The Yangtze giant softshell (Rafetus swinhoei) is arguably the largest freshwater turtle in the world, and the most critically endangered. Little is known about the species ecology, but it is believed to have inhabited lakes and large river habitats in the lower Yangtze and the Red River, and perhaps in river basins between these two fluvial systems. Natural populations in China and Vietnam are now believed to be extinct or very close to extinction. Only five living captive specimens are known, four in China and one in Vietnam. This workshop was organized in order to address the extraordinarily urgent need to develop a conservation program for this species in China.