The Asian Turtle Program (ATP) conserves Asia's tortoises and freshwater turtles by conducting research, protecting habitats, raising awareness and building expertise, with the aim of establishing a safe and sustainable future for them, and ensuring that no further turtle species become extinct in the region.

The endangered Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is a unique species, named after its relatively large head, compared to its body size, which prevents it from retracting its head into its shell. It makes up for this reduced defence by having an armoured head with a sharp beak. Other characteristic features of this species include: a flat, smooth carapace, long thick tail and long sharp claws to help with manoeuvre in the streams and rocky areas in which it is found.

ATP/IMC has partnered with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Paignton Zoo, Nordens Ark, and the Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (CRES) as part of their Big-headed Turtle project, which is mainly funded by the Fondation Segr? Conservation Fund. The project is also supported by ZSL?s EDGE of Existence programme. The main objective of the Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) project is: assessment of release strategies for confiscated and Endangered Big-headed turtles in Vietnam.