I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity to be a nominee. Our project is protecting the critically endangered Asian giant softshell turtle, with fewer than 200 individuals left in the wild in China.
Announcing the 2026 Future For Nature Awards Nominees! – Future For Nature
The Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) is listed among the most threatened turtles in the world, with fewer than 200 wild individuals remaining. Our work in China to conserve this critically endangered Asian giant softshell turtle. The main problem for these freshwater turtles is the catastrophic decline in their population due to the loss of crucial breeding grounds through sand mining and dam construction.
Born and raised in Ukraine, I started her conservation journey in 2015 with reptile conservation and gained international recognition. However, the war forced her to leave Ukraine in 2022. I did not want to give up and rebuilt her career in China. Her most impactful contribution is the increase in the survival rate of young turtles from less than 10% to more than 90%. In addition, released animals show a 264% weight gain upon reintroduction.
The FFN Award would be transformative for Pelochelys cantorii conservation and create a replicable model for turtle conservation across Asia. If she wins, she will establish a new wild release site in Zhejiang Province, including habitat assessments and monitoring equipment. It would also be used to develop mobile incubation units to protect vulnerable nests in remote areas. In addition, an educational programme called ‘Guardians of the Giant Turtle’ would be set up to train local fishermen to become conservation monitors, thereby creating sustainable protection networks.
