Mission Black River 2024

Turtle Sanctuary is committed to ensuring the survival of the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) in its natural habitat. Since 2019, our organization has been conducting a research program dedicated to this species, initiated through the collection of data on its geographic distribution and ecology in the river basins of northern Vietnam. This approach is based on the methodical conduct of structured interviews with local populations, combined with modeling analyses to identify the most suitable habitat areas for R. swinhoei across Vietnamese territory.

A field mission was conducted from September 16 to October 9, 2024, along the Black River in Son La Province, northern Vietnam.

During this mission, 90 interviews were conducted with local fishermen, requiring travel of approximately 1,200 kilometers by scooter and nearly 380 kilometers by boat. These surveys yielded valuable information not only on R. swinhoei, but also on several other turtle species present in the region, thereby enriching our understanding of local chelonian biodiversity.