The last known male giant Swinhoe’s softshell turtle is no longer alone on the planet after the discovery of a female of his species in Vietnam . The female 86kg (13 stone) turtle was found in Dong Mo lake, in Hanoi’s Son Tay district, and captured for genetic testing in October. DNA tests have now confirmed the animal is a Swinhoe’s softshell turtle , ( Rafetus swinhoei ), the most endangered turtle in the world. Another turtle estimated to weigh 130kg was sighted in the lake, and conservationists hope that this could be another male. The only known male Swinhoe’s softshell turtle is at Suzhou zoo in China. Scientists aim to ensure that the turtles are given the chance to breed and save the species from the brink of extinction. The animal, known also as the Hoan Kiem turtle or Yangtze giant softshell turtle, has been driven to the brink by hunting for its meat and eggs, as well as by destruction of its habitat. The second Rafetus swinhoei turtle was discovered on Dong Mo Lake. Photograph: WCS Vietnam “This is the best news of the year, and quite possibly the last decade, for global turtle conservation,” said Andrew […]
Latest Articles
Indigenous-Led Solar Energy Project Wins Prize Funding to Implement a Community Clean Energy Project...
OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 19, 2021 /CNW/ - Indigenous communities, governments, organizations and business, particularly in northern and isolated regions that are at the forefront...
GM’s new electric delivery vans will be made in Canada
The (soon to be) made-in-Canada GM EV600 electric delivery van Newly ratified deal gives Ontario workers a bigger bite of EV manufacturing, with...
Okanagan conservation group looks to protect wildlife with ecological corridor
Looking east towards Black Mountain over the Okanagan valley. The Okanagan is home to a vast array of wildlife. Unfortunately, however, the region...
More than 50 countries commit to protection of 30% of Earth’s land and oceans
A coalition of more than 50 countries has committed to protect almost a third of the planet by 2030 to halt the destruction...
Greener planes of the future… or just pretty plans?
BBC News image captionThe Airbus Maveric is a remote-controlled blended-wing test aircraft At an undisclosed location Airbus has spent months testing a radical...
Hawaii Will Power Its Clean Grid With 6,000 Home Batteries Installed by Swell Energy
Swell will link batteries in 6,000 different homes to create a decentralized power plant for the local utility. The virtual power plant model...