Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

Within just 350 square miles, crystal-clear springs and wetlands shelter more than 70 species found nowhere else on Earth, including three critically endangered turtles: the Cuatro Ciénegas Slider, the Coahuilan Box Turtle, and the Black Spiny Softshell.

Our partners at The Turtle Conservancy invited Hussain Aga Khan and members of our board to join a short expedition to document these incredible, resilient turtles. Across six days, Hussain captured images of all three species—along with rare endemic fish—to help raise awareness for The Turtle Conservancy’s efforts to protect this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar site.

The threats to these turtles are urgent. Water extraction for agriculture in nearby valleys—used primarily for alfalfa for dairy cow feed—looms large as the biggest threat, alongside habitat degradation. Even feral horses jeopardise the survival of these ancient turtles—which lay their eggs along the edges of the water—when herds come through and inadvertently destroy nests and even juvenile turtles.

Scientists suggest there are fewer than 1,000 remaining sliders and fewer than 1,500 box turtles. The population of the softshells is unknown.

Prince Hussain Aga Khan participated in a field expedition with The Turtle Conservancy to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico, to photograph and raise awareness about the region's highly endangered native turtles.

The expedition, which also included members of the Turtle Conservancy's board, aimed to document three specific species of turtles: the Cuatro Ciénegas slider, the Coahuilan box turtle, and the softshell turtle. Over six days, Prince Hussain captured images of these turtles and rare endemic fish to highlight the urgent threats they face, such as water extraction for agriculture and habitat degradation from feral horses.

Prince Hussain Aga Khan is a dedicated conservationist and photographer who uses his work to promote the protection of threatened species and their ecosystems. His work with the Turtle Conservancy is part of a broader effort through his non-profit organization, Focused On Nature (FON), to support conservation projects globally.

You can learn more about The Turtle Conservancy and their work on their official website, and view some of Prince Hussain's conservation photography through his organization The Turtle Conservancy or Focused On Nature.