On the 20th of July 2015, 20 Malayan Snail-eating turtles (Malayemys subtrijuga) were successfully transferred to the Turtle Conservation Center (TCC) in Cuc Phuong National Park from the Da Nang province Forest Protection Department (FPD). Da Nang FPD had confiscated the animals on the 14th of July 2015 in Hoa Chau commune, Hoa Vang district from a local trader. The turtles have arrived at the TCC and are being kept in quarantine. The species is notorious for being difficult to maintain in captivity and we are hoping to release these animals back into the wild in a suitable location in southern Vietnam as soon as possible.
The Malayan Snail-eating turtle is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN red list and they are under continued pressure from hunting, largely for the food markets with the species still eaten in southern Vietnam as well as China. Recently this species has been frequently seen in the wildlife trade in central Vietnam.
If you would like to support the TCC and ATP in rescuing and releasing these and other turtles please contact us at support@asianturtleprogram.org or you can donate through our website at www.asianturtleprogram.org/pages/support_atp
We would like to thank Mr. Tran Minh Triet the head of Da Nang FPD for the excellent work of Da Nang FPD in their quick response and cooperation with the TCC in the rescue of these animals. We would also like to thank Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Disney Conservation fund for Nature for supporting animal rescues by the ATP and TCC.
Date: 21st July 2015
Press release by: Do Thanh Hao – TCC
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