41 more endangered turtles arrived at the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC), Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam

9th August 2017

Five critically endangered Indochinese box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons) transferred as part of this transfer. Photo by: Simon Brauburger – ATP.

On the morning of 4^th August 2017, Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Centre (WRC) contacted the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) of Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam, to ask for the TCC agreement on receiving 41 turtles including 36 endangered Elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) and 5 critically endangered Indochinese box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons). Following a rescue trip these turtles are now being cared for in the quarantine station at the TCC.

Since 2015, the Hanoi WRC has agreed to transfer 355 animals from various confiscations to the TCC for further rehabilitation and release, with a good mechanism for cooperation between the TCC of Cuc Phuong National Park, Asian Turtle Program (ATP), and Hanoi WRC we are now seeing a steady flow of tortoises and freshwater turtles from confiscations.

But with more animals comes, more challenges. The ATP and TCC are now becoming overwhelmed with so many animals rescued. We urgently need support to be able to maintain these animals and undertake more releases. We are also under pressure to undertake more rigorous health screening, including looking for mycoplasma and herpes viruses. For some species genetic analysis is also being recommended, for example with the Big-headed Turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) and leaf turtles (Cyclemys sp.), for which a number of a number of potentially new subspecies may exist for which clarification is needed before release sites can be chosen.

We always want to follow best practises where we can, but to achieve this more financial support is needed. If you would like to donate, please make a payment through PayPal using Support@asianturtleprogram.org email address.

We would like to thank Hanoi WRC for their continuing collaboration in rescue and transfer of endangered turtles to the TCC. We would also like to thank all those who have offered support, volunteered to help or can contribute financial or equipment resources: the World Land Trust, Bristol Zoo, Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (CMZ).