Asian Giant Softshell Turtle
CR

Asian Giant Softshell Turtle

Pelochelys cantorii

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_giant_softshell_turtle

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Asian giant softshell turtle faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive harvesting for food and traditional medicine across its range. Nest destruction and egg collection have eliminated successful reproduction at many historical nesting sites, while dam construction and sand mining have degraded critical riverine breeding habitats. Pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial discharge further compromises water quality in the large river systems this species requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Pelochelys cantorii inhabits large river systems, estuaries, and coastal waters across Southeast Asia, preferring areas with soft substrates where it can bury itself. The species requires sandy riverbanks and beaches for nesting, typically in areas with minimal human disturbance.

Forest - Subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation· majorMarine coastal/supratidal· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryAwareness & communicationsLegislationPolicies and regulations

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Asian Giant Softshell Turtle classified as Critically Endangered?
Asian Giant Softshell Turtle is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Asian giant softshell turtle faces severe population declines primarily due to intensive harvesting for food and traditional medicine across its range. Nest destruction and egg collection have eliminated successful reproduction at many historical nesting sites, while dam construction and sand mining have degraded critical riverine breeding habitats. Pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial discharge further compromises water quality in the large river systems this species requires.
Where does Asian Giant Softshell Turtle live?
Asian Giant Softshell Turtle occurs in Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, and Indonesia (plus 8 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Asian Giant Softshell Turtle?
The main threats to Asian Giant Softshell Turtle are 1.1, 1.2, 5.1, and 5.1.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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