpion Mud Turtle (Kinosternon scorpiodes), but the 2024 reclassification redefined its range to South America and Panama. Reclassification happens when new research, such as DNA testing, shows that a species is more, or less, distinct than scientists once thought.

The new common name of the Atlantic Red-cheeked Mud Turtle reflects the distinct physical traits of their red-patterned faces, and their range restricted to the eastern side of the main mountain range running through Central America. This turtle resides in small streams, oxbows, marshes, and ponds, and feasts on fruit, seeds, algae, fish, shrimp, and even frogs. 

Threats to this species include habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation, particularly for agriculture and livestock operations, as well as collection for local consumption and the pet trade, and fires. By spreading awareness about the challenges this turtle—and others like it—face, and by protecting natural habitats, we can help ensure their survival.

Header image by Jay Ballard

The post Hicatee Awareness Month Species Spotlight: Atlantic Red-cheeked Mud Turtle appeared first on Turtle Survival Alliance.

On this special Turtle Tuesday, which also happens to be National Reptile Awareness Day, meet the White-lipped Mud Turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum leucostomum)!

This aptly named turtle gets its name from its distinctive cream-colored beak. Found throughout parts of Central and northern South America, it prefers habitats near creeks, rivers, puddles, and swamps—perfect spots to hunt for prey like fish, crayfish, tadpoles, and mollusks. In addition to animal prey, White-lipped Mud Turtles also feed on plants such as ficus shoots and flowers.

The greatest threats to this species include habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation, as well as collection for local consumption and the pet trade. By spreading awareness about the challenges this turtle—and others like it—face, and by protecting natural habitats, we can help ensure their survival.

Celebrate Hicatee Awareness Month with us by following us across our social platforms, following BFREE, and downloading the coloring book to learn more about Belize’s imperiled species.

Header image by Jay Ballard

The post Hicatee Awareness Month Species Spotlight: White-lipped Mud Turtle appeared first on Turtle Survival Alliance.

We at Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) immediately mobilized to provide logistical, veterinary, and financial support to our partner in Mexico, Guadalajara Zoo. The effort has been intense, with the zoo’s teams triaging, stabilizing, and providing top-quality care while carefully organizing the turtles by species. Space is limited, but with support from donors around the world, additional housing is on the way.

TSA’s Senior Director of Conservation and Science, Andrew Walde, who is currently on site, reports that the turtles display a range of conditions. Some are alert and engaging in natural behaviors, such as exploring their bins and interacting with bin mates, signs of cautious optimism. Unfortunately, there continues to be sick, weak, or stressed animals, and some further mortality is expected given the conditions in which they were held by traffickers. Species such as the Alamos Mud Turtle (Kinosternon alamosae) have suffered higher losses, making disease testing and careful quarantine a top priority. The team is meticulously avoiding cross-contamination, critical for the long-term recovery of these animals.

The global response to this crisis has been inspiring. To date, 127 individuals and organizations have generously contributed funding to assist the effort. In particular, the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) has pledged $10,000 USD. “We at the DZS are very grateful to the entire TSA team and the Guadalajara Zoo for stepping up to assist and lead during this crisis,” said David Dimitrie, Director of Conservation. “We value all the hard work of TSA as we continue to strengthen our commitment to both turtle conservation and combating the illegal wildlife trafficking crisis.”

The Guadalajara Zoo continues to methodically clean and organize the turtles, placing high-value and smaller individuals in appropriately-sized bins in limited numbers, while allocating larger species to the remaining suitable spaces. Every detail, from feeding to providing hiding spots, is addressed to give these turtles the best chance at survival. Additional materials are being sourced to create safe shelters, and every team member is focused on stabilizing as many animals as possible.

This seizure is a sobering reminder of the threats wild turtles face, but it also highlights the extraordinary efforts of conservationists, veterinarians, and institutions who step up in times of crisis. The collaboration between TSA, the Guadalajara Zoo, and supportive individuals and organizations, like DZS, offers hope that these turtles can survive, contribute to assurance colonies, and eventually return to wild populations.

We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops and more turtles are stabilized.

Header image: Vallarta Mud Turtles (Kinosternon vogti). All photos by Andrew Walde

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Please consider making a donation today. Every dollar helps provide urgent medical care, disease testing, and long-term care for these rescued turtles.

The post Update from Mexico: Conservationists Mobilize to Save Survivors appeared first on Turtle Survival Alliance.

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on the Tabasco Mud Turtle!

The Tabasco Mud Turtle (Kinosternon acutum) is found throughout parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. It gets its name from where it can be found in Mexico: Veracruz and Tabasco. This turtle prefers a semi-terrestrial habitat rich in earthworms, insects, snails, and larvae—all essential components of its diet. We support BFREE in conducting on-the-ground surveys to monitor the species’ population status.

The Tabasco Mud Turtle is listed as Near Threatened due to habitat destruction and fragmentation, particularly from agriculture and livestock operations. Raising awareness about the challenges this turtle faces and the importance of preserving natural habitats contributes to its survival.

Celebrate Hicatee Awareness Month with us by following us across our social platforms, following BFREE, and downloading the coloring book to learn more about Belize’s imperiled species.

Header image by Jay Ballard.

The post Hicatee Awareness Month Species Spotlight: Tabasco Mud Turtle appeared first on Turtle Survival Alliance.

Over 2,000 Wild Turtles Seized in Mexico; Conservationists Race to Save Survivors

October 10, 2025

CONTACT: Jordan Gray, Turtle Survival Alliance, (912) 659-0978, jgray@turtlesurvival.org

• Over 2,000 wild-caught turtles, including critically endangered Vallarta Mud Turtles, were seized in Jalisco, Mexico. Surviving turtles are now under intensive care at Zoológico Guadalajara, receiving emergency veterinary treatment, quarantine, and monitoring.
• The turtles were part of an organized trafficking network targeting international markets. Authorities have prosecuted three individuals, highlighting the scale and impact of wildlife trafficking on threatened species.
• With fewer than 400 Vallarta Mud Turtles remaining in the wild, rapid disease screenings and ongoing care are crucial. The rescue contributes to assurance colonies and long-term recovery, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation action in Mexico.
• Turtle Survival Alliance is mobilizing resources to support Zoológico Guadalajara with disease testing, treatment, and care for the seized turtles.

North Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America – The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) today announced that authorities in Jalisco, Mexico, uncovered more than 2,000 wild-caught turtles hidden among sea cucumbers, shark fins, and other wildlife contraband. The turtles represent six species of mud turtle and one species of box turtle native to Mexico, including dozens of critically endangered Vallarta Mud Turtles (Kinosternon vogti)—the most imperiled turtle species in the Western Hemisphere. Hundreds of turtles from the confiscation have already perished.

These species span five levels of conservation status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, ranging from Least Concern to Critically Endangered. All trade in these turtles is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with two species strictly prohibited from trade under Appendix I. All of them, however, play a vital role in Mexico’s extraordinary biodiversity—home to the second-highest turtle and tortoise species richness in the world.

“With fewer than 400 Vallarta Mud Turtles left in the wild, this rescue represents a crisis and a pivotal moment for conservation. By quickly identifying and treating disease, we can give each surviving turtle the best chance to contribute to assurance colonies and, ultimately, repatriation efforts,” said Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, President & CEO of TSA.

The surviving turtles are now under the care of TSA’s partner institution in Mexico, Zoológico Guadalajara. Veterinary and animal care specialists are working around the clock to stabilize, assess, and treat the animals, providing emergency care and monitoring to give each one the best chance of survival.

On September 26, Mexican authorities—PROFEPA (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) and SEMARNAT (Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources)—contacted Zoológico Guadalajara to provide immediate shelter for the confiscated turtles after a major enforcement operation. At the zoo, veterinarians, biologists, and animal care staff activated emergency protocols to stabilize and assess each animal. The zoo continues to work closely with federal authorities to provide medical care, biosecure quarantine, and daily monitoring.

This latest confiscation highlights the scale and severity of the illegal wildlife trade and its devastating impact on threatened species in Mexico. According to Fiscalía General de la República (Attorney General’s Office), three individuals have been prosecuted for their alleged involvement in an organized wildlife trafficking network. The network is accused of illegally trading wildlife and wildlife products through a Guadalajara-based company, with products destined for the United States, China, and other Asian markets. The Ministerio Público Federal (Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office) has provided sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, securing pretrial detention for the accused and a one-month investigation period.

Amid ongoing legal proceedings, conservationists are racing to save the surviving turtles. Immediate disease screenings are critical—particularly for species at greatest risk. Of special concern is Ranavirus, a lethal pathogen capable of spreading rapidly through turtle populations. Identifying and containing any outbreak will be essential to stabilizing the animals and preventing further losses. For the Vallarta Mud Turtle, every animal saved represents an irreplaceable opportunity for the species’ survival.

“Providing care to these animals is both a responsibility and a privilege,” said Luis Soto-Rendon, Director General of Zoológico Guadalajara. “Mexico is home to a great richness of turtle and tortoise diversity. We are deeply committed to protecting this natural heritage—through emergency response, long-term conservation, and partnerships that ensure these species are not lost to trafficking and extinction.”

Zoológico Guadalajara has emerged as a national leader in turtle conservation through science-based management and exemplary animal welfare. The zoo achieved the country’s first successful captive hatching of the Vallarta Mud Turtle and, in partnership with TSA, SEMARNAT, and other authorities, has developed specialized habitats and breeding protocols to safeguard the species’ genetic diversity and future survival.

This crisis highlights the scale of the illegal turtle trade and the urgent need for conservation action. TSA is mobilizing resources to support Zoológico Guadalajara with disease testing, treatment, and care for the seized turtles, working closely with Mexican partners to secure a future for the Vallarta Mud Turtle and other at-risk species affected by wildlife trafficking.

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About Turtle Survival Alliance

Formed in 2001 and gaining nonprofit status in 2004, Turtle Survival Alliance is a global conservation organization with a mission to protect and restore wild populations of tortoises and freshwater turtles through science-based conservation, global leadership, and local stewardship. Our science-based initiatives are directed by local leaders, inspiring sustainable, community-based stewardship to prevent extinctions. Where populations cannot yet thrive in the wild, our conservation breeding programs preserve opportunities for their future survival. Turtle Survival Alliance operates or supports projects in 17 countries around the world, protecting critical habitats and providing on-the-ground resources to safeguard the most imperiled turtle and tortoise species. Through these efforts, we make a positive impact on well over 100 species of turtles and tortoises. For more information, visit us on our website and join the conversation and learning experience on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

The post Over 2,000 Wild Turtles Seized in Mexico; Conservationists Race to Save Survivors appeared first on Turtle Survival Alliance.

This week, meet the Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle!

The Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle (Claudius angustatus) is known in some parts of Belize as the Loggerhead. Found in seasonal ponds, marshes, and flooded forests across Belize, Mexico, and northern Guatemala, this adaptable turtle feeds on everything from crayfish to ants and bees. Elsewhere, it carries the spooky moniker of the “Vampire Musk Turtle,” a nod to the pronounced, sharp cusps on the edge of its upper beak—a fitting nickname for the month of October. Sadly, it’s listed as Near Threatened, reminding us of the importance of protecting its wetlands.

Celebrate Hicatee Awareness Month with us by following us across our social platforms, following BFREE, and downloading the coloring book to learn more about Belize’s imperiled species.

The post Hicatee Awareness Month Species Spotlight: Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle appeared first on Turtle Survival Alliance.

Thanks to a grant through the Fonseca Species Conservation Fund, we support PhD Student Amétépé Hounmavo to perform these studies which include field transects, trapping, face-to-face interviews, and bushmeat market surveys–all of which have proven effective in this region for other studies. Gathering data on the distribution, habitat preferences, and local status of turtle populations will give us a greater understanding of what conservation action is needed. 

Species featured in this study include the Senegal Flapshell Turtle (Cyclanorbis senegalensis), the African Softshell Turtle (Trionyx triunguis), the West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus), the African Helmuted Turtle (Pelomedusa olivacea), the Western Hinge-back Tortoise (Kinixys nogueyi), the African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata), and Africa’s rarest turtle species: the Nubian Flapshell Turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans). However, the presence of this latter species has never been confirmed so far in the study area, but it is plausible based on historical records from the Volta region in Ghana and the northern Mono river in Togo. In fact, this area was once inhabited by this species, but we are unsure what populations, if any, remain today, and previous studies in the area were unsuccessful. This study will illuminate the present populations of these highly endangered species, as well as the other turtles that live amongst them.

Turtle Survival Alliance has supported Luca Luiselli, the leading scientist of the Nubian Flapshell Turtle, in east Africa for years. He will lend his expertise and aid in the project’s success. With enough data, we can guide major conservation efforts for the species living at this critical boundary of Burkina Faso and Togo.

The Nubian Flapshell Turtle is highlighted in the latest Turtles in Trouble report, published in July of this year. This report outlines the top 66 most endangered turtle species on the planet. This species is one of 43 from the report that Turtle Survival Alliance is actively working to understand its true remaining distribution and protect it from the numerous threats it faces. Without our conservation efforts, these turtles would surely be extinct. This project is one step towards understanding the turtles in sub-Saharan west Africa, which is one step towards their protection and conservation.

Acknowledgments: Fonseca Species Conservation Fund, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Re:Wild

Header image: A Senegal Flapshell Turtle (Cyclanorbis senegalensis). Photo by Pearson McGovern

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