Scientists found a colony of one of the world's largest turtles in a remote stretch of the Mekong in Cambodia, raising hopes the species can be saved from extinction.An 11 kg female Asian giant soft-shell turtle has been caught and freed during a survey of the river in March.
They also found the turtles' nesting ground in a riverbank in the northeastern province of Stung Treng, a former stronghold of the Khmer Rouge guerrillas, around 180 km north of Phnom Penh.
"This incredible discovery means that a unique turtle can be saved from disappearing from our planet," Conservation Internationa biologist David Emmett said in a statement.
The turtle, which spends 95 per cent of its life hidden in sand or mud with only its eyes and nose showing, can grow up to two metres long and weigh more than 50 kg. link
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