Also known locally as taricaya turtles, the yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle has evolved differently from other species; they protect themselves by folding their necks to the side under their shell (rather than retracting them backward into the shell).
Currently listed as vulnerable, it seems that everybody wants to get their hands on the taricaya turtle. Taricaya hatchlings and juveniles are at high risk of predation by birds, snakes, large fish, frogs, mammals, and humans. The turtles are especially vulnerable to illegal egg poaching.
Since 2012, Aqua Expeditions has been part of the Taricaya Turtle Project in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Working closely with authorities at the Reserve, we have overseen the incubation of eggs and, with the help of our guests aboard the Aria Amazon, released more than 1400 hatchlings safely into the wild. Guests can also “adopt” a turtle for US$5, the proceeds of which will help to fund this project together with our financial contribution