Apart from direct threats from man, the old turtle in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake is being menaced by red-eared turtles, one of the worst invasive species in the world.

A red-eared in Hoan Kiem Lake.

Though they are much smaller, this species has become a real threat as more and more red-eared turtles have been released into Hoan Kiem Lake.

Prof. Ha Dinh Duc, who is considered the top researcher about Hoan Kiem lake and the ancient turtle, confirmed that red-eared turtles are a big threat to the old turtle’s cooking sources because they eat everything.

Duc warned that, in several dozens of years, these turtles may eat all the algae in the lake and compete with the ancient turtle for food.

According to Prof. Duc, among the species of turtles living in Hoan Kiem Lake, red-eared turtles are the in highest number.

This species was discovered in Hoan Kiem Lake in 1997. Since then the number of red-eared turtles has been rising as people set free red-eared turtles during traditional holidays.

In 2004 Prof. Duc proposed to destroy these dangerous turtles before they cause long-term damage to Hoan Kiem Lake and perhaps the legendary turtle.

PV