PREVIEW

The nesting site of an "incredibly rare" critically endangered turtle has been discovered in India.

Researchers from the University of Portsmouth and the Zoological Society of London located a nest of the giant softshell turtle along the Chandragiri River in Kerala.

A representative from the university said the species was "known for its rarity and secretive nature", adding it had "long been a subject of fascination and concern among conservationists".

This turtle species, indigenous to the river systems of South and Southeast Asia, is classified as critically endangered.

Dr Francoise Cabada-Blanco, from the University of Portsmouth's School of Biological Sciences, said the turtle's existence was barely noticeable among all the other creatures that inhabit India's waters.

After multiple failed attempts to locate them, the team adopted a new strategy, leveraging local insights and past sightings to identify the precise location of the turtle's nesting site.

Dr Cabada-Blanco said the team was able to "engage the community really effectively", with locals sharing tales of historical sightings.

This initiative resulted in the groundbreaking discovery of a female's nest and the salvaging of eggs from nests endangered by flooding.

The rescued hatchlings were subsequently released back into the river.

It had been thought that the species was vanishing from India's waters, but there is now fresh hope that this might not be the case due to evidence of the turtles reproducing.

Cantor's giant softshell turtles live in freshwater and have been known to reach more than 1m (3ft) - about half the length of an adult bed.

They can weigh more than 100kg (220lb).

The team is now working to set up a community hatchery and nursery where the creatures can be born and looked after near where the nest site was discovered.