Turtles We Thought Were Gone but Weren’t

Sometimes nature pulls off the ultimate twist: an animal we thought was extinct shows up alive. Turtles and tortoises have done this more than once.

These slow, ancient creatures have a way of hiding where no one expects.

And when they reappear, they remind us not to give up too soon.

This post dives into some of the most surprising rediscoveries of turtles and tortoises that once vanished from the map.

Fernandina Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis phantasticus)

The Fernandina Giant Tortoise was believed to be extinct for more than 100 years. The last confirmed sighting was way back in 1906 on Fernandina Island in the Galápagos.

Then, in 2019, something crazy happened. A single female tortoise was found alive during a scientific expedition. She was hiding in dense vegetation, surrounded by signs that other tortoises might still be out there — like tracks and bite marks on cactus.

Scientists later ran DNA tests. In 2021, they confirmed she’s the same species as the one seen in 1906 — Chelonoidis phantasticus.

This rediscovery shocked the scientific world. People had written the species off for good. Now, the search is on to find a male so they can start a breeding program and maybe save the species from disappearing forever.

It’s one of the most dramatic “back from the dead” stories in turtle history.

Learn More About This Species: Chelonoidis phantasticus (Fernandina Giant Tortoise)

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Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans)

The Black Softshell Turtle was once thought to be extinct in the wild. For years, it was only known to survive in temple ponds in places like Assam, India, and Chittagong, Bangladesh.

People believed those were just leftover captives, not part of any wild population. The IUCN even listed it as extinct in the wild.

But then researchers started looking closer. They realized those temple turtles were still breeding. And in some cases, a few had slipped out into nearby rivers and wetlands.

The reason they survived? Locals considered them sacred. Many didn’t even know the turtles were rare. The temples became accidental sanctuaries.

Now, with help from conservation groups, these turtles are being bred and slowly reintroduced into protected habitats. It’s a rare case where religion helped keep a species alive — when science had already given up.

Learn More About This Species: Nilssonia nigricans (Black Softshell Turtle)

Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei)

The Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle is one of the rarest turtles in the world. For a long time, people believed there were only two left — one in China and one in Vietnam.

Then things got worse. In 2019, the only known female in China died during a last-chance breeding attempt. That left just one confirmed male in China, and possibly one or two in Vietnam, but no one was sure if they were still alive.

Everything changed in 2023. A wild male was confirmed in Dong Mo Lake, Vietnam. Even better — there were signs of at least one more turtle nearby.

This discovery gave researchers new hope. If they can find a female and both turtles are healthy, there’s still a chance to save the species.

It’s a race against time, but this surprise find shows the species isn’t gone yet.

Learn More About This Species: Rafetus swinhoei (Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle)

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Northern River Terrapin (Batagur baska)

The Northern River Terrapin was nearly wiped out. Poaching, egg collection, and habitat loss pushed it to the edge in Bangladesh and India. For years, no one saw them in the wild. Many thought they were already gone.

But small groups were quietly surviving in remote rivers. Some were even being protected by local villagers without realizing how rare they were.

In the early 2000s, conservationists found a few of them — mostly old males — and started a rescue project. A handful of females were later discovered too, which was a huge deal for breeding.

Now, captive breeding centers are working to bring the species back. Hatchlings are being raised in safe areas, and plans are in motion to reintroduce them into the wild.

It’s still a tough road ahead, but this terrapin’s story is proof that even when a species seems gone, it might just be holding on in places we’re not looking.

Learn More About This Species: Batagur baska (Northern river terrapin)

“Lost” Madagascar Big-Headed Turtle (Erymnochelys madagascariensis)

The Madagascar Big-Headed Turtle isn’t globally extinct, but for a while, many feared it had vanished from parts of its range. Its numbers crashed due to habitat destruction, hunting, and illegal trade.

People went years without spotting one in the wild. Some researchers worried it might already be gone from key river systems in Madagascar.

Then came the surprise. Small, scattered populations were found in remote wetlands — places hard to reach and mostly ignored. Locals had quietly been catching glimpses of them the whole time.

Now, conservation groups are teaming up with villages to protect these last strongholds. There’s also a breeding program in place to help boost their numbers.

The big-headed turtle is still in trouble, but it’s not gone. Its rediscovery in hidden pockets gave conservationists something rare: a second chance.

Learn More About This Species: Erymnochelys madagascariensis (Madagascan Big-headed Turtle)

These rediscoveries aren’t just feel-good stories. They’re warnings too. Some of these animals came back from the edge—but they’re not out of danger yet.

We only get one more shot with them. And if we blow it, there’s no second rediscovery.