Guadalajara Zoo records first captive birth of endangered turtle

A specimen of the Puerto Vallarta helmeted turtle, considered the smallest turtle species in the world, has been born at the Guadalajara Zoo in western Mexico. This event marks the first successful reproduction of the species under professional care.

The species, which reaches a length of nearly 10 centimeters, inhabits the wetlands of the Ameca River, an area spanning the states of Nayarit and Jalisco. The population is critically endangered, with an estimated remaining count of only about 300 individuals. Habitat loss due to tourism in areas like Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta, along with illegal trafficking, has contributed to their decline.

The zoo's director, Luis Soto, noted that the breeding program was made possible through the support of various organizations and the use of turtles previously seized by authorities. Because the species was only first described in 2018, biologists noted that scientific research regarding their maintenance in both the wild and professional care remains limited.