CR

Yunnan Box Turtle

Cuora yunnanensis

Declining

Overview

The Yunnan box turtle is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae. It is believed to be endemic to Yunnan, China and was suspected to be extinct since the early 20th century; the last verified specimen was collected in 1940.

The Yunnan box turtle faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive collection for the traditional medicine trade and food markets across Asia. Habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development has fragmented remaining populations, while pollution from agricultural runoff degrades water quality in their aquatic habitats. The species' extremely limited range in Yunnan Province makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats.

Threat summary

Habitat

This semi-aquatic turtle inhabits shallow ponds, slow-moving streams, and wetlands in the subtropical montane regions of Yunnan Province, China. It prefers areas with dense aquatic vegetation and muddy substrates, typically at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters.

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoverySpecies reintroductionLegislation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Yunnan Box Turtle classified as Critically Endangered?
Yunnan Box 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 Yunnan box turtle faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive collection for the traditional medicine trade and food markets across Asia. Habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development has fragmented remaining populations, while pollution from agricultural runoff degrades water quality in their aquatic habitats. The species' extremely limited range in Yunnan Province makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats.
Where does Yunnan Box Turtle live?
Yunnan Box Turtle occurs in China, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Yunnan Box Turtle?
The main threats to Yunnan Box Turtle are 2.1, 4.1, 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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