First artificial insemination of Yangtze giant softshell turtle

[News Bot]

A female Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) -- potentially the last female of her species -- has been artificially inseminated. The procedure, which brought together top scientists from China, Australia and the United States, provides a ray of hope in a continuing effort to save the world's most endangered turtle.

Published On: 28-May-15 03:37 AM
Source: ScienceDaily

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[adderboy]

Interesting. Gerald Kuchling lives in Perth (when he is in Australia) and we were lucky to have him speak at a monthly meeting of the WA Herp Society a couple of years ago. His talk covered a range of projects he is involved in with chelonians and included the attempts to try and save this species and the issues involved. Gerald was instrumental in setting up a serious effort to save the Western Swamp Turtle, then Australia's most endangered reptile, and his work probably saved that species from oblivion, although it's not out of the woods by any means.

Simon