The Magdalena River Turtle (Podocnemis lewyana) is endemic to Colombia where it is restricted to two rivers in the northwest, the Magdalena and the Sin\u00fa. It is Critically Endangered due primarily to overhunting and loss of nesting habitat. Two community-based conservation groups on the Sin\u00fa are committed to saving this turtle. In the community of Cotoca Arriba, a group known as Tortugas del Sin\u00fa protects nests from flooding when the hydroelectric dam re-leases water. This program is exceptionally well-organized, with teams designated for egg collection, incubation, monitoring, and juvenile rearing, resulting in hatching and releasing thousands of turtles annually. The enthusiasm with which the people of Cotoca Arriba embrace their duties is inspiring and provides hope for this species\u2019 preservation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3076,"template":"","endangered_status":[49],"region":[36],"species_category":[],"threat_category":[],"class_list":["post-3042","species","type-species","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","endangered_status-critically-endangered","region-colombia"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n