Peru releases thousands of Amazon river turtles
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The Peruvian government, with help from park rangers, students, and local communities, released thousands of Amazon river turtles into the Huallaga and Ucayali river basins in the Loreto and San Martín regions.
The releases occurred through October 17 as part of a biodiversity conservation program. Officials focused on three species: the taricaya (Podocnemis unifilis), teparo (Phrynops geoffroanus), and charapa (Podocnemis expansa) turtles.
These turtles play a key role in the Amazon ecosystems by dispersing seeds as they eat fruits and vegetation, which supports forest regeneration and the food chain. The taricaya, also known as the yellow-spotted river turtle, is currently listed as vulnerable. While the charapa, or giant South American river turtle, is considered to be at lower risk, conservation efforts are still necessary to ensure its long-term survival.
The program aims to strengthen turtle populations that are threatened by habitat loss and human activity.
