Leith's Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia leithii) in Varaldevi Lake: A rare encounter and its conservation significance

Abstract: On 2nd May 2017, a sighting of Nilssonia leithii, commonly known as Leith's Softshell Turtle, was recorded at Varaldevi Lake, Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, India. The individual, measuring 49 cm in width, 78 cm in length, and weighing 57.8 kg, was rescued and subsequently released back into its natural habitat. Leith's Softshell Turtle, a large freshwater species endemic to peninsular India, can grow up to 1 meter in length. Historically, the species has been under-researched, with much of the existing knowledge being anecdotal. Found across the major rivers of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa, it faces numerous conservation challenges, including poaching, habitat loss, and fragmentation, which contribute to its vulnerable status. The species plays a critical ecological role as an omnivore, consuming a variety of food sources such as plant matter, fish, molluscs, crabs, and mosquito larvae. Notably, Leith's Softshell Turtle is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and is protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and CITES Appendix-II. This sighting is significant, as the species is rarely encountered even in protected areas. It underscores the urgent need for further research and conservation efforts to safeguard this elusive and vulnerable species, which is crucial to the health of freshwater ecosystems in India