Deep in the Amazon, on the Guaropé River that marks the border between Brazil and Bolivia, a group of conservationists made a historic discovery. There, they found more than 41,000 South American giant river turtles gathered in a single nesting area. This discovery breaks a world record and opens a key opportunity to protect an endangered species.
The Arrau turtle, also known as the Amazon giant turtle, is the largest freshwater reptile in Latin America. It feeds on vegetation and makes seasonal migrations to reach the beaches where it lays its eggs, forming spectacular concentrations that, until now, hadn't been documented on such a scale.
The challenge of counting them
For years, attempts to estimate the actual number of turtles in these aggregations faced technical and logistical problems. Traditional counting methods, based on direct observation, had two major problems. Sometimes not all the turtles were present and, in other cases, the same one could be counted more than once.
This caused inconsistent figures that made it difficult to assess the actual status of the species and, therefore, to implement effective conservation measures.
An innovative method
To solve these challenges, a team of researchers from the University of Florida developed a completely new approach. The first stage consisted of marking the shells of 1,200 turtles with white paint, thus creating a controlled sample to serve as a reference. Then, drones were used for 12 days, with four flights per day capturing about 1,500 images per flight.
From this material, the scientists applied a probability-based statistical model designed to avoid both duplicate counting and missing individuals absent at specific times. The result was clear: 41,000 turtles, the largest freshwater concentration ever recorded in the world.
Implications for conservation
This scientific achievement goes far beyond a simple record figure. The new method opens the door to more reliable studies on turtle populations in other Amazonian countries such as Colombia, Peru, or Venezuela. Having accurate data will make it possible to establish more effective conservation strategies, detect behavioral patterns, and assess the impact of threats such as illegal hunting or habitat destruction.
However, the discovery is also a reminder of the fragility of these populations. Although 41,000 individuals may seem like a huge number, human pressures and changes in the ecosystem can drastically reduce it if firm and ongoing measures aren't taken. The Amazon has revealed a hidden treasure for years; now the challenge is to ensure that this natural spectacle endures generation after generation.