this press release here

Asian Turtle Program
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Photo below: Although gruesome this is the reality of what is destined for many of Asia’s large, and
increasingly rare, softshell turtles. This Facebook from the 12th April 2014 show the butchering of a
large Asiatic Softshell Turtle (Amyda cartilaginea)
Photo: Facebook
16th May 2014
The fate of large softshell turtles in Vietnam
On the 12th of April 2014 photographs appeared
on the Facebook which clearly show the butchering
of a large softshell turtle. Initial concerns were that
this could be a large Swhinhoe’s Softshell Turtle
(Rafetus swinhoei), better known as the Hoan
Kiem Turtle in Vietnam, and considered critically
endangered and the worlds rarest turtle species with
only four individuals known in existence globally.
However its reported location in Yang Reh Lake,
Yang Reh commune, Krong Brong district, Dak
Lak province in central Vietnam and further
inspection of the photographs identified the
animal as a very large Asiatic Softshell Turtle
(Amyda cartilaginea). Reportedly 87kg this was
likely a very old animal which is likely decades
old. Unfortunately the Asiatic Softshell Turtle
is not specifically protected under national law
although it is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN
and is increasingly threatened from hunting and
trade with soft-shell turtles in high demand for
traditional food in Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia.
What is of greater concern is that this is the
fate of most large softshell turtles caught in
Vietnam. They are either consumed as food
within Vietnam or enter the international wildlife
trade to neighbouring countries such as China.
For hardshell turtle the majority of animals are
exported although some local consumption does
occur within Vietnam. Such a fate could still
await the worlds rarest turtle species as Swinhoe’s
Softshell Turtles may survive unknown in lakes
in northern Vietnam or southern China. We
strongly urge individuals to contact the local
authorities if they known of large turtles in
their community or hear of them being caught.
Written by: Timothy McCormack & Nguyen Thu
Thuy - ATP
Find this press release online on the ATP homepage
Images from Facebook taken on the 12th April 2014 show
the butchering of a large Asiatic Softshell Turtle (Amyda
cartilaginea).