Turtles of Hong Kong
Turtles of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, April 2025
We moved to Hong Kong back in 2019 and, ironically, long periods of ‘work from home’ or no work at all during the pandemic provided us with an unprecedented opportunity to thoroughly explore different habitats in this fascinating city.
A little background on Hong Kong. It’s a special administrative region of China (which means that as a region, HK has the highest degree of - still somehow limited - autonomy from China’s central government). Hongkongers, for instance, have different passports to the Mainland Chinese and there’s border control between Hong Kong and Mainland China. The most commonly spoken language here is Cantonese, although we hear more and more Putonghua, mostly due to the increasing numbers of Mainland Chinese visitors. It is possible to communicate in English in most, especially touristy, places.
The total area of Hong Kong is just over 1,100 km2 (for comparison, London’s area is 1,570km2). Hong Kong is divided into three main areas: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Hong Kong has 24 country parks and 22 'special areas' dedicated to conservation and recreation, covering more than 40% of the land area. It’s possible to go hiking and find yourself without any phone reception and a pretty long walk from any civilisation!
In Hong Kong, there are 6* native turtle species: Reeve's turtle (Mauremys reevesii), Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum), golden coin turtle (Cuora trifasciata), Beal's four-eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei) and *(debatable) Wattle-necked softshell turtle (Palea steindachneri).
To find out more about the plight of these fascinating creatures, watch this documentary.
Reeve's turtle (Mauremys reevesii)
Mauremys reevesii inhabit ponds, reservoirs, rivers and slow-flowing streams in lowland areas. Although their webbed feet indicate a great adaptation to the aquatic environment, they can be frequently seen on land, especially when foraging for food or basking on sunny days. They used to be considered the most common turtles in Hong Kong until they were replaced well more than 3 decades ago by the invasive red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta), with which they compete for food until this day. Foraging both day and night, they feed on fish, amphibians and fruits. They breed in spring and summer; hatchlings are only 2cm in carapace length, while adults grow up to approximately 15cm of carapace length.
Endangered Globally (Source: IUCN Red List)
Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)
A predominantly carnivorous and vulnerable species due to habitat loss and collection for food (turtle soup), living in fresh and brackish waters. Since they have a long snout and tubelike nostrils, they are able to "snorkel" in shallow waters.
Interestingly, Chinese softshell turtles can secrete urea from their mouths. This adaptation helps them survive in brackish waters.
"Pelodiscus is one of the most widely distributed genera of softshell turtles, ranging from south-eastern Siberia and Korea over central and southern China to Vietnam. Economically, Pelodiscus are the most important chelonians of the world and have been bred and traded in high numbers for centuries, resulting in many populations established outside their native range. Currently, more than 300 million turtles per year are sold in China alone, and the bulk of this figure comprises farmed Pelodiscus. Due to easy availability, Pelodiscus also constitutes a model organism for physiological and embryological investigations. Yet, diversity and taxonomy of Pelodiscus are poorly understood and a comprehensive investigation using molecular tools has never been published.”
Source: Fritz et al. (2010) The world’s economically most important chelonians represent a diverse species complex (Testudines: Trionychidae: Pelodiscus).
As you can see on the photos below, their camouflage skills are pretty impressive. They grow to around 35 cm in carapace length, with their shells covered in a leathery, soft skin with no protrusions, making them really special comparing to other turtle species. They are feisty and if captured, they tend to extend their long neck in attempts to bite the predator.
Vulnerable Globally (Source: IUCN Red List)
Big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum)
Big-headed turtles are powerful creatures equipped with sharp claws, strong tail and long beak, which they use to climb slippery surfaces in rocky streams. Their climbing skills and strength are truly unique as there are records of big-headed turtles climbing vertical walls!
Even though they are found in and near streams, they are not good swimmers. Big-headed turtles are unable to retract their head into their shells since it’s simply too big. Their carapace may reach 25cm+ in length.
Sadly, this species is unsustainably harvested to supply Chinese food and traditional medicine markets, pet trade, ex situ captive breeding programs and they're particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction as they're territorial and exhibit site fidelity along stream habitats. The latter is very worrying, especially in Hong Kong, where the society demands more public housing due to the highest rent prices in the world and since HK is smaller than London, more and more wildlife habitats perish to be replaced by land development.
Platysternon megacephalum is provisionally ranked as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and listed under the Appendix 1 of the CITES; in Hong Kong, they are protected by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170) and it's a scheduled species under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586).
Critically Endangered Globally (Source: IUCN Red List)
Big headed turtle in a stream (2020)
Golden coin turtle (Cuora trifasciata)
Also known as the Chinese three-striped box turtle, it’s Hong Kong's holy grail. It took us some time to find it and once we found one, more came soon after. Typical!
Cuora trifasciata are stunning but very shy turtles. They can be found in hill and mountain streams, mostly in the evening or at night.
They are considered critically endangered by the IUCN because of their use in folk medicine and a belief that they are a talisman of good luck and prosperity (hence "golden coin"), therefore they are unsustainably poached and their sparse populations are struggling in the wild. They also easily hybridize in the wild, and hybrids may be fertile, which leads to genetic pollution and poses another threat to the survival of this species, especially that C. trifasciata and its hybrids are raised on many turtle farms China, from which they may escape or be released.
The golden coin turtle is listed as one of 25 most endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles in the world, which shows how valuable they are both for poachers and for the ecosystems where they live. C. trifasciata is distributed in China, but only on the island of Hainan (it is extirpated from the mainland Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian provinces), as well as Hong Kong (source).
Adults reach up to 25 cm in carapace length.
Critically Endangered Globally (Source: IUCN Red List)
Beal’s four-eyed turtle (Sacalia bealei)
A rather small turtle growing up to 18cm. This species is nocturnal and can be found in mountain streams, but with a preference for heavily forest-covered streams with many large stones so as to provide shelter. They feed mostly on crayfish and worms. S. bealei occurs throughout the provinces of central and Southern China.
Sadly, Beale’s four-eyed turtles are poached for use in Chinese medicine and for pet trade, they are also threatened by habitat loss. They also easily hybridise with released Sacalia spp. and the Hong Kong Reptile and Amphibian Society has also found this species is sold in pet shops in Hong Kong, with the specimens almost certainly locally caught, even though the species is locally protected. Since they lay only one vulnerable clutch of up to 6 eggs a year (often infested with ants), their fate is rather uncertain.
Pictured females and males (with red markings on their head and red eyes).
Endangered Globally (Source: IUCN Red List)
Wattle-necked softshell turtle (Palea steindachneri)
UNCLEAR WHETHER IT’S NATIVE OR NOT IN HONG KONG
P. steindachneri exhibits sexual dimorphism; females reach up to 44.5 cm in straight carapace length, while males only reach up to 36 cm. However, males have a longer tail than the females. They inhabit streams and rivers of southeastern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Yunnan), Laos, and Vietnam. Hong Kong is technically within their native range, hence it’s possible that they are native to this city.
Wattle-necked soft-shelled turtles are perfectly adapted to their environment. Their greyish soft shell not only allows them to squeeze through and under rocks in streams but it also is a brilliant camouflage - spotting them in their natural habitat is very challenging. They also have incredibly long necks which allow them to swiftly reach prey, even if it’s at a certain distance from them.
Wattle-necked soft-shelled turtles are endangered since they are poached for human consumption and traditional medicine, even though thousands of them are hatched on Chinese farms annually.
Critically Endangered Globally (Source: IUCN Red List)
Threats: “mercy” releases
23 May 2015 | Nature Conservation (source: Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden)
(…)
Mercy release activities have been common practice in Hong Kong for at least two decades. After the outbreak of avian flu, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish and seafood became the popular market animals for mercy release, although birds are still released. However, animals purchased from pet and food markets are not suitable for this activity. Many are not native to Hong Kong, and they may be injured or sick. Furthermore, the place they are released is often not the correct habitat for the animal.
One very cruel fact surrounding this activity is that many wild animals are captured specifically to be released, and for the one bird which reaches the market place 10 or more birds may already have died during transportation in crowded conditions. During capture and transportation, the animals suffer stress and may lack food and water. They are simply seen as a commodity to be bought. By the time they are once again released back into the wild, many are too weak to survive. In addition, some released animals are captive-bred species which lack skills to survive in nature. Effectively the action is similar to releasing a friendly pet dog in the middle of the wilderness to fend for itself and find food. This would not constitute a compassionate action, but many citizens that attend these activities are being misled into the belief that what they are doing is good for the animal. Also the traders have turned what was considered a compassionate activity into a commercial enterprise, reaping large sums of money from the suffering of animals.
(…)
Non-native animals may even suffer and die as the local habitats and climate in Hong Kong are unsuitable for them. KFBG staff have noted on many occasions dead and struggling animals, following release practices that have taken place in a stream near the centre. So far over 100 dead and dying turtles and frogs have been passed to the rescue centre following release in just one small stream. Rescue team staff become very upset when they see such large numbers of animals suffering after they have been purposely left behind after mercy release activities.
Uncontrolled trade in the wild animals for release could also have impacts on natural populations, and some may even disappear completely from there natural areas just to support Mercy Release activities. The wild animals have a better chance of living if there is no such trapping to meet the demand of those who want to release them. The absurdity here is that wild animals that are already wild and free do not need to be captured to become wild and free again!
(…)
The released animals can threaten the survival of native wildlife. They may spread diseases and pass parasites to native animals in nature. It has already been documented in Europe that invasive American turtles are introducing a parasite which is killing a European turtle species. Invasive species, such as the Red-eared Slider Turtle, a native North American species and a popular choice for mercy release, will compete with local species for food and shelter. In 2014, the Wild Animal Rescue Centre of KFBG received two Snapping Turtles which were captured after release into a reservoir. Snapping Turtles, originating from the United States, grow to be the largest freshwater turtle species in the world. They are extremely aggressive with strong and powerful jaws. If this species survives in the natural streams in Hong Kong, it could cause major ecological impact to local species.
Presently* there is no legislation to prevent release of purchased animals into the environment. In several countries the laws are tighter and it would be unlawful to carry out these release acts, especially with known invasive species. Taiwan recently developed new legislation which makes it illegal to release animals without permission through a permitting system managed by the Authorities. (…)
*AFCD press release from May 2023:
A spokesman for the AFCD said, "Some members of the public have engaged themselves in mercy release activities which involve releasing of animals in recent years. However, releasing animals improperly, including releasing them into an unsuitable habitat, may affect their survival. In addition, if exotic species or species that are incompatible with the local ecology are released, they may compete with native species for resources and adversely affect the local ecology. Therefore, the Government does not encourage the public to release animals."
The AFCD inspects places where animal releasing activities are likely to take place at appropriate times, and carries out publicity and education work.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169), it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to animals by releasing them improperly. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for three years upon conviction.
The spokesman reiterated that to safeguard animal welfare, members of the public must think carefully before participating in animal release activities and may also consider other options such as planting trees or participating in volunteer services with animal welfare groups and environmental protection organisations in lieu of animal release.Thursday, May 25, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:00
Source: SPCA
A “mercy” release is a religious act; many Buddhists and Taoists believe that releasing captured animals creates good karma, bringing good fortune.
However, an act that many think preserves animals’ lives can actually harm them and threatens ecological balance.
(…)
(…) Animals that are ‘popular’ for this practice are turtles, fish and frogs; their dead bodies wash up in rivers in the days after auspicious release days such as Buddha’s Birthday or Vesak Day.
The animals released into the wild can do untold harm. One example is the release of frogs infected with the deadly Chytrid fungus which threatens Hong Kong’s indigenous frog population. Another is the red-eared slider which has virtually wiped-out local turtle species.
The SPCA is campaigning hard to stop so-called “mercy” releases. It is not kind and is not part of a coherent conservation process. It is also against the law carrying a maximum three year prison sentence and a HK$200,000 fine.
Bags full of exotic bull frogs about to be released in a small stream near KFBG.
Source: KFBG website
"Mercy" releases (sic!), letting animals be "free" and getting rid of pets that keepers are bored of or cannot care for anymore is a gigantic issue all over the world. The lack of education or, what's worse, empathy leads to enormous amounts of invasive species either taking over the habitat of usually more fragile and less adaptable native animals (if an invasive species survives for a long time, they clearly are tough and likely to threaten the well-being and the very existence of native species) or dying due to the lack of appropriate habitat. Invasive species often bring deadly diseases (especially fungal) or parasites with them, decimating native populations which are unable to fight a completely alien pathogen.
Threats: abandoned / escaped pets and gene pollution
While roaming Hong Kong country parks we, during almost every single outing, spot large amounts of invasive animal species. This is especially true for turtles. Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) can be found in most streams in Hong Kong and if you ever go for a walk by a stream, it is likely you will see one basking in the sun. This species is extremely successful at surviving almost everywhere on our planet - as popular pets, they are bought by many wannabe pet keepers who then dump them in the forest or by a river, often thinking they are doing a good deed. Since red-eared sliders are semiaquatic, some people choose to release them in the sea while going on a boat trip. You can guess what happens to such an animal, used to living in a freshwater environment and requiring access to land.
Other released turtle species include Cyclemys dentata, Cyclemys pulchristriata, Mauremys mutica, Mauremys sp. (Mauremys reevesii X Mauremys sinensis), Pelusios sp., Sacalia quadriocellata and Trachemys scripta ssp. scripta.
This list, sadly, doesn’t even begin to cover the number of invasive species inhabiting freshwater habitats in Hong Kong; they are all released as part of ‘mercy’ release activities or are abandoned by their owners.
Quite a few of them also tend to hybridise with native Hong Kong species, irrevocably polluting their gene pool.
More threats: poaching, habitat destruction, health concerns
"We can now destroy or we can cherish, the choice is ours.”
Sir David Attenborough
Turtle trap in a stream in Hong Kong
If you're in Hong Kong, please report animal traps using 1823 app and/or directly to AFCD.
You may also call 999 if you witness illegal poaching activities in person. Let the authorities know you care.
In August 2022, when hiking a stream, we found two turtle traps. One of them with a juvenile big-headed turtle inside (along with a Hong Kong newt and rubbish, which just further illustrates the state of streams here). The turtle and newt were released, the traps destroyed and reported (AFCD usually sends someone to collect the trap and set up a sign warning poachers their illegal activites may lead to a fine or imprisonment - see pictures below) but this is not the first time this has happened, and the traps are there every single time we visit.
A big-headed turtle (juvenile) captured in a stream trap in Hong Kong
It gets worse though. The largest big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) we have ever encountered in Hong Kong was found dead on that day. He was healthy and managed to avoid poachers all his life; it was a piece of cloth dumped into the stream that got tangled around his neck and suffocated him. Such a beautiful creature, and such a terrible death and huge loss to the stream, the future of which is uncertain anyway (as of April 2025, the said stream is destined to be almost completely destroyed to make place for a public housing estate). Another senseless tragedy in the world of voiceless creatures.
Turtles in Hong Kong are illegally captured for food, to be sold as pets or for their unproven medical properties.
As stated in Hong Kong: The Last Frontier (香港的淡水龜 | Hong Kong's Freshwater Turtles, these animals are silently fading away from the wild. In fact, less than 10% of the historical population presently persists in the wild. All Hong Kong species are classified as globally “Endangered” or “Critically Endangered” by the Turtle Taxonomy Working Group. Surrounding regions that once had thriving populations such as Vietnam or mainland China have now been depleted by poachers and habitat destruction. This means that Hong Kong may be the last frontier for the survival of these wild turtles.
Sadly, the society of Hong Kong demands more and more public housing due to the highest rent prices in the world and since HK is smaller than London, more and more wildlife habitats perish to be replaced by land development.
Luckily, people like Dr. Sung Yik Hei, Assistant Professor, Science Unit, Lingnan University, and his amazing team have been working tirelessly for the conservation of local freshwater turtles for the past 15+ years. Their work includes, but is not limited to, regular assessment and marking of Hong Kong turtles, setting up trail cameras to track poachers, educating the public about the plight of turtles and consistent research helping us understand more about the secret life of these special creatures.
As mentioned above, one of the reasons wild turtles are poached is for food and this has also proven to pose a threat to the public health.
A study on turtles sold for food in wet markets across Hong Kong revealed a high prevalence and remarkable serotype diversity of Salmonella enterica. Resistance to streptomycin and chloramphenicol was common, despite the latter being banned from aquaculture in mainland China since 2002. Antimicrobial resistance against (...) first-line treatment options for salmonellosis was also observed. (...)
The results of this study emphasize the need for close surveillance of Salmonella from turtles sold as food and better regulation of turtle farming to safeguard public health and improve animal welfare.
An interesting study with implications for turtles sold on pet markets as well, many of which are handled and often even kissed (!) by humans - usually young children - caring for them.
It has even further implications for the wildlife, as such turtles are often abandoned (or "mercy" released) and come in contact with wild animals.
Colon, V.A. (2022) Serotype Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Salmonella enterica Isolates From Freshwater Turtles Sold for Human Consumption in Wet Markets in Hong Kong.
Summary
Turtles are one of the most poached groups of animals on our planet and they don’t receive as much attention as they deserve, probably because they are not considered cute by the vast majority of our modern society and they lose to 'fluffy’ pets since they aren’t vocal enough. They do suffer though, and they do so in silence. Those who care about their survival have to become their voice, otherwise future generations won’t be able to appreciate these precious animals in the wild anymore.
References and useful resources
Karsen, S.J., Lau, M.W.N. and Bogadek, A. (1998). Hong Kong Amphibians and Reptiles (2nd Edition). Hong Kong: A Provisional Urban Council Publication
Francis, A. (2022) A field guide to the turtles of Hong Kong.
Freshwater Species: Hong Kong (mobile app by Freshwater Collective)
