Ho Chi Minh City, 20th June 2011 – Staff from Wildlife At Risk (WAR) in cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City Fisheries Quality Assurance and Aquatic Resources Protection Department, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Forest Protection Department of Ho Chi Minh City have successfully rescued twelve endangered sea turtles from Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Park in District 9.
A total of 11 hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and one green turtle (Chelonia mydas) weighing between 3.8 – 27 kgs were being kept at Suoi Tien on display for the general public. All the worlds seven species are classified as “endangered species” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and protected under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). Both hawksbill and green turtles are being pushed towards extinction by the illegal trade of wildlife and are protected under Vietnamese Law.
Representatives from Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Park were eventually persuaded by local governmental officials to hand the endangered turtles over to WAR staff to be successfully transferred to the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station (CCWRS).
The twelve sea turtles will stay at CCWRS for further rehabilitation, medical evaluation for a short while before they’re released back to the wild. Visit the rescue station soon to see these amazing reptiles and show your support to Vietnams’ endangered wildlife.
WAR wants to remind everyone never buy or consume any wildlife products and report wildlife crimes.