PUDTOL, Apayao – A critically endangered freshwater turtle is being rehabilitated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Calanasan, this province, after it was rescued in Barangay Capanikkian here Thursday.

Known as the Cantor’s giant softshell turtle or frog-faced soft-shelled turtle, the rescued turtle weighs 10 kilograms and is about 47 centimeters long, Dorothy Joy Cayaba, officer-in-charge of CENRO-Calanasan, told the Philippine News Agency on Friday.

Cantor’s giant softshell turtles are classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to their declining population.

They are also listed as a threatened species under DENR Administrative Order 2019-09, which updates the national list of threatened Philippine fauna and categories.

According to experts, the giant turtle can reach a length of at least 1.7 meters and weigh at least 250 kilograms.

Cayaba said this is the first time they have documented this species in the Apayao River after it was accidentally caught by a local fisherman along the river's tributaries.

“The concerned resident voluntarily handed the turtle to DENR authorities after catching it while fishing. This prompt action helped the wildlife receive care, highlighting increasing community awareness and cooperation in safeguarding biodiversity,” Cayaba said.

The turtle was initially examined by the Apayao Provincial Veterinary Office and was later transported to the Laoag Veterinary Clinic for further medical assessments.

During the assessment, it was found that the turtle was carrying eggs, showing that the species is still reproducing in the river system.

"The presence of this species in the Apayao River underscores the ecological importance and biodiversity of the Biosphere Reserve of the Apayao (BRyA) – a globally recognized landscape for its pristine ecosystems, abundant rivers, and diverse wildlife," the CENRO Calanasan said in a statement.