Cambodia conservationists have released 150 softshell turtle hatchlings into the Mekong River.
After being nurtured from eggs to hatchlings, a conservation project in Cambodia have introduced 150 of these giant endangered turtles back into their natural habitat of the Mekong River.
In an effort to rebuild their fragile population, these creatures were collected from nests that have been protected by guardians from local communities.
The project has been running since 2007 and uses people that once harvested these turtle eggs to instead search for and protect them. 329 nests have been protected and almost 8000 hatchlings have been released since the project began.
Sun Yoeung of the Wildlife Conservation Society spoke about how the mission also benefits the locals.
“The release will also increase local incomes and encourage the support and involvement of local communities in conserving the species.”
The Asian giant softshell turtle was thought to be extinct in Cambodia until these reptiles were rediscovered a decade ago.
Cambodia is home to an abundance of wildlife, those on a solo holiday can even spot dolphins in the same stretch of water that the softshell turtles have been found.
Other important wildlife projects in Cambodia include the Wildlife Aliance’s Phnom Tamao Rescue Centre, who work to prevent the illegal trade and trafficking of animals, and the WA’s Wildlife Release station in Koh Kong, who send rehabilitated animals back into the wild.
Image Credit: Wildlife Conservation Society
