Vietnam welcomed 71 turtles

Cuc Phuong National Park on August 19 received 71 Central turtles, Vietnam's endemic tortoise returning to his homeland, after a long journey from Europe.

Mr. Truong Quang Bich (left), Director of Cuc Phuong National Park and Mr. Bui Dang Phong, Deputy Director of Cuc Phuong Center for Rescue and Conservation of Rare and Precious Wild Fauna and Flora are introducing the biological characteristics of the species. Central turtle.

This is the first time a large number of successfully raised turtles have returned to Vietnam. Previously, the Central Turtle was bred in Rotterdam Zoo (Netherlands) and Munster Zoo (Germany).

Conservationists are introducing the biology of the Central Turtle.(Photo: ENV)

The turtles will reunite with more than 200 other turtles at the Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center. These individuals are seized from illegal trade, voluntarily transferred by people or born at the Turtle Conservation Center. The goal of the program is to release turtles to the most suitable natural habitat.

Mr. Bui Dang Phong, Director of Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center (Cuc Phuong National Park) said, this is an important step in the conservation of the Central Turtle in Vietnam, because the number of these species in nature is rapid decline due to hunting, illegal trading and habitat loss.

Central turtle (Mauremys annamensis) is a rare turtle. They are found only in wetlands, in lakes and rivers of some central provinces of Vietnam. Since the late 1980s, populations of Central turtles in the wild have almost disappeared because of illegal hunting and trade to meet the needs of the Vietnamese and Chinese markets.

According to experts, despite the protection of the law, the situation of raising Central turtles for commercial purposes continues to increase.

Mr. Henk Zwartepoorte, In charge of reptile management of Rotterdam Zoo is proud to contribute to the conservation of Vietnam's rare turtle species, and help bring 71 Central turtles back to their homeland.

"We believe in Vietnam's initiatives and global efforts to help Vietnam's endemic turtles survive and thrive in nature," said Henk Zwartepoorte.