A group of biologists have discovered a breeding population of extremely rare Cantor's giant softshell turtles (Pelochelys cantorii) on the banks of the Chandragiri River in India's tropical south-west.
It's the first time this secretive species has been recorded nesting, according to a study published in the journal Oryx, a finding that represents an important breakthrough for conservationists; data on the species’ ecology, behaviour, population size and distribution are limited, which in turn hinders strategic conservation planning.
The paper highlights the importance of community involvement for the survival of the species.
‘Frog-faced softshell’
The Cantor's giant softshell turtle, also known as the ‘frog-faced softshell’ due to its amphibian-like facial features, is a large species of freshwater turtle native to the rivers of South and Southeast Asia.
Despite its wide distribution, the species, which can grow over one metre in length and weigh more than 100 kilograms, is in decline and classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Habitat destruction is the main cause of the population drop. Giant softshell turtles are also harvested by locals for meat and are often killed by fishing gear.
Searching for the giant turtle
The quest to uncover the whereabouts of the Cantor's giant softshell turtle took a team of researchers, including conservationists from the University of Portsmouth, to the south-west Indian state of Kerala and the tropical banks of the Chandragiri River.
By talking to local communities, the group were able to locate the endangered turtle and begin to record sightings. This work led to the first documentation of a nesting female.
“For years, the Cantor turtle’s existence has barely been a murmur against the backdrop of India's bustling biodiversity, with sightings so scarce that the turtle's very presence seemed like a ghost from the past," says Dr Francoise Cabada-Blanco, corresponding author from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Portsmouth.
“Following several unsuccessful attempts at tracking one down using conventional ecological survey methods, we took a different approach by tapping into local knowledge.
“The team, led by Ayushi Jain were able to engage the community really effectively, so much so that they shared tales of historical sightings, provided leads on current occurrences, and even aided in the live release of individuals accidentally caught as by-catch.”
"For years, the Cantor turtle’s existence has barely been a murmur against the backdrop of India's bustling biodiversity, with sightings so scarce that the turtle's very presence seemed like a ghost from the past." Dr Francoise Cabada-Blanco
Ayushi Jain, from the Zoological Society of London’s Edge of Existence Programme, adds: “Through household interviews and the establishment of a local alert network, we did not just listen; we learned.
“The community’s willingness to engage formed the backbone of our project, allowing us to record not just fleeting glimpses of the turtles but evidence of a reproductive population - a discovery that rewrites the narrative of a species thought to be vanishing from India's waters.”
Why community involvement matters
The paper highlights the vital role of local knowledge in conservation, suggesting that is it just as important "as any satellite tag or camera trap in the quest to understand and protect our planet's biodiversity".
The researchers believe that the creation of an alert network, where community involvement offers not only expert knowledge and insights, but also immediate action, will pave the way for a more responsive and inclusive model of wildlife conservation in Kerala.
“Uniting traditional wisdom with scientific inquiry can certainly illuminate the path forward for the conservation of the Cantor's giant softshell turtle,” says Dr Cabada-Blanco.
“Our study is a narrative of rediscovery, of finding hope in the stories told by the river and its people, and of laying the groundwork for a future where this magnificent species can thrive, not just survive.”
The study was led by conservationists from the University of Portsmouth and Zoological Society of London in England, University of Miami, Museum of Zoology at the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research in Germany, Florida Museum of Natural History in the USA, and Wildlife Institute of India.
Find out more about the paper: Using local ecological knowledge to determine the status of Cantor's giant softshell turtle Pelochelys cantorii in Kerala, India
