The occurrence of Javanese narrow-headed soft shell turtle (Chitra chitra javanensis) in Java

摘要

The critically endangered Javanese narrow-headed soft shell turtle (Chitra chitra javanensis) in Indonesia is facing mass harvesting and intense habitat loss. These tremendous threats made Chitra sp. rarely found in the wild. Research aims to update and evaluate the soft shell turtle existence in Java Island. Field research was conducted on three large rivers across Island that flow over years (Ciliwung, Bengawan Solo, and Brantas). Data were gathered from field studies during dry season supported by questioner and paper review. During field research in three different rivers none soft shell turtle was captured and during interview with local, the authors collect data of captured soft shell turtle over 10 years. Number and size were varying but the trend was decline. Captured hatched specimen indicating success mating in the wild. Supported environment data for Chitra species was tolerance to medium water pollution. Recent finding shows the population plummeted duo to mass harvesting and land use.