2 Vietnam turtles among 25 most threatened

Published: 27/02/2011 05:00

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VietNamNet Bridge - Two turtles found in Vietnam are listed among the world’s 25 most endangered by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Turtle Conservation Coalition.

The Red River giant softshell turtle and the Annam pond turtle are included in the list, according to a report issued Monday.

With only four individuals remaining alive anywhere in the world, the Red River giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) is one of the most threatened of all species.


Wildlife Conservation Society veterinarians have been working with Chinese officials and other partners to breed the last known pair of these giant turtles, currently held at China’s Suzhou Zoo.


One lone reptile in Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi is revered as a symbol of Vietnam’s independence.


The last animal remaining in the wild – also in Vietnam – escaped death when the reservoir it lives in burst in November 2008, washing it downriver. The turtle was caught by a fisherman who only released him after protracted negotiations with conservationists.

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The Annam pond turtle (Mauremys annamensis), a species restricted to the marshy wetlands of central Vietnam, was hunted down in the 1990s to supply the Chinese cooking trade, and only a handful are now left in the wild.

There are large populations in captivity. They breed well and their repatriation to Vietnam as a first step towards reintroduction has already begun.


According to the report, 17 of the 25 species are found in Asia, three each in South America and Africa, and one each in Australia and Central America.

They include “Lonesome George” – the only remaining Abdington Island giant tortoise. Though there is still scientific disagreement as to whether it is a recognized species or a subspecies of the Galápagos tortoise, all agree it is the last of its kind.


Illegal hunting in Asia for food, pets, and traditional medicines is a particular problem, the report said.


Source: Tuoi Tre

Provide by Vietnam Travel

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