THE COUNTRIES
India and Bangladesh
ABOUT THE ANIMAL
Common Name:Â The Black Softshell Turtle
Scientific Name:Â Nilssonia nigricans
About the Black Softshell Turtle
The Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) is one of the world’s rarest freshwater turtles. Until 2018, it was classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Extinct in the Wild. Following the discovery of previously unknown wild populations, their status was changed to Critically Endangered.
Although much remains unknown about this elusive species, researchers estimate that its population has declined by more than 80% since 2000 (Praschag et al. 2021). Habitat degradation, exploitation, and human disturbance continue to threaten its survival.
For centuries, Black Softshell Turtles have been protected in temple ponds throughout parts of South Asia, where they are regarded as sacred in Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic traditions. Some of the most famous temple populations are found in Chattogram (formerly Chittagong), Bangladesh, where the turtles have become both a cultural symbol and a popular tourist attraction. These temple ponds provide an extraordinary opportunity to safeguard one of the world’s most endangered turtles.
Temple Ponds: A Conservation Opportunity
Temple ponds have tremendous conservation potential. Because turtles are protected and respected within these sacred sites, they can serve as important refuges and breeding centers for endangered species.
Working alongside Sundance Biology, Turtle Island has successfully modified temple ponds in northeastern India to better support Black Softshell Turtles.
Our work has included:
- Improving water quality and oxygenation
- Introducing native aquatic vegetation
- Removing plastic waste and other pollutants
- Improving the turtles’ diet and nutrition
- Constructing large, natural nesting beaches for females
These relatively simple habitat improvements have had remarkable results. The turtles readily accepted the new nesting areas and are now reproducing successfully each year.
Our Conservation Efforts
To date, Turtle Island has renovated or modified four temple ponds in northeastern India specifically for the conservation of Black Softshell Turtles. We have already replicated our success at the Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur and at Nagshankar and Kamakhya in Assam, India.
Turtle Island also maintains the only known breeding pairs of Black Softshell Turtles in human care. The females are young, healthy, and one has already produced her first clutch of eggs, giving us hope that this extraordinary species can recover through continued habitat restoration, community partnerships, and carefully managed conservation breeding.
The Peacock Softshell Turtle is the Black Softshell Turtle’s closest living relative. Turtle Island is the only organization successfully breeding this Endangered species and achieved the world’s first captive breeding success. Because the Black Softshell Turtle has never been bred in captivity, our team is applying the same husbandry techniques and breeding methods that proved successful with the Peacock Softshell Turtle. These proven approaches provide the best opportunity to establish the world’s first conservation breeding program for the Black Softshell Turtle. To learn more about the Peacock Softshell Turtle and Turtle Island’s conservation efforts for this remarkable species, please visit its project page.
Turtle Island Founder, Peter Praschag, has played a pivotal role in expanding scientific knowledge of this species. In 1999, he documented and genetically confirmed the first wild Black Softshell Turtles in northwestern India, proving the species existed outside the previously known temple population in Bangladesh. He later documented additional wild populations throughout West Bengal and northeastern India.
More recently, surveys revealed populations in Nepal, dramatically expanding the species’ known range. During fieldwork in October, Peter documented Black Softshell Turtles across multiple locations throughout the country, suggesting the species may be far more widespread than previously believed.
Temple ponds associated with Shiva temples throughout India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar represent a tremendous conservation opportunity. With relatively minor habitat improvements, many of these ponds could become thriving breeding centers that help secure the future of this remarkable turtle.
Future Plans
We have made tremendous progress in protecting the Black Softshell Turtle, but our work is far from over. We plan to revisit the temple ponds we have restored to monitor the turtles’ health, breeding success, and habitat conditions while providing any additional support needed to ensure these populations continue to thrive. We also aim to work with local communities to reduce road mortality near important turtle habitats and expand our successful temple pond restoration efforts to additional sites throughout South Asia.
Following the discovery of wild populations across Nepal, we plan to work with our partner organization, the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Society of Nepal (ARCO Nepal), and Betana Wetlands to establish an assurance colony of Black Softshell Turtles. This conservation breeding program will help safeguard the species, strengthen its long-term survival, and support future reintroductions into protected habitats. Our founder, Peter Praschag, serves as the CEO and President of ARCO Nepal, further strengthening the collaboration between our organizations. To learn more about ARCO Nepal and its conservation efforts, visit the ARCO Nepal page on our website.
Community involvement remains a key part of our conservation strategy. We plan to continue partnering with local schools through educational programs and rehabilitation ceremonies that engage students in the release of turtles into protected areas. Building on the success of our projects at the Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur and the Nagshankar and Kamakhya temple ponds in Assam, we hope to restore additional temple ponds that can serve as safe breeding refuges for this remarkable species.
Turtle Island also maintains the only known breeding pairs of Black Softshell Turtles in human care. We are hopeful that these young females will continue to produce eggs and remain optimistic that our combined efforts in habitat restoration, conservation breeding, and community partnerships will help secure a brighter future for one of the world’s rarest turtles.
Become a Black Softshell Turtle Guardian Through Our Adoption Program
By symbolically adopting a Black Softshell Turtle, you help provide the specialized care these remarkable turtles need while supporting critical conservation efforts. Your adoption helps fund nutritious food, expert veterinary and husbandry care, conservation breeding programs, and other essential work to protect this species.
Visit our Black Softshell Turtle Adoption Program page to learn more about becoming a Black Softshell Turtle Guardian and supporting the conservation of this extraordinary species. Together, we can help bring the Black Softshell Turtle back from the brink of extinction.
Help Us Protect Endangered Turtles and Tortoises Â
This project is just one part of Turtle Island’s mission to protect endangered turtles and tortoises worldwide.
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