The Nubian flapshell turtle is Africa’s rarest turtle and one of the most endangered species globally, classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. This large freshwater turtle has disappeared from its former range and was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 2017. Today’s surveys reveal only a handful of small, fragmented populations remaining in the White Nile and surrounding waters of South Sudan and northern Uganda.

Decades of conflict in the Nile Basin have severely degraded wetlands, weakened law enforcement, and increased human reliance on aquatic resources, placing the turtle in the crosshairs of local fishers. The presence of refugee settlements along the White Nile intensifies fishing pressure on this vulnerable species.

With funding from the MBZ Fund supported by Dolphin Energy, conservationist Luca Luiselli and his team are actively engaging with these communities through interviews to assess threats and population status. Their efforts aim to raise awareness and develop a realistic protection strategy for the Nubian flapshell turtle, ensuring a chance for its survival.