Major Threats

Called the Golden Coin Turtle because of its golden head and high monetary value, this turtle is teetering on the brink of extinction due to the wildlife trade and the high value placed on it.

Eating the animal in a jelly called guilinggao is falsely believed to promote general well being, but it is also purported to be a cure for everything from acne to cancer. Due to these false beliefs, the Golden Coin Turtle is one of the highest priced turtles in the trade, with prices for a single animal ranging from $10,000 to as high as $25,000.