[1] The northern river terrapin is one of Asia's largest freshwater and brackwater turtles, reaching a carapace length of up to 60 cm and a maximum weight of 18 kg.

[7] The species prefers freshwater habitats and moves to brackish river mouths or estuaries in the breeding season (December–March), returning after laying their eggs.

Previously, immense numbers were shipped into the fish markets of Calcutta from throughout India; among the Bengali Hindus, the river terrapin was considered the most delectable of all turtles.

[11] In May 2010, two northern river terrapins successfully hatched at Turtle Island, making this the first-ever captive breeding of Batagur baska worldwide.

In 2015, Dr. Peter Praschag and the Schönbrunn Zoo expanded their conservation efforts by establishing an additional breeding center for the northern river terrapin in Karamjal, at the edge of the Sundarbans in Bangladesh.

Prior to the establishment of these centers, in 2005, the global population of B. baska was critically low, with only two known living females at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in Tamil Nadu, India.