Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre, Kratie (2024) - Images, Timings

Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre, Kratie Overview

Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre (MTCC) is located near Kratie in Cambodia. It is an establishment for the conservation of the endangered Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle and is one of the popular tourist attractions among the travelers in Kratie, where people can take up Turtle conservation tours to see the hatchlings grow.

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Mekong Turtle Conservation Center History & Significance

After feared to be extinct, a few of the Giant Softshell Turtles were rediscovered in 2007, which led to the establishment of the centre by Conservation International organization. The MTCC was started in 2011 in Wat SorSor Muoy Roy, a 480-year old pillar pagoda north of Kratie town in Sambor district.

There is a large pond wherein the eggs are brought, and visitors can see baby turtles and get to learn about the hatchling collection and incubation in the tour. Eggs are collected from the riverbanks and are released into the wild after ten months of nurturing. The giant freshwater turtles grow up to 2 meters.

How To Reach Mekong Turtle Conservation Centre

You can reach the Mekong Turtle Conservation centre by a Tuk-Tuk which costs about 15 USD For a round trip. You can also get there by rent a bike for about 10 USD per day. It takes about 35 minutes to reach from Kratie town centre.