Wildlife experts in Cambodia have discovered a nest of 16 eggs built by the nearly extinct “king turtle.” This is the primary such discovery this 12 months, the nonprofit Wildlife Conservation (WCS) said on Monday.
The king tortoise, also generally known as the river turtle, was recognized as Cambodia’s national reptile in 2005. It was considered extinct until it was rediscovered within the river in 2000. Only three nests have been present in the last two years.
“Despite its success following its rediscovery of the species in 2000, the king tortoise remains at high risk of extinction,” said Som Sitha, WCS technical advisor.
As stated in Reutersis considered one of the 25 most endangered freshwater turtles on this planet.
Named since it is believed that prior to now only members of the royal family were allowed to eat the eggs, the WCS says the king tortoise is now threatened by clearing of flooded forests, illegal fishing and the illegal wildlife trade.
Wildlife wardens within the southwestern province of Koh Kong, where the eggs were discovered along a river by villagers and conservationists including WCS, are guarding them until they hatch, the environmental group said in an announcement.
The WCS project coordinator, a fisheries official in Hul, said the reptile’s breeding season is from January to March.
“If we discover a nest, we are going to work with the area people to guard it until the eggs hatch after which we are going to take the hatchlings to the Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center where they will probably be cared for until they mature and might be released into the wild,” Hul said Post office in Phnom Penh.
There are currently no population estimates for king turtles, but a recent count of females within the Sre Ambel river system showed fewer than 10, in accordance with WCS’s Mengey.
