On the 12th of September 2017, Uyen, a young resident of Ngu Hanh Son mountain, Da Nang city in Central Vietnam, contacted the ATP through its Facebook page regarding handing in one adult endangered impressed tortoise (Manouria impressa) for conservation. According to Uyen, this turtle might have been released by local people into the small but famous mountain behind his house for religious purposes. Due to the distance from Da Nang to the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) in Cuc Phuong National Park it was unrealistic to transfer the animal. Guidance was given on how to take care of this sensitive species in terms of food and diet and other basic needs while the ATP sought a suitable solution.
On the 21st of September 2017, the turtle was transferred to Le Van Manh, a student from this year field training course held by the ATP and TCC. The following day Manh woked with park ranger and was able to release the turtle back into suitable habitat above 1000m and in the core zone of Bach Ma National Park, Thua Thien Hue province where this species naturally occurs.
The ATP would like to highlight that while this is a successful outcome for this animal we do not encourage people to purchase wildlife to release for religious purposes as such releases cause trouble for both animals and the ecosystem.
We would like to thank all those involved in the rescue and release, Uyen, Le Van Manh, and the rangers of Bach Ma National Park.
Press release by: Hoang Van Ha – ATP/IMC
Date: 25th September 2017
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