Once thriving in its native waters, as little as four individuals are known to remain. These turtles are the largest freshwater turtle in the world, but they are also on the brink of extinction. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Yangtze giant softshell, world's rarest turtle, dies in China zoo leaving only 3 known alive. Time and the ability to… There are only three known individuals in the world: one at China’s Suzhou Zoo, another one in Vietnam’s Hoan Kiem Lake, and a third confirmed in the wild in 2018.
Each has its own quirks and traits that make it unique, and softshell turtles as a whole are a unique group of reptiles. The specimen caught from Vietnam weighed over 200 kg (440 lb). It measures over 100 cm (39 in) in length and 70 cm (28 in) in width, and weighs about 70–100 kg (150–220 lb). Unfortunately, it is also the world's rarest. One of last four known Yangtze giant softshell turtles dies Rick Hudson is part of the team trying to save this rare species of Asian freshwater turtle … Time and the ability to successfully reproduce these… It may be the largest living freshwater turtle in the world. The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the world. China QUICK FACTS>> Expand Focal species: Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) Chelonian Threats: Only 3 specimens of Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle are known to exist: a male at the Suzhou Zoo in China, and two specimens of unknown sex residing in separate lakes in northern Vietnam. Time and the ability to successfully reproduce these… It is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List. Here are 10 facts about turtles and tortoises, ranging from how these vertebrates evolved to … The Suzhou zoo, where the female turtle lived, also houses a male Yangtze giant softshell turtle… The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is one of the world's largest known freshwater turtle species, and one of the world's 50 most threatened turtles. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. This female Yangtze giant softshell turtle (pictured at her home at China's Suzhou Zoo) died while recovering from anesthesia on April 12, 2019. The animal was one of four Yangtze giant soft-shell turtles known to be remaining in the world. Photograph from Vietnam News Agency/AFP/Getty Images The last … This critically endangered species holds the title of being the largest freshwater turtle in the world. The Suzhou Zoo houses a male Yangtze giant softshell turtle. The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is noted for its deep head with pig-like snout and eyes dorsally placed. A Yangtze giant softshell turtle—one of the last four known—gets a checkup in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2011. The intricate operation was carried out by conservation experts hoping to save one of the planet’s rarest species, with only ONE female Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle left on Earth. An 80-year-old Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle, the only female known to exist, was moved in May to a zoo in Suzhou to mate with a 100-year-old male turtle. Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (Photo by Gerald Kuchling) Swinhoe’s Giant Asian Softshell Turtle (China and Vietnam) Swinhoe’s Giant Asian Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) is one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world, reaching up to 260 pounds. Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Another extremely rare animal is The Yangtze River Giant Softshell Turtle.
April 15, 2019 / 5:15 AM / CBS/AP