Activities to date
Since 2003, the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has conducted interview surveys for Rafetus swinhoei in eight provinces of northern Vietnam. During surveys, the shells and skulls of six Rafetus were found and a number of sites where the species historically occurred and potentially remains were identified. At three primary sites in Thanh Hoa, Ha Tay and Yen Bai, six months of observations have been made. During 2007, at Dong Mo Lake in Ha Tay province, a wild Rafetus swinhoei was observed and photographed, representing the first confirmation of the species in the wild and only the fourth individual of the species known in existence

The Rafetus conservation program has maintained a full time presence at the project site at Dong Mo Lake since January 2007. The local counterpart, previously a fisherman on the lake, has lived in the local village all his life. He is well known in the local community and through his involvement in the monitoring, the project receives good community support.

A workshop was held in April 2009 with the lake owners, local schools, FPD, Peoples Committee and management from a golf course situated on a peninsula in the lake. Education programs are already being undertaken in local schools by our local partner, Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV).

Upon discovery of the wild Rafetus swinhoei, a permanent presence was established at the site, school awareness programs were initiated, regular patrols of the area were started and meetings with local fishermen were undertaken. In November 2008, a Rafetus swinhoei weighing 69 kg and measuring 90 cm in length was rescued from local trade. This animal, believed to be the same one observed in Dong Mo and washed out during a flood when a dam burst, was recovered and returned to the lake through cooperation with the local community, Peoples Committee, Forest Protection Department (FPD) and a local NGO and counterpart, Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV). The rescue of this animal was only possible due to the presence of ATP in the community and awareness activities that had already been undertaken.

Ongoing awareness & research
The future of this species in Vietnam is uncertain. Conservationists have been conducting surveys along large river in northern Vietnam to learn more about the species and in the hope of finding others individuals surviving in the wild. While here in Dong Mo local fishermen are working with a conservation team to study and protect the Dong Mo turtles and look for additional animals.

In additional, the special lesson and community meeting has been designed for the secondary schools and local people who stay nearby Dong Mo Lake to encourage them to protect their pride. The Turtle football cup and Boat race have also been carried out by the ATP to create greater community support for the species.

In September 2010, a new awareness poster for the Rafetus swinhoei has been produced by ATP. The poster is to be distributed during interview surveys throughout northern Vietnam conducted by the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) searching for additional animals and habitat. As well as increasing awareness to the importance of these large turtles and their link to the sacred animal in Hanoi the poster also carries contact information allowing people to report information on possible additional sites for the species

Annually the ATP organizes a football cup to to promote awareness and conservation of the critically endangered Swinhoe's Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei)

A new dam constructed in 2010 poses a threat to Rafetus swinhoei

Future research and conservation needs

Need for better protection, of the species and its habitat. Dong Mo Lake, the only known wild habitat for the species could be provided protected habitat status either as a Nature Reserve or Species Habitat Conservation Area (SHCA).

Protection under national law, despite the rarity of the species and the cultural importance of the animal in Hanoi it remains unprotected under national law.

At present the animal in Dong Mo Lake is at risk from a new dam constructed in 2010 to replace the old dam destroyed during flooding. When gates on the dam are opened during high water the animal could escape again, a secure fence built before the dam would prevent any escape.

Continued field work to identify any remain populations of the species in Vietnam and China is of urgent importance.

Consideration of a breeding loan program to bring the animal in Dong Mo lake for breeding with captive animals in China could be considered if additional wild animals can not be located.

Other conservation projects in the world

Efforts are being made in China to artificially inseminate the female Swinhoe's softshell turtle (Rafetus Swinhoei). 

In April 2016 efforts were made again to artificially inseminate the female Rafetus swinhoei in Shouzou Zoo, China. With only 3 animals currently known in existence and the male In China unable to mate naturally due to an old injury from a fight with another male the importance of these efforts cannot be under estimated. 

Semen from the male was collected and surgically implanted into the females oviduct to try and ensure any viable semen successfully arrives at the eggs. 

Good luck and well done to all those involved.

Link to the article online

We would like to thank all those who have supported our work and the Rafetus swinhoei Project. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), Birdlife International, Columbus Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and the Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF). As well as local partners and agencies, Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), the Forest Protection Department (FPD) and the People's Committee of Vietnam.

Support Our Conservation Activities, if you would like our program and activities please visit our donations page or click the donate button