Batagur baska
CR

Batagur baska

Declining

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

Overview

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

The Northern River Terrapin faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive egg collection for human consumption, which has eliminated natural recruitment in many areas. Dam construction and river modification have fragmented critical nesting habitats and altered water flow patterns essential for breeding. Pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial discharge degrades water quality in the estuarine environments where these turtles feed and shelter.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits tidal rivers, estuaries, and mangrove swamps across Southeast Asia, particularly in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta region. Females require specific sandy riverbanks and beaches for nesting, while adults forage in brackish waters where rivers meet the sea.

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

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies reintroductionEx-situ conservationLegislation

Other threatened species in GEOEMYDIDAE

EN

Black-breasted Leaf Turtle

Geoemyda spengleri

Declining
Pangshura sylhetensisCR

Pangshura sylhetensis

Declining
EN

Cuora flavomarginata

Unknown
Cuora picturataCR

Cuora picturata

Declining

Threatened in Bangladesh

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Asarcornis scutulataCR

Asarcornis scutulata

Declining
CR

Aythya baeri

Declining
Perdicula manipurensisCR

Perdicula manipurensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Batagur baska classified as Critically Endangered?
Batagur baska 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 Northern River Terrapin faces severe population decline primarily due to extensive egg collection for human consumption, which has eliminated natural recruitment in many areas. Dam construction and river modification have fragmented critical nesting habitats and altered water flow patterns essential for breeding. Pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial discharge degrades water quality in the estuarine environments where these turtles feed and shelter.
Where does Batagur baska live?
Batagur baska occurs in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Batagur baska?
The main threats to Batagur baska are 1.1, 1.2, 2.4, and 5.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.