Eight proposals of 'learning turtles'

Tomorrow 15 February, the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology, which has been organized by the International Conference, will listen and absorb solutions to protect and conserve turtles in Sword Lake.

On December 30, 2010, the turtle's neck appeared with a large wound like a cut
(Photo provided by Associate Professor Ha Dinh Duc)

In the water surface on February 9, 2011, in addition to the large wound in the neck, on the shell of the turtle
ulcers appear

Director of Hanoi Department of Science and Technology Le Xuan Rao said this is a seminar gathering a large number of domestic scientists and a number of foreign scientists. Facing the environmental issues of Guom Lake, living places, turtle protection and conservation conditions, Mr. Rao said that the department will absorb recommendations, proposals and TP reports before deciding to implement. .

Particularly with Associate Prof. Dr. Ha Dinh Duc - a person who spent nearly 20 years of research on Sword Lake and Turtle Sword Lake, who is called 'the turtle school for the Sword Lake', what will he say at this important seminar?

Mr. Duc said: ' Currently, I think both water environment issues; Living conditions, the health of turtle tools is really more urgent than ever. In 2007, I recorded 72 times of turtles floating in the water, and in 2010, turtles were up to 134 times. In December 2010 alone, tortoise has floated up to 23 times. The current number of water surface emergencies is too many and unusual compared to previous times. This is indeed unusual and contrary to the habit of the common turtle that lies deep in the mud in the winter . "

Mr. Ha Dinh Duc is using binoculars to observe turtles (internet photos)

So what do you mean by irregularities and irregularities when more and more turtles emerge?

Firstly, I think that it is possible that the turtle was injured in many positions. From the pictures of turtles at the time of 2005, turtles were still very smooth at that time. At the end of 2010, the image of a turtle injured in the neck, an ulcerous apricot, even a picture of a tortoise being hooked, and the latest image when the turtle floated on the past 9-2-2011 also showed each piece of skin as if being peeled off, red legs and nails on each section. This shows that from the end of 2010 and early 2011, the health of tortoises really has problems.

Secondly, there is a cause of water pollution. Because the Sword Lake is always stagnant, when the water in the lake is shallow, the level of pollution becomes more dense. This means that when the water is heavily polluted, the wounds will get worse.

Thirdly, with the data of measuring water level at hundreds of points in Sword Lake on 9 February, it shows that many layers of sediment and sedimentation make Sword Lake now only about 60-70cm in average , shallow place. only about 40cm is measured to reach the mud, while the deepest place is only about 1.2m. This is also the reason why the tortoise's tolerance to cold is more or less affected.

So what do you think you need to do to solve the environmental problems of Sword Lake, especially to protect turtles when you are injured?

As a research scientist on Sword Lake and tortoise tools, firstly, I formally propose that the City should study and plan to bring turtle tools to the Turtle base area to check and treat in time. .

Second, immediately check the bottom of the lake , organize the clearance of obstacles in the lake, this may be one of the causes of the wound of tortoise tools.

Thirdly, check the sewage system of Thuy Ta restaurant and Hapro restaurant which is operating close to the lake and electricity and water systems connected to Ngoc Son temple and the electric system leading to the Tortoise tower.

Fourthly, immediately construct a sewer system with open and closed gates , circulating the lake during the rainy season to improve the quality of the lake water which has been stagnant for hundreds of years.

Fifthly, continue to dredge mud from 0.5m or more to ensure an average depth of about 1.5m in the dry season.

Sixth, set up mini labo , set water column, collect environmental parameters of the lake.

On Saturday, clean all four door frames of concrete bracing on the foot of Turtle mound and clean up concrete, stone bricks so that turtles can crawl onto the grass at the base of Turtle Tower to rest.

Finally, it is necessary to strictly prohibit the release of red-eared turtles and strange creatures into the lake .

The time when the turtle was injured

- At the end of 1996, the turtle was injured for the first time.

- By 2002, the image showed that the old wounds had completely healed.

- At the beginning of August 2010, the picture showed that the tortoise was stuck with the first hook.

- By the middle of September 2010, the new image showed that the tortoise was attached to the second cluster of hooks.

- At the end of December 2010, the picture was shown at the old tools, tortoise-like wounds continued to appear.