WCS is combining the efforts of its country programs in Bolivia and Brazil to develop a coordinated multi-national push to conserve this key population of the great South American river turtle, which used to number in the millions, but the population has been declining due to historical over-harvest for oil, meat, and trade. WCS conservationists are working to protect the turtle in collaboration with Ecovale, the Versalles community in Bolivia, environmental agencies from both countries, and local people. WCS and partners have begun using drones to count adult turtles.
