Swinhoe’s Soft-shell (Rafetus swinhoei)
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:16 pmTaken from another forum:
From the WCS office in Beijing , this sad news:
Dear all,
There is a bad news for you all. The male Rafetus in West Temple of Suzhou died three days ago. Until now we do not know the reason that caused his death. Three months ago Gerald and I checked him; he looked very healthy and active. I do not know what happened to him during the past three months. West Temple sent the body to Suzhou Zoo, and Suzhou Zoo will make it as a specimen. I asked the vet of Suzhou Zoo anotomise it, see if can find any valuable information. I am looking forward to further information, and if I get, I will tell you all as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Lu Shunqing
Note: This leaves two known captive specimens remaining, a female in Changsha and a male at Suzhou Zoo, see recent TSA newsletter for details. Unfortunately for political reasons, this pair is not being brought together for breeding. If this hurdle can be cleared, Gerald Kuchling and the TSA stand ready to assist with the process of bringing these turtles together under the best circumstances for captive reproduction. - Rick Hudson
Here is more info about the Turtle: http://www.asianturtlenetwork.org/field ... inhoei.htm
I beleive the chinese have already lost a native dolphin, they did practicly nothing to protect it. I wonder if the chinese turtles even have a chance..
From the WCS office in Beijing , this sad news:
Dear all,
There is a bad news for you all. The male Rafetus in West Temple of Suzhou died three days ago. Until now we do not know the reason that caused his death. Three months ago Gerald and I checked him; he looked very healthy and active. I do not know what happened to him during the past three months. West Temple sent the body to Suzhou Zoo, and Suzhou Zoo will make it as a specimen. I asked the vet of Suzhou Zoo anotomise it, see if can find any valuable information. I am looking forward to further information, and if I get, I will tell you all as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Lu Shunqing
Note: This leaves two known captive specimens remaining, a female in Changsha and a male at Suzhou Zoo, see recent TSA newsletter for details. Unfortunately for political reasons, this pair is not being brought together for breeding. If this hurdle can be cleared, Gerald Kuchling and the TSA stand ready to assist with the process of bringing these turtles together under the best circumstances for captive reproduction. - Rick Hudson
Here is more info about the Turtle: http://www.asianturtlenetwork.org/field ... inhoei.htm
I beleive the chinese have already lost a native dolphin, they did practicly nothing to protect it. I wonder if the chinese turtles even have a chance..
When I was there several years ago with my dad while he was on business, I ate fried scorpions which are considered, what else, a delicacy. 
They were *crunchy*....yum! 