Northern River Terrapin
CR

Northern River Terrapin

Batagur baska

Declining

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

Overview

The northern river terrapin is a species of riverine turtle native to Southeast Asia. It has been classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and considered extinct in much of its former range; as of 2018, the population in the wild was estimated at 100 mature individuals.

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

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Northern River Terrapin classified as Critically Endangered?
Northern River Terrapin 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 Northern River Terrapin live?
Northern River Terrapin 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 Northern River Terrapin?
The main threats to Northern River Terrapin 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.

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