... the Yangtze giant softshell turtle was once known from the Red River in China and Vietnam and from China’s lower Yangtze River … But the turtle died the following day. The Suzhou zoo, where the female turtle lived, also houses a male Yangtze giant softshell turtle… The last known female Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), known by her keepers as “Xiangxiang,” has passed away.She died unexpectedly on April 19th at China’s Suzhou Zoo. The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is one of the most critically endangered species in the world. China's last female Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) died on Saturday after an artificial insemination at the Suzhou Zoo in East China's Jiangsu province. There Are Only 3 of These Turtles Left on Earth. Published on Mon 15 Apr 2019 05.57 EDT. 'Last female' of rare turtle species dies in China zoo. This female Yangtze giant softshell turtle (pictured at her home at China's Suzhou Zoo) died while recovering from anesthesia on April 12, 2019. News Death of rare Yangtze giant softshell turtle leaves 3 remaining in the world. Posted April 16, 2019 11:36:20 Researchers lift a Yangtze giant softshell turtle out of the water in Suzhou. The animal was one of only four Yangtze giant softshell turtles known to exist in the world. The world's last known female Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) has died after a failed artificial insemination in Suzhou Shangfangshan Forest Zoo in eastern China's Jiangsu Province. Her tragic death followed general anesthesia for an artificial insemination procedure and leaves just three turtles of this species confirmed alive. The Yangtze giant softshell turtle, the largest freshwater turtle in the world, grows to 100cm (39in) and weighs up to 100kg (nearly 16 stone). The animal was one of four Yangtze giant softshell turtles known to be remaining in the world. Yangtze giant softshell turtles originated in China, making their homes in the Yangtze River and Taihu Lake, according to the People’s Daily. The over 90-year-old female turtle died a day after an aborted attempt at artificial insemination. by Mongabay.com on 16 April 2019 . Chinese and foreign experts artificially inseminated a female rafetus to avoid extinction of the species in east China's Jiangsu Province on Thursday. Yangtze giant softshell turtle. The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is one of the most critically endangered species in the world.