Nile Soft-Shelled Terrapin rescue - Congo river,Soyo, Angola

[nyami]

"Tartaruga anormal" This was the description I received from one of our boat crews who, while out on patrol on the Congo river, had come across a "turtle" floundering on the surface. The "turtle" was tangled up in fishing line and had a large hook embedded in its mouth. So they loaded the "tartaruga anormal" onto the boat and brought it back to the dock.

When I received the call I was expecting either a Green Turtle or Olive Ridley but to my surprise the "tartaruga anormal" turned out to be an adult Nile soft -shelled terrapin (Trionyx triunguis). I have worked in Northern Angola for many years and in all this time have only seen one dead juvenile so I was ecstatic to see this animal.

I managed to remove the hook without to much trouble and fortunately there was little damage to the terrapin. After a thorough examination and a quick photo session I released her back into the river to swim another day!

What an awesome creature!! Please check out my blog at tim-baynham-photography.com where I will be posting more of my wildlife encounters.

[Mitton]

Such weird looking animals. A very nice find.
Will certainly follow your blog.

[Westley Price]

Amazing man, what an experience!

I have often looked at pictures of this species in books and thought how amazing it would be to encounter one...and now you know

Thanx for sharing.

[nyami]

Thanks Mitton,
Certainly was a privilege to interact with this animal!

[Ruan Stander]

Wonderful find, glad it was unharmed.

[Bushviper]

I am amazed it has not been poached for food yet. Glad you could get it back into the wild unharmed.

[nyami]

BV, I have no doubt it would have been "turtle soup" had our boat crew not found it first.