China proposes cooperation to breed Hoan Kiem turtles

The Ministry of Agriculture believes that this cooperation is a good opportunity to preserve the world's rarest turtle.

On July 23, the representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that there was a document sent to the Hanoi People's Committee, after the Chinese CITES Agency proposed to cooperate in the conservation of soft-shell turtle Rafetus swinhoei, also called a turtle Hoan Kiem in May.

Hoan Kiem Turtle was rescued after the break of Dong Mo dam, Hanoi in 2008. (Photo: ATP).

"Cooperation with China is a good and feasible opportunity to propagate and conserve this species, but the specialized agencies of the two countries need to discuss in detail the technique and terms before implementation." The text of the Ministry stated.

The ministry also asked Hanoi to hand over the authorities to develop projects, organize conservation and development activities for Hoan Kiem turtles.

The proposal received the approval of scientists and non-governmental organizations. According to Mr. Hoang Van Ha - Asian Turtle Conservation Program (ATP), Hoan Kiem turtle is too little in the world, so breeding this species is urgent.

"In order to propagate, Vietnam first needs to determine the sex of the species in Dong Mo and Xuan Khanh. If it is a male, it can be paired with a female in China," said Ha.

The only individual of the Hoan Kiem turtle in China.(Photo: National Geographic).

Rafetus swinhoei is a rare turtle. The world has only four left, of which China keeps two children (one male and one female) at Suzhou Zoo.

In Vietnam, in addition to individuals in Ho Guom who died in 2016, there are only two children left at Dong Mo Lake and Xuan Khanh Lake (Hanoi). Scientists have not confirmed their gender. Species conservation is affected by polluted water sources and lack of control by local people.