The Koh Kong Reptile Conservation Center (KKRCC) in Cambodia’s Koh Kong province has announced a significant conservation success. In 2023, 122 Southern River terrapins (Batagur affinis), also known as royal turtles, hatched on an artificial sand bank at the center.
According to a Xinhua report, this marks the third consecutive year the critically endangered species has successfully laid eggs in captivity at KKRCC. This year, the captive breeding group laid 21 clutches totaling 272 eggs, resulting in the 122 hatchlings. This hatching event follows the release of 20 critically endangered royal turtles into the Sre Ambel River system in Koh Kong Province’s Sre Ambel district on March 22. Cambodian Ministry of Environment’s Secretary of State Neth Pheaktra praised the achievement, stating to Xinhua: “This is a great result and a good example in the conservation of Royal Turtles in Cambodia. We strongly support the continuation of this captive breeding program for restoring this critically endangered species in the future, and we hope this species will survive for our next generations.” About the Southern River Terrapin: The Southern River terrapin is one of the world’s 25 most endangered turtles. Locally called the Royal Turtle, it was historically reserved for the Cambodian royal family. It was designated Cambodia’s National Reptile in March 2005. After being thought extinct, a small population was rediscovered in the Sre Ambel River in Koh Kong province in 2000. Population threats include illegal clearance of flooded forests and illegal fishing, as reported by Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia. Since 2015, 167 royal turtles have been released back into the wild. The KKRCC currently holds approximately 282 royal turtles in captivity.
