The turtles were discovered on January 13 by Bui Vi Hao, 41, a resident of Phu Nhieu village in Hoa My commune, while he was travelling on a local road. After collecting the animals, Hao voluntarily reported the case and handed all eight turtles over to the Hoa My Commune Police.

The group includes two elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongata) and six keeled box turtles (Cuora mouhotii).

After receiving the turtles, the commune police reported the case to the local administration and coordinated with the Tay Hoa Forest Protection Unit to inspect, manage and identify the lawful owner. If no individual or organisation comes forward to claim them, the forest rangers will handle the case in accordance with the law, to ensure the turtles can be returned to their natural habitat as soon as possible.

According to conservation listings, the elongated tortoise is classified under Group IIB, while the keeled box turtle is listed under Group IB in Vietnam’s catalogue of endangered, precious and rare forest animals. Both species are also classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Both turtles are strictly protected under Vietnamese and international regulations, and all acts of hunting, trading or transporting these species are prohibited.

11 newly hatched turtles in Gia Lai released into the wild

VOV.VN - Local authorities and people in Nhon Chau Island commune of Gia Lai province, central Vietnam, on August 12 released into the natural marine environment 11 baby turtles that hatched from their nest.