Brazil releases thousands of yellow-spotted river turtles (Podocnemis unifilis) endangered in the Amazon region.
Around 4,900 yellow-spotted turtle hatchlings have been released in the Igapo-Açu de Beruri River, in the Brazilian state of Amazonas by a group of children from the community.
Protection project led by the Federal University of Amazonas
The species conservation project is led by the research program of the Federal University of Amazonas and has enabled the release of over 70,000 turtles in a decade. In this way, it has reintroduced this endangered species in this region of northern Brazil.
Paulo Cesar Andrade, coordinator of the Pé-de-Pincha project at the Federal University of Amazonas, commented on the thousands of released turtles:
“This is part of a broader community management strategy, in which the population recognizes that the resource is threatened, either by human invasion or illegal capture, and decides to act to protect it. There are different ways to do this. One is to protect the beach, when possible, so the nests are preserved there. The community records the number of nests and then the number of hatchlings that emerge.”
Education on climate change and environmental impact
The project also aims to educate young and old about climate change and the impact of human activity on the environment.
“The importance lies in the effect it has on the community; it brings people together and also involves the new generation that is coming, which has this idea of sustainability, and can interact with the rich biome we have here in the Amazon.”, stated José Amarildo da Silva, Technical Director of Claro Brasil.
Characteristics of the yellow-spotted river turtle
The yellow-spotted river turtle has a domed shell and a dark color. The markings on the head are yellow-orange in color. They usually have a single chin barbel. These side-necked turtles cannot retract their head into the shell.
The hatchlings have very evident yellow spots on their heads, which fade as they grow. Males retain some of the yellow spots; females lose them completely.
The oldest known yellow-spotted river turtle in the Amazon river that lives under human care reached 23 years of age. They can live up to 70 years.
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