Phnom penh: The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) has announced the successful hatching of a critically endangered Black Marsh Turtle, marking a significant milestone in conservation efforts for the species. This achievement is particularly notable as it represents only the second successful breeding event at the centre, following two hatchlings in 2024.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the parent turtles of the newly hatched Black Marsh Turtle were initially rescued from illegal roadside vendors. This rescue operation was instrumental in the centre’s ongoing efforts to establish a viable assurance population for the Black Marsh Turtle, which is threatened by its low reproductive rate. Typically, females lay between one and two large eggs per clutch, although they can produce up to three or four eggs during a single breeding season.
The Black Marsh Turtle is one of ten endangered turtle species in Cambodia, highlighting the country’s rich but threatened biodiversity. The other endangered species include the Southern River Terrapin, the Yellow-headed Temple Turtle, and the Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle, among others. The ACCB’s successful breeding program for the Black Marsh Turtle underscores the importance of conservation initiatives to protect these vulnerable species from extinction.