Found a large turtle that is considered extinct in Vietnam

Biologists yesterday claimed to have identified a soft-shell giant turtle in a lake west of Hanoi. This is the only living specimen of this species known to date.

After three years of searching, Asian turtle experts discovered, photographed and identified it (Rafetus swinhoei). The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in the US, which funded the study, announced the news in a speech:

" This is an incredibly important finding because Swinhoe's turtle is one of the world's most endangered turtles, " Doug

A turtle Rafetus swinhoei was caught in Thanh Hoa before.Photos provided by Cleveland Metroparks zoo.(Photo: ABC News)

Hendrie, the special envoy in Vietnam of the American Zoo's Asian Turtle Program, said."This turtle has been in the legend of the Vietnamese people, so perhaps this is an opportunity to assert that the legend is true."

Researcher Tim McCormack from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo refused to provide the lake name or other specific details about the turtle's location because of concern that it would be hunted and sold illegally.

The zoo also said that only three specimens of this turtle have been known to date, including two in Chinese zoos and one in Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi.

This turtle can weigh up to 136 kg, is up to 0.9144 meters and lives more than 100 years. However, researchers said they were almost extinct due to being hunted for food, due to loss of habitat and pollution.