CRCritically Endangered

Podocnemis lewyana

Declining

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

Overview

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

The Magdalena River turtle faces severe population decline due to intensive egg collection for local consumption and commercial trade, with nesting beaches experiencing near-complete harvest rates. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion, cattle ranching, and urban development along the Magdalena River basin has eliminated critical nesting sites and reduced water quality. Dam construction and river channelization have fragmented remaining populations and altered natural flood cycles essential for reproduction.
Threat summary

Habitat

This freshwater turtle inhabits the Magdalena River basin in Colombia, preferring slow-moving rivers, oxbow lakes, and seasonal wetlands with sandy or muddy substrates. Critical nesting habitat includes sandy riverbanks and beaches that flood seasonally, providing optimal conditions for egg incubation.

Marine intertidal· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies reintroductionFormal educationAwareness & communicationsLegislationCompliance and enforcement

Other threatened species in PODOCNEMIDIDAE

Threatened in Colombia

Helena's Marsupial Frog

Gastrotheca helenae

Stable

Varied White-fronted Capuchin

Cebus versicolor

Declining

Brunellia pallida

Stable

Chaceus ibiricensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Podocnemis lewyana classified as Critically Endangered?

Podocnemis lewyana 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 Magdalena River turtle faces severe population decline due to intensive egg collection for local consumption and commercial trade, with nesting beaches experiencing near-complete harvest rates. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion, cattle ranching, and urban development along the Magdalena River basin has eliminated critical nesting sites and reduced water quality. Dam construction and river channelization have fragmented remaining populations and altered natural flood cycles essential for reproduction.

Where does Podocnemis lewyana live?

Podocnemis lewyana occurs in Colombia, and Venezuela. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.

What are the main threats to Podocnemis lewyana?

The main threats to Podocnemis lewyana are 1.1, 11.4, 2.1, and 2.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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