Ocean Park Receives Confiscated Critically Endangered Big-Headed Turtles Aiming for Breeding and Release Programmes to Support Local Conservation

Ocean Park and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) jointly collected a batch of big-headed turtles from mainland authorities in Gongbei, Zhuhai yesterday (25 February). These turtles were seized by the mainland customs in October 2024 during a smuggling activity. Of these, 14 turtles were entrusted to Ocean Park for care.

Upon arrival at Ocean Park yesterday afternoon, the Park’s veterinary and animal care teams immediately conducted preliminary examinations on each turtle, including body length measuring, weighing and X-ray imaging.

Howard Chuk, Head of Zoological Operations and Conservation of Ocean Park Corporation, who led the Park’s expert team to Gongbei to receive the turtles, said, “The big-headed turtle is a precious local species listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Most of the big-headed turtles we received yesterday are exhibiting various health issues such as broken tails or phalanges. They have been settled in the Park’s back-of-house facilities, where they will undergo a quarantine period of not less than 30 days while receiving treatment. We will provide them with appropriate treatment to help them recover as quickly as possible.”

Ocean Park and the AFCD have collaborated closely for many years to care for rescued or confiscated wildlife, as well as other illegally imported and abandoned animals. Since 2000, the Park and the AFCD have successfully rescued over 80 sea turtles, returning them to the ocean after receiving care at the Park. Between 2023 and 2024, the Park received and rehabilitated nine big-headed turtles and golden coin turtles that were seized during smuggling operations.

Chuk added, “Ocean Park is committed to protecting local biodiversity. The Park will discuss the next steps with the AFCD to explore the feasibility of big-headed turtle breeding and release programmes. Big-headed turtles are of immense conservation value, and we must ensure that they are not captured again for illegal trade or other purposes.”

The big-headed turtle is a native freshwater turtle species in Hong Kong which plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of the local freshwater ecosystem. Research indicates that big-headed turtles have the potential to suppress snail populations and shift their behaviour and habitat use in a way that may influence the whole ecosystem[1]. However, in recent years, big-headed turtles have become increasingly popular as exotic pets, leading to severe threats from illegal wildlife hunting and trade. As a result, they are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and Category 2 under the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Law. The other two native Hong Kong freshwater turtles – the golden coin turtle and Beale's eyed turtle – are listed as Critically Endangered and Endangered species, respectively on the IUCN Red List.

According to a survey by local scholars, the wild populations of big-headed turtles and Beale’s eyed turtles in nearly 90 percent of the sites surveyed have either been extirpated or propagations are no longer viable. It is estimated that only a few hundred adult big-headed turtles remain in the wild in Hong Kong. Given their low reproduction rate and long time in reaching sexual maturity, if rampant poaching of freshwater turtles continues, Hong Kong’s freshwater turtle populations will probably be eradicated in three to five years[2].

Ocean Park is dedicated to educating the public about protecting local native species. Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibit Dive Into Local Diversity to gain an in-depth understanding of the habitats and riverine ecology of Hong Kong's diverse freshwater species.