Sadly, all of them are under threat, ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered, according to the IUCN Red List.

Since 2018, Ocean Park Hong Kong has undertaken an initiative to breed the endangered Beale‘s-eyed turtle, collaborating with the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong (OPCFHK) and the Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation.

This marked Ocean Park’s first attempt at breeding this particular species, and they faced significant challenges due to limited information on its breeding biology.

Initially struggling with low fertility rates, the team adapted their approach by establishing an outdoor holding facility that mirrored the turtles’ natural habitat, successfully stimulating their breeding behaviours.

By working with local and international experts, with support from the AFCD and IUCN, they organised a conservation workshop that brought together multiple conservation organisations and researchers.

Thanks to the team‘s perseverance, five turtles have been successfully hatched at Ocean Park, and the programme is now expanding to include big-headed turtles!