27 Critically Endangered Big-headed Turtle rescued in Vietnam

20th June 2015

All the animals are now being maintained in quarantine in individual containers. Photo by: Hao Do Thanh - TCC

On the 10^th of June 2015 the Forest Protection Department (FPD) in Ninh Binh Province, Northern Vietnam, confiscated 27 endangered Big-headed Turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) and a single Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle (Palea steindachneri). Unfortunately two Big-headed Turtles were in very poor condition after the confiscation and died only hours later. The remaining 25 Big-headed Turtles along with the Wattle Necked Softshell Turtle were transferred to the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) in Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh Province. Many of the remaining animals are in poor condition and being cared for at the centre’s quarantine facility.

As a species the Big-headed Turtle is fully protected under national law in Vietnam and is normally found in much of south east Asia in fast flowing mountain streams, where the water is cool and clean. This is posing a problem for Cuc Phuong, which during the middle of a Vietnamese summer regularly experiences temperatures in the mid-30^oCs. As an aggressive species it is also important the individuals are maintained separately to prevent fighting, which can often lead to serious injuries and stress. It is the intent of the centre to stabilise these animals, and provide a suitable captive environment. At present the species is poorly represented in captivity and suffering heavy exploitation from the wild it is the hope that these animals could be the start of a captive assurance population.

The TCC urgently needs urgent support to provide emergency and long term holding facilities for these animals. To make a donation or provide additional support please contact us through info@asianturtleprogram.org

We would like to thank Ninh Binh Forest Protection Department (FPD) for their quick response in rescuing and transferring these animals to the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) in Cuc Phuong National Park. We would also like to thank the Disney Conservation Fund for Nature and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for their support, which makes such rescues possible.