The southern river terrapin (Batagur affinis)[3] is a riverine turtle of the family Geoemydidae found in Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.

Locals in Malaysia colloquially refer to the species as "tuntung" due to repetitive sounds made from the terrapin's plastron packing sand during nest construction.

Females and juveniles on the east coast of Malaysia display similar coloring except they possess a silver patch on the side of the head behind the eyes.

On the west coast, non-breeding males appear a darker olive-brown on their scales and shell compared to females and possess a yellow iris.

During breeding season males have bright white irises with a dark cornea and a black body including the head, neck, limbs and carapace.

At the back of the head, numerous irregularly shaped scales cover the surface.The southern river terrapin's most distinctive physical feature is its upturned nostrils.

Nesting occurs during the dry season which ranges from November to March when the sand banks face lower river levels.

Many Asian turtles are in danger because of the thriving trade in animals in the region, where a species' rarity can add to its value on a menu or as a traditional medicine.

Specifically, they face deforestation, tin and sand mining, dam building, and erosion control methods which negative impact nesting areas and food resources.

This plant invades nesting beaches of river terrapins at a rapid rate and has left populations with less land to lay their eggs.

When the Japanese occupied Malaysia during World War II a large quantity of eggs and individual terrapins were eaten to sustain humans.

Conservationists eventually began tagging the animals with tracking devices and monitoring their nests, and King Norodom Sihamoni personally ordered their protection.

[10] In July 2015, conservationists in Cambodia cautiously stated that efforts to bring back the species from the brink of extinction were having some success.

A number of turtles, including breeding pairs, have been moved from enclosed areas into their intended home, the rivers and shores of Koh Kong where, it is hoped – with the ongoing monitoring and protection of locals and conservationists – they will begin to flourish.

[12] The Malaysian government has established hatcheries and licensed egg collectors, who take from certain permitted areas so that terrapin populations can have high turn over rate to ensure the survival of the species.

[13] In Malaysia, rivers of Kedah, Perak and Terengganu are major nesting grounds though the population continues to crash despite conservation efforts undertaken by Malaysian Wildlife Department for over 20 years.

Today, facilities located in Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand possess adults for the purpose of eventual release when reintroduction may be necessary to maintain wild populations as they continue to disappear.