New footage shows hundreds of thousands of baby giant South American river turtles hatching. (Source: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) / ECOVALE)

Between Brazil and Bovlia along the Guaporé River, scientists recently captured video of the world's largest turtle hatching! Conservation efforts caught the South American River turtles emerging this winter.

Conservationists say coordination between the two countries is important for the protection of the species and hope to establish some sort of protected area for them.

The Wildlife Conservation Society has been working with scientists to use technologies such as drones and thermal images in order to estimate the population of the species there. But, the hope is to be able to use artificial intelligence soon to automate the process of counting the turtles.

Check out the awesome video of these animals hatching here.

A thermal image of the leatherback sea turtle digging sand, in Phang Nga, Thailand January 14, 2023, in this screen grab taken from a handout video obtained by Reuters on January 17, 2023. Department of Marine and Coastal Resources/Handout via REUTERS

Conservation officials in Thailand recently caught an endangered Leatherback Turtle laying their eggs in a nest on drone footage.

The department said a thermal drone was able to record more information than labour-intensive human patrolling techniques, as its sensors could detect the body heat of warm-blooded animals - or more specifically the thermal differences between animals and their surrounding environment - despite the darkness.The technology was helpful in preventing noise and light from disturbing the turtles while nesting, it said.

Check out the awesome footage here.

Crocodile researcher Jonathan Triminio talking to students in BelizeJONATHAN TRIMINIO

Saving a reptile species can be a challenging in it's own right, but what if the benefits are saving an ecosystem too? The Crocodile Research Coalition is attempting to do not only that, but potentially save the world! While it seems like lofty goals, it is all butterfly effect. Or should we say Crocodile effect instead?

THe CRC has been tracking the impact of pollution on the native Morelet's Crocodiles since 2019 for impacts of local pollution on the current stable population. This research can then be used to impact not only the animals in the study, but the ecosystem as a whole. With public outreach provided to residents through the CRC, changes happen.

Dr. Marisa Tellez, Executive Director of the Crocodile Research Coalition, says that the biggest challenge at the moment is breaking down over a century of misguided information and false stereotypes about Belize’s crocodiles while simultaneously fighting against the sensationalism of TV shows and media about crocodiles.

"If we want to ensure the long-term success of any conservation program, not only do the local communities need to be educated about the Do’s and Don’ts living alongside wildlife, but they also need to know the facts, along with being involved to further pride and stewardship of one’s natural world," she says.

To read the full article, visit Forbes here!