[3] Due to its ancient origins and threatened status, it is ranked as #1 on the EDGE of Existence programme's list of priority reptiles.

[4] It is a highly evolutionary distinctive species, the only member of the ancient family Podocnemidae found outside of South America.

[8][9] This species inhabits large areas with freshwater such as permanent slow streaming rivers, backwaters and lakes.

Many of the hatching and juvenile turtles move into smaller rivers, where they can grow quickly and safely before going into deeper and larger bodies of water.

[10] The main threat for this species is that they are heavily exploited for food, caught in nets, fish traps and by hooks and lines.