VietNamNet Bridge
- ’Extinct’ River Terrapin (Batagur baska) was recently discovered in the Suoi Tien
Park by a wildlife expert

Rare giant river turtle, thought to be extinct in Vietnam, has been discovered in a Ho Chi Minh City theme
park.

River Terrapin (Batagur baska), listed in the “critically
endangered” International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, has
been found in the Suoi Tien Park, the newswire said.

The turtle was found by Nguyen Vu Khoi, director of the
HCMC-based Wildlife At Risk, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting
biodiversity by combating illegal wildlife trade and promoting conservation of
endangered species and their habitats.

A book on reptiles and amphibians, published by scientists
Nguyen Van Sang, Ho Thu Cuc and Nguyen Quang Truong in 2009, had proclaimed the
Batagur baska extinct in the wild.

Nguyen Dinh Cuong, head of the HCMC Forest Management
Department, said his organization would conduct tests to confirm whether the
turtle is indeed Batagur baska.

If found to the rare River Terrapin, the turtle would be
released into the wild, said Cuong.

VietNamNet/Thanh Nien