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The Madagascar Big Headed Turtle is a turtle native to the waters of permanent slow moving rivers and lakes in western Madagascar. These turtles, although they are endangered (the 13th most endangered turtle, according to the top 25 most endangered turtles list, issued May of 2003)[citation needed], they are commonly eaten for food but they are still commonly shipped from Madagascar to Asia to help meet the demand of Asia's traditional medicine market. A captive breeding program has also been started to prevent the species from becoming extinct. The Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF) intends to raise USD$5.6 million to cover a five year 'Global Action Plan' which includes captive breeding and reintroduction projects, trade monitoring, new rescue centers, local conservation plans, and educational programs. A little known fact about these enigmatic creatures is that they can swim faster than any other turtle on the market. Also in some parts of asia they are raced and the losers eaten or sold at markets.
