It is believed to be endemic to Yunnan, China (in Kunming and Huize) and was suspected to be extinct since the early 20th century; the last verified specimen was collected in 1940.

The validity of these specimens was doubted and many believed they were intentionally produced hybrids,[5] a common technique in China to produce turtles that get high prices.

In 2008, Kadoorie Conservation China, a department of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, together with the Kunming Institute of Zoology and Chinese Academy of Sciences, discovered a small wild population.

The distribution of this species remains unclear, but due to its value, it is heavily sought after.

Protection measures are needed to save this probably highly endangered species from its return onto the IUCN list of extinct animals.