VietNamNet Bridge – Many people were astonished to see the legendary turtle in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake carried a red-eared turtle on his back in the afternoon of December 18.

"The appearance of the red-eared slider at a time when water levels are dropping and food resources are dwindling is a real danger," said Professor Ha Dinh Duc, a renowned scholar of Hanoi culture and history.

The biologist said the species, Trachemys scripta, was native to the US and was a popular pet in many countries, but is also listed as one of the 100 most dangerous invasive species in the world.

Red-eared sliders are small but omnivorous, and consume insects, shrimp, worms, snails, amphibians, fish and aquatic plants. When released into an exotic environment, Mr Duc said, the turtles compete strongly with native species for food. He said it was likely that the red-eared sliders had been released into the lake by local residents who were tired of keeping the animals as pets.

Mr Duc first discovered a red-eared slider in the lake in 1997, and said the population was growing. "I once counted about eight of them around Thap Rua (the Turtle Tower). The population fluctuates, as many people catch them when the water level rises," he said.

There are presently eight species of turtles living in the lake, including the unique Hoan Kiem turtle. Five of these species were introduced into the lake by humans.

The biologist said there had not been any formal research about the impact of the red-eared slider on the lake's indigenous wildlife, but it was clear that there would be negative consequences as water levels fall.

Mr Duc called for detailed research into the consequences that the invasive species would have on genetic diversity and the lake's ecosystem.

The ancient turtle floated on the lake surface at 2pm, December 18, with a small

red-eared turtle on his back. The red-eared turtle is one of the 100 most dangerous

exotic species in the world, which can carry virus that causes typhoid.

He floats for nearly two hours.

The red-eared turtle leaves his back.

And the legendary turtle also dives after that.

PV