|
|
|
Rare softshell turtle rediscovered in Cambodia mongabay.com May 16, 2007
The mother, an 11-kilogram (24.2-pound) female Cantor’s giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), was captured and released during a survey in March by researchers from Conservation International (CI), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Cambodian Fisheries Administration, and the Cambodian Turtle Conservation Team. “This incredible discovery means that a unique turtle can be saved from disappearing from our planet,” said David Emmett, a CI wildlife biologist. “We thought it might be almost gone, but found it in abundance in this one pristine stretch of the Mekong, making the area the world’s most important site for saving this particular species.”
The species, which can grow up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length and weigh more than 50 kilograms (110 pounds), was last seen in Cambodia in 2003. Cantor’s giant softshell turtle is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to hunting and habitat destruction from dams, irrigation, and river dredging. CI said that the stretch of the Mekong where the turtle was found was closed for many years to scientists due to the presence of Khmer Rouge fighters. “Our survey work to date has documented some of the highest freshwater biodiversity values in the entire Lower Mekong Basin,” said Mark Bezuijen of WWF’s Living Mekong Program, who led the team. “We discovered an entirely new plant species, Amorphophallus sp., along with surviving populations of such threatened species as terns, fish eagles, green peafowl, otters, and silvered leaf-monkeys. More than 180 fish species were recorded, including a new record for Cambodia.” This article is based on a news release from CI Comments? News options News index | RSS | Add to MyYahoo! Advertisements: Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing |
MONGABAY.COM
T-SHIRTS 
CALENDARS 
CANVAS BAGS 
|
|
|
