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'World's Most Endangered' Turtle, Over 100 Years Old, Could Be Mom Soon

The female Yangtze giant softshell turtle is seen basking and the male can be seen in the water.
Gerald Kuchling/Turtle Survival Alliance

June 04, 2015, 9:25 PM

 -- Scientists are "holding their breath" as they anxiously await a female Yangtze giant softshell turtle to lay her eggs in Suzhou Zoo in China, according to wildlife conservationists.

The turtle, believed to be over 100 years old, is the last known female of her species, Rafetus swinhoei, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society, which also noted that she was recently artificially inseminated using the sperm of the last known male in China because he had "damaged sex organs."

The "world's most endangered turtle" is expected to lay eggs within a few weeks, and only then will scientists know if the artificial insemination was successful, depending on whether the eggs are viable, according to the WCS.

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"It now appears that artificial insemination is the only possible option for the pair of Rafetus swinhoei in Suzhou Zoo to reproduce successfully, said Dr. Lu Shunqing, who coordinated the breeding program. "The fate of the most endangered softshell turtle of the world is now in the balance."

Animal experts and workers weight a female Rafetus swinhoei (also known as Yangtze giant softshell turtle) to receive artificial insemination at Suzhou Zoo, May 6, 2015, in Suzhou, Jiangsu province of China.

This attempt marks the first time artificial insemination has been tried with any softshell turtle species and based on results of insemination with other turtles, the odds are not in this species' favor, the WCS added.

But scientists remain hopeful.

A male Rafetus swinhoei (also known as Yangtze giant softshell turtle) is seen after being collected sperm at Suzhou Zoo, May 6, 2015, in Suzhou, Jiangsu province of China.

"This autumn, the female Rafetus swinhoei will be moved back to Changsha Zoo," said Vice Director Yan Xiahui of Changsha Zoo, where the turtle originally came from. "We hope some children move together with her."