For the first time ever, a Palawan Forest Turtle (Siebenrockiella leytensis) has hatched outside its native range of Palawan, Philippines—right here at Turtle Conservancy. This extraordinary milestone reflects years of dedicated effort and the exceptional care provided by our keeper staff, who work tirelessly to meet the needs of these shy and highly sensitive turtles.

Turtle Conservancy also supports the survival of this species in the wild through a long-standing partnership with the Katala Foundation, Inc. (KFI). The Palawan Forest Turtle, only recently rediscovered and restricted to a very small range in the southern Philippines, remained a biological mystery for more than 80 years. Its existence was confirmed through the discovery of a single turtle in a Palawan market in the late 1980s, followed by the rediscovery of wild populations in 2004.

That rediscovery, however, triggered intense illegal collection for the pet trade, food, and traditional medicine. In 2015, authorities confiscated 4,124 turtles from a single warehouse (see video)—nearly 4,000 of them representing a significant portion of the species’ remaining adult population. Despite legal protection, ongoing illegal trapping and the widespread loss of lowland swamp forest—largely converted to rice paddies—continue to threaten the species.

In 2018, Turtle Conservancy and partners helped secure 1,890 acres of critical habitat in Palawan for the protection of the Palawan Forest Turtle. Led by the Katala Foundation, with support from Turtle Conservancy and partners, the land was designated by local governments as a protected watershed, creating a vital wildlife refuge.

These protected areas safeguard remaining Palawan Forest Turtle populations, prevent illegal collection, and support community-led conservation efforts. The reserve also provides essential habitat for endangered Palawan pangolins and protects peat swamp forests—among the world’s most important natural carbon sinks.

With so much of this species’ future at risk, externally managed assurance populations are critical to its long-term survival. Turtle Conservancy is proud to celebrate the first successful hatch of this species outside of its native range. We can’t stop admiring its slate-blue eyes and striking orange markings—stay tuned as this hatchling begins its journey to adulthood.