Rare Sea Turtles Released into Nature in Central Vietnam
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Loading... - Mei Takehiko
- 05 Jul 2024
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Two hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and one green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) were returned to the wild on Wednesday in the waters off Phan Thiet City, located in the south-central province of Binh Thuan, Vietnam.
A local resident, who had kept the turtles for several years, voluntarily handed them over to the provincial Department of Fisheries upon learning of their endangered status. Having lost their natural hunting instincts due to captivity in fresh water, the turtles were subsequently transferred to the Dau Tieng wildlife conservation station for care and rehabilitation.
The reptiles were deemed to be in good condition at the time of their release back into their natural habitat.
Both hawksbill and green sea turtles are critically endangered, listed as such by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and included in Vietnam’s Red Books.
In Vietnam, any illegal activity involving sea turtles—such as hunting, killing, raising, confining, possessing, transporting, or trading them or their parts—is a severe offense. Violators may face prosecution and penalties of up to 15 years in prison.
This release is a significant step in the conservation efforts to protect these rare and precious marine creatures, ensuring they can continue to play their crucial roles in marine ecosystems.
