On the 14th of October 2011 a student handed two endangered Four-eyed Turtles (Sacalia quadriocellata) over to the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) of Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam. A third Four-Eyed Turtle was also transferred at the same time from Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park rescue centre. These three lucky turtles will join the small founder group for the species at the TCC where breeding success since 2007 by five original founder animals has already resulted in 16 hatchlings adding to the growing assurance population.
The species is small in size and well camouflaged, making it difficult to find in its natural habitat, fast flowing streams in north and central Vietnam, Laos and Southern China. Despite this the species is still suffering from hunting and habitat throughout its range and is likely to become more endangered in the future. The Four-eyed Turtles at the TCC are maintained to ensure a viable population of the species survives in Vietnam.
Press Release by: Hoang Van Thai – Asian Turtle Program (ATP).
24th November 2011
Thank you
To FPD for their collaboration in the confiscation and to Houston Zoo, Auckland Zoo and Intrepid for supporting the conservation activities in the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) of Cuc Phuong National Park. Although the ATP and TCC do not have specific support currently available for assisting in such rescues.
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