Threats to Podocnemis unifilis include the taking of eggs from nesting sites, disturbance of nesting sites and some hunting especially of the female turtles.
Podocnemis unifilis is distributed in the river systems of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.
Podocnemis unifilis is considered as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List. CITES lists the species as "Appendix 2".