It is a turtle with a soft shell, thence also called African softshell turtle, which is about 1 metre in size.

There are no crocodiles, but the African softshell turtle has been recorded near the Blue Nile outflow from the lake.

Despite the name African softshell turtle, it is not the only species or genus of softshell turtle in Africa (the genera Cyclanorbis and Cycloderma are also African).

The rich communities of oysters, crabs, invertebrates and the great variety of fish sheltering and spawning in the mangroves sustain animal life including monkeys, African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), and turtles like the African softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis).

Nile softshell turtle, Fly River turtle, mata mata turtle, Electric eel, Red bellied piranha, and Archer fish (See list).

In the past many species in the family were classified in this genus, but today T. triunguis, the African or Nile softshell turtle, is the only extant softshell still classified as Trionyx.

The pavilion opened in early 2011, with new exhibits for pygmy hippos, red river hogs, nile softshell turtle, and lemurs instead of the mandrills, as well as a variety of exhibits for fish and reptiles.

This is a location where the Nile turtle (Trionyx triunguis) can be spotted.

The rich communities of oysters, crabs, invertebrates and the great variety of fish sheltering and spawning in the mangroves sustain animal life including monkeys, African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), and turtles like the African softshell turtle (Trionyx triunguis).