Historically, the Nubian flapshell turtle has been found in Ghana, Northern Togo, and Central Nigeria, but South Sudan is currently thought to be its last remaining location.

With only ten observed sightings of the species in the past 50 years, scientists regard it as the most threatened turtle on Earth. The species was previously presumed extinct until Luca Luiselli and his team rediscovered it in 2017. Since then they have been studying its distribution, population size, conservation status and potential threats.

The main threat to this rare turtle is hunting for subsistence and traditional medicine, with locals believing it increases longevity. There is also the expatriate Chinese element, who have been known to pay up to $450 for large turtles for both food and religious veneration. This appears to be the main market, giving a strong incentive to the impoverished fishing communities along the White Nile. It has also been suggested by locals that the Chinese also export the turtles to Asia for food trade.

With a grant of $12,000 Professor Luiselli and his team are working to protect the only two known nesting sites through community-based patrolling and by carrying out additional surveys for breeding sites in unexplored areas.

Professor Luiselli and his team recommend the creation of a protected area for this species, with the establishment of a captive assurance colony, as well as monitoring and mitigating the potential detrimental effects that the Asian export market may have. Working jointly with riverine communities to enlist their collaboration with a conservation program is key. This could be done with the use of monetary incentives for live specimens that can be of use for further scientific analysis. The fight continues to save this magnificent species of turtle!