Species information
Scientific name: Geoemyda japonica
Japanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメ
Chinese name: 琉球地龜、琉球黑胸葉龜
English name: Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle
Origin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima
Ecology and description
Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle’s close relative is the turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) found in China and Vietnam, which was originally considered a subspecies until it was recognized as a separate species in 1992. The beautiful Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle is often targeted by poachers. Although it was designated as a CITES species after 2013, preventing commercial export, poaching incidents are still occasionally reported. Additionally, Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle in the wild has seen rapid population decline in recent years due to habitat destruction, poisoning from pesticides, falling into roadside drainage, predation by feral cats and dogs, and roadkill.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Due to poaching leading to a sharp decline in population, sightings of this species are rare.
Related News
2019/5/8Japanese Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Smuggling Turtles in Hong KongPoachingPolicyOkinawa Island (other)Other
In October 2018, Naoki Hiraguchi, a 43-year-old Japanese man, was caught smuggling 60 Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtles, a Japanese natural monument, into Hong Kong. He was sentenced to one year in prison by a Hong Kong court for violating endangered species protection laws. The defense claimed it was for a friend's pet purpose, but the judge deemed it malicious with commercial intent. The turtles, native to Okinawa Island, Kumejima, and Tokashikijima, are rare and endangered, protected under the Washington Convention since 2013. One turtle died naturally during protection in Hong Kong, but 59 were returned to Japan in March.
Source：香港でのビジネス進出や会社運営サポートは香港BS ↗