Turtle is legendary in Vietnam, but it’s on the verge of extinction
The Yangtze soft-shell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) is likely the most endangered turtle species on the face of the earth, with only two left in existence, which reside in captivity at Suzhou Zoo in China. The third turtle which lived in Hoan Kiem Lake, caused great media attention as it was revered by the Vietnamese as an important aspect of their mythology. Up until 25 years ago, the species was a common sight on the border of China and Vietnam, but they have now been hunted to almost extinction as well as harmed by modernization. Tension between Vietnam and China creates a questionable future for this species on the brink. Nguyen Van Trong works for the project attempting to save the turtles and was a fisherman in his earlier years. He believes there is hope that there may be more if its kind, since he has reported sightings in the large Dong Mo reservoir. Project director Tim McCormack and Hoang Van Ha reported a sighting of the last remaining wild specimen in 2008 after a flood had washed the turtle downstream. A rice farmer had found the turtle in the rice patty and refused an offer of $2000, preferring to abide by the laws regarding endangered species. The turtle project, however, recompensed the farmer for the damage. It was debated where the turtle should be sent, as some said Vietnam’s leaders would want to transport it to Hoan Kiem, and others said it should be sent to China. Pham Xuan Tu, a fisherman who manages the Dong Mo fishery and who previously thought of the species as an annoyance, now assists with efforts to save the species. Although the last remaining wild Rafetus is gone, the legend in Vietnam lives on.
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Crime & Punishment
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Counsel Tiberius Mocanu abandones court case
Miscellany
Tortoise found wandering the streets
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Tortoise event to be held at Oxford
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Did You Know…
“Tales from the Thebaide: Reflections of a Turtleman”
One of the books selected in Pondcast episode 23 by Dr. Peter Pritchard, Oxford scholar, conservationist, world traveler, and Renaissance man, is a multifaceted expert on turtles and tortoises.
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Photo from vietnamnet.vn.
