Setting up a center for conservation of precious and rare turtles in Central Vietnam

Endemic turtles found only in central Vietnam will be rescued and developed in the natural flooded environment at the conservation center in Quang Ngai.

On March 20, Mr. Nguyen Van Han, Quang Ngai Forest Protection Department Director, said the unit is cooperating with Southern Institute of Ecology and Asian Turtle Conservation Program to build a Rescue and Protection Center. habitat for rare and endangered turtles in Central Vietnam.

Rare and precious Central Turtle species will be rescued at the Conservation Center in Binh Son district (Quang Ngai). (Photo: Tri Tin)

According to Mr. Han, the rescue center more than 8 hectares will spread in two communes of Binh Minh and Binh Khuong, Binh Son district. According to the survey results, the Central turtle was once distributed in the provinces from Da Nang to Phu Yen, the populations of Central Turtle in the wild gradually disappear in the areas previously distributed.

The existence of these populations is vital for the conservation of the Central Turtle. Quang Ngai is currently identified by locals as having the most suitable natural environment for this turtle . "There are about 200 individuals being rescued at Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center (Ninh Binh) that will be transferred to Quang Ngai to preserve and multiply breeding in natural habitat," Han said.

Quang Ngai provincial forest ranger confiscated the central turtle species, along with a number of other precious turtle species illegally reared in a residential house in 2009. (Photo: Tri Tin)

Central turtle (scientific name: Mauremys annamensis) is a rare and precious endemic turtle, currently living only in wetlands such as ponds, lakes, streams in some central provinces of Vietnam that are not found in any anywhere else in the world.

Since the late 1980s, populations of wild Central turtles have almost disappeared because of illegal hunting and trade to meet the needs of the Vietnamese and Chinese markets. Although protected by the law, the situation of raising Central Turtle turtles for commercial purposes continues to increase.

Bui Dang Phong, director of the Turtle Conservation Center (Cuc Phuong National Park) said Vietnam currently has about 30 species of turtles, accounting for one tenth of the total number of turtles in the world. Including 25 species of tortoises and freshwater turtles with 3 endemic turtles.

In particular, the Central Turtle is protected in Group IIB of Government Decree 32, a group of endangered and rare forest animals. Accordingly, illegal hunting, trading and consumption of Central turtle is illegal. Central turtles are not distributed in any nature reserve, so the protection of this species is facing many difficulties.