The turtle, which has the scientific name Chelonia mydas, is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).A fisherman in the province's Thuan An township on October 23 found the turtle in his pond and informed the local authorities. Specialists from local department of seafood exploitation and protection arrived and ensured that the turtle was in good health.
The experts assisted local fishermen in releasing the giant turtle back into the sea on the day’s afternoon. This is the third turtle to be rescued by residents in the township.
In related developments, four pangolins, a threatened species according to the IUCN, were rescued in neighbouring Quang Tri province after local police captured a trafficker.
Chu Van Luu, 26, a resident of the central province of Nghe An, was found on October 23 transporting the wild mammals in Cam Lo district in Quang Tri province. He did not have any legal documents for his cargo.
Luu told the police that the pangolins were meant to be consumed as food. Eating wild animals is a rising trend among consumers of alcohol in Vietnam.
Vietnamese laws prohibit the hunting, capture, transport and consumption of wild animals.
