Kinosternon dunni, commonly known as Dunn’s mud turtle, is one of the most difficult to see species in Colombia. Endemic to that country, to-date it has been reported in a few localities in the Department of Chocó (San Juan, Baudó and Docampadó Rivers). It is semi-aquatic: lives in marshy areas (Rentería-Moreno et al. 2012) and small streams (Forero-Medina et al. 2012).
It faces several threats, the major being the destruction and pollution of its habitat due to human activities related with timber extraction and intensive mining (Castaño-Mora 2002). As it is a rare species with a rapidly deteriorating habitat, it is classified as vulnerable.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) have worked with local investigators to better understand the distribution of Kinosternon dunni, its habitat requirements and its threats. In 2012, individuals of the species were found in a previously unknown locality in the department of Chocó, increasing its range of distribution (Rentería-Moreno et al. 2012). However, due to information gaps on Dunn’s mud turtle, further investigation allowing an evaluation of its true state of conservation, is required.