Vietnam Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Identification Book re-released

An endemic turtle species in central Vietnam raised under semi-wild conditions at Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Centre. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Education for Nature –Vietnam (ENV), in collaboration with the Asian Turtle Programme, has re-releasedthe Vietnam Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Identification Book.

The 2022 version includes information on two new species,updates on the maps of species’ distribution and on their conservationstatus, as well as recently promulgated wildlife protection laws.

This book serves as a vital resource to authorities,national parks and wildlife rescue centres, allowing them to identify anddistinguish between Vietnam’s 26 native tortoise and freshwater turtle species.This assists in handling turtle violations and appropriately placing the reptiles in wildlife rescue centres or releasing them back into the wild.

Of the 26 endemic turtle species of Vietnam, 23 are listedas critically endangered and eight prohibited from commercial trade,according to the ENV.

The Vietnam Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Identification Book is re-released by the Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV), in collaboration with the Asian Turtle Programme.

The book was sent out to the Department of Agriculture andRural Development (DARD), Forest Protection Department (FPD) directors, theDepartment of Natural Resources and the Environment, legal departments,environmental police, national parks, key universities with relevantdepartments, and wildlife rescue centres in all 63 provinces and cities.

In Vietnam, turtles are illegally traded and kept as a holypet. They are also considered as nutritious food and a material for severalproducts./.

VNA