Now you know: Chinese softshell turtle introduction in the Philippines is prohibited

Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis Wiegmann, 1835) is a native of parts of China, Vietnam, Japan, North Korea and Russia and have been introduced in different parts of Southeast Asia and the United States of America.

Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) in its natural
habitat. Photo taken from Arkive.

This turtle's natural populations was assessed by the IUCN as vulnerable (VU) although there is evidence that it is massively farmed in China (Haitao, et al., 2008). In the Philippines, it has proliferated in wetlands and aquaculture areas particularly in Pampanga region (Region 3) and has probably established populations in Rizal, Bulacan, Laguna, Nueva Ecija and Mindoro. It has been considered a threat to local biodiversity and a pest to the multi-million fishing industry of Central Luzon.