Soft apricot turtles die in China, the world only has 3 children and the turtle species of Sword Lake

One of the last Yangtze soft-shell turtles in the world died after an unsuccessful artificial insemination plan made by Chinese scientists.

According to Global Times, individual Yangtze soft-shell turtles over 90 years old died at Son Phuong Park in Suzhou, China on April 13. This is one of the last 4 individuals of the Yangtze soft-shell turtle in the world. It also has other names like Hoan Kiem turtle, Shanghai soft shell turtle .

Previously, the scientists at Son Phuong Zoo planned to give the female turtle artificial insemination, but the plan was canceled. This is the fifth attempt at artificial insemination since 2008 to preserve the Yangtze soft-shell turtle.

Duong Tu female soft-shell turtle is brought to Son Phuong park in 2008. (Photo: IC).

"The cause of the tortoise's death is being investigated and will be announced by the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association," said Fang Fang Park.

Son Phuong Park takes 24 hours to try to save precious but unsuccessful turtles. Scientists have isolated and preserved the turtle's ovarian tissue for future research.

The death of the female tortoise at Son Phuong park left the world with only 3 individuals of the Yangtze soft-shell turtle. A male individual is living in Son Phuong Park, the other two individuals are still unknown gender currently living in Vietnam.

The newly released Yangzi soft-shell turtle was transferred to Suzhou from Changsha Eco Park, Hunan Province, since 2008. The turtle has been paired with a male over 100 year old male tortoise. Long time at Son Phuong Park in Suzhou.

An individual Yangtze soft shell turtle in Son Phuong park.(Photo: International Union for Turtle Conservation).

With an average weight of 115kg, the Yangzi soft-shell turtle is outstanding and easily caught due to its massive size and slow movement speed.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences argues that indiscriminate fishing, destructive habitat and human activities have led to a sharp decline in the number of Yangzi soft-shell turtles. Not being included in the list of threatened species in 1989 also caused the Yangtze soft-shell turtle to be pushed to the brink of extinction.