Afro-American River Turtles: Podocnemididae

According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), seven of the eight species face some threat of survival. Two species are Endangered, meaning that there is a very high risk that they will become extinct in the wild soon. Four species are Vulnerable, facing a high risk of extinction. One species is listed as Lower Risk: Conservation Dependent, meaning that its survival depends on conservation measures. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists two species as Endangered. Much of the decline in this family of turtles can be traced to too much hunting of adults and collecting of their eggs. Efforts are under way to protect the turtles' nesting areas, so that the females have a safe place to lay their eggs.