What it is
Rafetus swinhoei is a huge softshell turtle of large rivers and lakes in China and northern Vietnam. IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered. After the Suzhou Zoo female died in 2019 and the last confirmed wild female died at Dong Mo Lake in April 2023, only a few animals are known: a captive male in Suzhou and at least one wild turtle at Xuan Khanh, sex unconfirmed. Others may still hide; eDNA surveys are looking. That is not a breeding population.
Range
Historically the Yangtze and Red River systems. Today, a zoo in Jiangsu and a handful of lakes near Hanoi: if those animals are still alive.
What happened
Hunting and dams emptied the rivers. Captive breeding failed. Without a known fertile female, the species is functionally extinct even if a male or two remain. Claims of more animals need photographs or DNA, not hope.
When / status
Critically Endangered now. Last confirmed female: 2023.
Human role
Overharvest and river engineering left a species with almost no individuals to count.
Sources
IUCN Red List (Rafetus swinhoei, CR); Asian Turtle Program / Mongabay reports on the 2023 Dong Mo death.