Twenty-eight rare turtles, including endangered box turtles and leaf turtles, have been returned from South Korea to Vietnam by air as part of an international wildlife conservation effort.
On May 13, Cuc Phuong National Park announced that it had received 28 rare turtle specimens transported from South Korea to Vietnam through Noi Bai International Airport.
The turtles belong to several endangered and protected Vietnamese species, including the northern Vietnamese box turtle, central Vietnamese box turtle, keeled box turtle, and the black-breasted leaf turtle, also known as Spengler’s turtle.
International cooperation against illegal wildlife trade
Dr. Kyuho Kang from the National Institute of Ecology of South Korea personally transported the turtles to Vietnam. Photo: C.P.
The transfer was carried out under international cooperation efforts on biodiversity conservation and implementation of CITES - the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
After completing mandatory quarantine procedures, the turtles will be monitored, medically assessed, and cared for at specialized conservation facilities operated by Cuc Phuong National Park.
Individuals deemed suitable will later be considered for captive conservation breeding, educational programs, and potentially future release into appropriate natural habitats.
Seized at Incheon airport
The turtles received belong to endangered and protected Vietnamese species. Photo: C.P.
Dr. Kyuho Kang from the National Institute of Ecology of South Korea, who personally transported the turtles to Vietnam, said the animals had previously been confiscated by authorities at Incheon International Airport and were likely linked to illegal wildlife trafficking activities.
“Because these turtles are not native species in South Korea, they could not be released into the wild there,” Dr. Kang said. “And now, they have finally been able to return to their homeland - Vietnam.”
The return of the turtles highlights growing international cooperation in combating wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species native to Vietnam.
Vietnamnet.vn
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