Hoang Van Thang and the 30kg sea turtle

Hoang Van Thang, owner of Huong Bien restaurant, said on February 18 that he had bought the animal from a fisherman.

The sea turtle, which is 70cm high and 50cm wide, is in poor health, Thang stated.

Last year, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a programme on conserving endangered sea turtle species of Vietnam until 2025, with a vision to 2030.

The programme aims to protect and sustainably develop the populations of the endangered species and their habitats, thereby helping to protect biodiversity in the country./. VNA

Car-sized turtle fossils unearthed

The turtle is believed to have lived in northern South America between 13 and seven million years ago.

Wild turtles under threat of extinction

Many species of rare turtles are in danger of extinction due to illegal trading in Vietnam.