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The Yangtze titan softshell turtleneck ( Rafetus swinhoei ) is study themost critically endangeredturtlein the world , with only four known individuals leave on Earth . On Saturday ( April 13 ) , that universe cut down to three , as the metal money ' last known female die in a zoo in Suzhou , China , according to the BBC .

The captiveturtlewas more than 90 age honest-to-goodness and died concisely after an attempt to by artificial means inseminate her , the BBC reported . No complication from the insemination procedure ( which was the polo-neck ’s fifth ) were reported , and the cause of death is being enquire .

In Brief

The world’s last known female Yangtze giant softshell turtle (seen here in 2015) died at China’s Suzhou Zoo this weekend, leaving only 3 individuals of the species left on Earth.

Therare turtleis live by one male , who also lives in the Suzhou Zoo and is think to be about 100 years old . Scientists had been trying to breed the twain for years , a2018 New Yorker articlereported , but were unsuccessful due , in part , to the male person ’s discredited penis .

The world ’s net two knownR. swinhoeiturtles live in separate pool in Vietnam . Their genders are unknown . The species used to be far-flung in the smart waters of China and Vietnam , according to the New Yorker , but have dwindle down to near - extinction due to hunting and habitat loss .

This is a woefully common story . fit in to a2018 reportfrom the Zoological Society of London , turtle and tortoise account for 29 of the earth ’s 100 most endangered reptiles , " despite representing only 3.3 % of reptilian mintage richness . "

yangtze giant softshell turtle, rafetus swinhoei, turtle, endangered turtle

The world’s last known female Yangtze giant softshell turtle (seen here in 2015) died at China’s Suzhou Zoo this weekend, leaving only 3 individuals of the species left on Earth.

honest to their names , Yangtze giant softshell turtles can be huge , growing to more than 360 lbs . ( 163 kilo ) , the New Yorker cover .

Originally bring out onLive scientific discipline .

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