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One of the four remaining Yangtze giant softshell turtles dies in China

One of the rarest turtles in the world, a Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei, 斑 鱉), died in China, leaving only three remaining alive.

The female specimen died in the Suzhou zoo in the south of China.

Local staff and international experts had attempted to artificially inseminate the turtle, who was over 90 years old, for the fifth time shortly before dying.

They said that there were no complications in the operation and that she had been healthy after the procedure, but his condition deteriorated the next day.

The causes of death are currently being investigated and the turtle’s ovarian tissue has been collected for future research.

The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is an extremely rare species of turtles and is found only in Vietnam and China.

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This species is in danger of extinction due to hunting, overfishing and the destruction of its habitat.

Source imagine: Wikipedia