This week’s Photo Hunt theme is “Rare” so I guess my picture won’t come as a surprise. Not anymore, huh? *smiles*

The river terrapins, scientifically known as Batagur baska is one of the most critically-endangered turtle species according to a 2003 assessment by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Stacked-up river terrapins

They are considered rare because they are found only in South and Southeast Asia, e.g. in parts of India such as Bengal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia (Kedah, Perak and Terengganu), Sumatra, Indonesia and Cambodia, and their natural populations have declined drastically in recent decades due to various threats — collection and consumption of the river terrapin eggs, caught in fishing nets, hit by boat propellers, sand-mining, poison fishing, pollution, etc.

And in Malaysia, the river terrapins are found in the rivers of Kedah, Perak and Terengganu (e.g. Setiu and Dungun Rivers) and Pasir Temir and Pasir Lubuk Kawah by the Terengganu River are the largest nesting sites for Batagur baska in the world.

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