VietNamNet Bridge – Hanoi authorities on February 28 set up the Council for Treatment of Hoan Kiem Lake’s Turtle, with 13 members, led by veterinary doctor Nguyen Huy Dang.

The council is responsible for taking the legendary turtle to a specialized tank for treatment and carry out the treatment process.

The council is permitted to invite foreign experts to join the treatment process in necessary circumstances.

Director of the Hanoi Department of Health on February 28 told VietNamNet that the Steering Board for Saving the Turtle asked for his department’s involvement in the treatment process but the health sector can only deal with human-related issues, not animals.

However, he confirmed that the department is trying its best to cooperate with other agencies to act on the plan to save the old turtle. Tuan said he assigned a doctor of dermatology to collaborate with veterinary doctors to cure skin diseases for the turtle.

A senior expert from the Central Hospital for Dermatology said that experts should not treat the turtle’s skin diseases with medicine for humans. The treatment must be overseen by veterinary doctors or oceanographic experts.

After the solution to save the turtle was fixed on February 25, Hanoi authorities have begun cleaning up the Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake is very dry at this moment.

Hanoi authorities on February 28 started to take action to save the injured turtle. Sand bags have been placed around the foot of the Turtle Tower to serve as a resting spot for the turtle. Scientists would wait for the turtle to crawl onto this tower to capture and treat its wounds directly there.

The Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Company began to dredge up the mud and rubbish in the lake, meant to create a favorable habitat for the animal. Drainage work is expected to complete on March 8. Around 500cu.m of mud, earth, and stone will be removed from the lake.

NA