Endangered Yangtze Giant Soft-shell Turtle

It is reported that scientists proved that Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle is on the verge of extinction. Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle was firstly found in 70s of the 19th Century. A British diplomat in Shanghai sent a specimen of Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle to the British Museum. Peter Pritchard – a famous American scientist saw the specimen once and tried to save this species of animal. He said that this species of animal was ignored by the world about 100 years; it seems that this species of turtle does not exist on the Earth.

Zhao Kentang – a famous Chinese herpetologist realized the importance of Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle till 90s of 20th Century. He began to persuade different zoos to cultivate the turtles together. After the investigation in China and Vietnam, the herpetologists found that there were only 6 alive Yangtze giant soft-shell turtles in 2004. Three of them lived in zoos in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou. Another two lived in a temple and the last one loved in Vietnam (some scientists held that the one lived in Vietnam was another species of turtle).

Practical Fishkeeping – a British aquarium magazine reported that 3 of the 6 Yangtze giant soft-shell turtles have dead till August. The two Yangtze giant soft-shell turtles in the temple had never been found. The only living male Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle which is about 100 years old lives in Suzhou Zoo.

Another female Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle which is about 80 years old was found in January. It is living in Changsha Zoo. Suzhou Zoo and Changsha Zoo have reached an agreement that scientists would help with the reproduction of the two Yangtze giant soft-shell turtles. They will apply the artificial impregnation to the reproduction of Yangtze giant soft-shell turtles on the next spring. But the scientists couldn't ensure a good result after the artificial impregnation.

According to the relevant report of Scotlandon Sunday, scientists warned that thousands of animals and plants are on the verge of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature would put about 200 species of animals on the list of endangered animals every year. There are more than 40000 species of animals on the list of endangered animals. Scientists also warned that the situation is getting worse.

The endangered animals face various threatens, but all threatens are caused by human beings' destructive activities.