On the 12^th of May 2026, authorities in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam, confiscated 272 tortoises and freshwater turtles belonging to five species, marking one of the largest turtle confiscations recorded in Vietnam so far this year and one of the largest confiscations in the past decade. The shipment included several of Vietnam’s most critically endangered freshwater turtle species, highlighting the ongoing and severe threat posed by the illegal wildlife trade.

Following rapid action by the Lang Son Provincial Investigation Police and Forestry Protection Department, the team from the Asian Turtle Program and Cuc Phuong National Park rescued the turtles to the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC). The TCC is jointly operated by Indo-Myanmar Conservation (IMC), its Asian Turtle Program (ATP), and Cuc Phuong National Park.

The rescue included: Indochinese Box Turtles (Cuora galbinifrons), Bourret’s Box Turtle (Cuora bourreti), Keeled Box Turtles (Cuora mouhotii), Big-headed Turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) and Four-eyed Turtles (Sacalia quadriocellata).

Many of the animals arrived in poor condition after being tightly packed inside black socks and compressed into foam shipping boxes for transport. Numerous individuals were dehydrated, had injuries, or were suffering from stress caused by the smuggling conditions. Something unusual about this shipment was that many of the animals had ticks. Among the confiscated animals were many juveniles and hatchlings requiring immediate intensive care and temperature-controlled quarantine facilities. Several turtles even laid eggs shortly after arriving at the rescue centre.

Ms. Nguyen Thu Thuy, Animal Manager for IMC/ATP, stated:

“This is the largest rescue of native turtle species we have seen at the Turtle Conservation Centre in the last 10 years, and the third major confiscation originating from Lạng Sơn Province. Thanks to the continued collaboration with the Lạng Sơn Provincial Forestry Protection Department and Investigation Police, we were able to respond immediately once the animals were identified by the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources in Hà Nội.

Our rescue team and the turtles arrived at the Turtle Conservation Centre around midnight on 12–13 May, and our staff have been working tirelessly ever since to separate, stabilise, and treat the animals. Many are highly vulnerable juveniles that require intensive monitoring and care. We urgently need additional quarantine space, veterinary supplies, and financial support to give these animals the best chance of survival and eventual release back into the wild.”

Despite the difficult condition of many animals, the rescue team remains hopeful that a significant number can recover and eventually be released back into protected habitats in Vietnam.

This rescue comes as conservation teams prepare to mark World Turtle Day on 23rd May 2026. While ATP/IMC continues its long-term efforts to protect turtles in the wild, the organisation is simultaneously facing increasing pressure from large-scale wildlife confiscations that require urgent rescue and rehabilitation resources.

In 2025 alone, ATP/IMC worked alongside Cúc Phương National Park to successfully release 110 turtles back into two protected areas across Vietnam.

 Urgent Appeal for Support

The Turtle Conservation Centre is now operating under emergency conditions to care for this unprecedented influx of endangered animals. Immediate support is urgently needed for:

• Quarantine and emergency holding facilities
• Veterinary treatment and medicines
• Specialised food and husbandry equipment
• Long-term rehabilitation and release efforts

Please help us give these endangered turtles a second chance.

Support ATP/IMC here: https://asianturtleprogram.org/support-us/

Press release by: Timothy McCormack & Thuy Nguyen  – ATP/IMC

Date: 22nd May 2026

Acknowledgement:

We would like to sincerely thank the Lang Son Provincial Investigation Police, the Lang Son Provincial Forest Protection Department, Cuc Phuong National Park, the Korean National Institution of Ecology, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Saint Louis Zoo for their support and collaboration during this rescue operation. We would also like to thank all the staff and volunteers working at the TCC for helping support the rescue during this busy time.

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