On 21st and 22nd August 2018, the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of Indo-Myanmar Conservation (IMC) has collaborated with the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) of Cuc Phuong National Park and Me Linh Station for Biodiversity of Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) to carry out the first tortoise and freshwater turtle release of this year. This release has brought home 101 individuals of three endangered species, namely the Giant Asian Pond Turtle (Heosemys grandis), Yellow-headed Temple Turtle (Heosemys annandalii) and Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata). Many of the animals released were juveniles from hatchling success at the TCC or rescued from the wildlife trade. Despite the bad weather, heavy rain, muddy roads, and long travel time, we all felt extremely happy to see those endangered turtles back in the wild.
We hope that more releases with other endangered turtles will take place in this autumn. If you would like to support our release activity, please consider making a Donation via Paypal using support@asianturtleprogram.org or contact us for more information.
We would like to thank Lam Quang Ngon of Can Tho University, Huynh Thien Trung and Tran Minh Cuong of Ho Chi Minh University of Science who have joined the release team as volunteers. Also thank to our dedicated staff who have been working tirelessly in rescue, breeding, and release of turtles.
Press release by: Hoang Thi Phuong Thao and Hoang Van Ha – ATP/IMC.
Date: 22nd August 2018
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Download this press release in Vietnamese here
