Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

Can anyone guess what the most endangered chelonian species are on the planet at this time?

While it may be too late for species such as Cuora yunnanensis, these top 25 species still have a fighting chance. Compiled by the Turtle Conservation Fund in conjunction with the world's top chelonian conservation organizations, the list focuses on the 25 species at highest risk and includes endangered and critically endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles.

To see pictures as well as writeups on each of these endangered species, click on the World Chelonian Trust- Top 25 Turtles on Death Row link below or go to the Turtle Survival Alliance website at www.turtlesurvival.org and see if you guessed right!!!

Chris Tabaka, DVM

World Chelonian Trust- veterinary advisor and trustee
Turtle Survival Alliance- steering committee and trustee
IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group- member
AZA Chelonian Taxon Advisory Group- veterinary advisor

World Chelonian Trust- Top 25 Turtles On Death Row

turtles

These 25 were selected by consensus as representative of the most endangered species, although arguments could certainly be raised for other species as well. For example, we chose to include only one Cuora species despite others being as endangered as the one we picked. Likewise we picked only one Galapagos subspecies despite others also being in trouble. The concept was based on CI's previously successful release of the Top 25 Endangered Primates, which created a lot of valuable PR for primates. We hope the same will occur for turtles.

(the above quote from Anders Rhodin)

Darrell
World Chelonian Trust