Hoan Kiem Turtle leads the risk of extinction

The list of the world's 10 most endangered turtle species has just been announced by Conservation International (CI), in which the turtle species in Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, is at the highest level of alarm.

This information was researched and released by turtle conservation expert Peter Paul Van Dijk, director of Conservation International, on September 10.

In the list of 10 terrestrial and freshwater turtles facing extinction, there are two Vietnamese turtle species: the Hoan Kiem turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) ranked number 1; and the Vietnamese pond turtle (Mauremys annamensis), which is endemic to Vietnam, ranked number 9.

A turtle of the same species in Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi. Photo: Discovery

There are only four turtles like the Hoan Kiem Lake turtle left in the world, one of which lives in this lake and one in Dong Mo Lake (Son Tay, Hanoi). The other two are kept in captivity in China.

The Hoan Kiem and the Trung Bo turtles are both part of the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) Research and Conservation Program. The ATP has been conducting research and surveys to find remaining individuals in the wild and suitable habitats for their conservation; organizing activities to raise public awareness and making efforts to call for and cooperate with local authorities and conservation agencies.

The program is currently working to determine whether there are any more Hoan Kiem turtles in Dong Mo Lake, in order to pair them for breeding in the hope of preserving the "grandpa turtle" breed.

The Central Vietnamese turtle (Mauremys anammensis) is a rare endemic turtle species that lives in flooded areas in provinces and cities such as Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen, but due to the loss or fragmentation of most of its habitat, the conversion of land use from forest to agricultural land, and urban development, the habitat has gradually narrowed.

Besides the two turtle species above, some other turtle species in Vietnam are also in a critically endangered state, almost all species in the above list are the Yellow-fronted Box Turtle (including the Northern Yellow-fronted Box Turtle (Cuora galbinifrons), the Central Yellow-fronted Box Turtle (Cuora bourreti) and the Southern Yellow-fronted Box Turtle (Cuora picturata).

Currently, many people are concerned and worried about the life of the Turtle in Hoan Kiem Lake when "he" is living with a cluster hook stuck in his back and many other injuries. According to Mr. Tim McCormack, Director of the Asian Turtle Conservation Program, if the Hoan Kiem Lake Turtle is left with the hook, it will affect the turtle's health. However, according to Associate Professor, Dr. Ha Dinh Duc, the hook stuck in the turtle's shell does not affect its life.

“If we do not act now to protect turtle habitats and adopt stronger measures to stop the trade in turtles for pets and food, we face the real prospect of losing sight of turtles forever,” said Dr Peter Paul van Dijk.

According to VnExpress