>> Hoan Kiem’s legendary turtle to get treatment by weekend
>> Hoan Kiem’s legendary turtle in trouble
The latest effort to bring the rare soft shell turtle of Hoan Kiem into an enclosure for treatment was a success.
The ailing turtle was caught on April 3 and taken to the Tortoise Tower in the afternoon, by special military units. Thousands of spectators cheered at the successful attempt.
The first rescue attempt took place on March 3, but the old turtle broke through the net.
The second involved more than 20 soldiers, and took about 2 hours and three nets of varying size before the turtle was finally brought under control.
The rare turtle, one of the last of its kind, was escorted by swimmers and two boats into an enclosed area where he will await diagnosis and treatment.
"This is one of the most endangered animals in the world and there\'s very little known about it," said Tim McCormack of the Asian Turtle Programme, a Hanoi-based conservation and research group.
The critically endangered soft-shell turtle, which weighs about 200 kilograms (440 pounds), has been injured by fishing hooks and small red-eared turtles, which have appeared in the lake in recent years.
The animal\'s status in Vietnam stems from its history and its home in Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword), rather than its rarity.
Photos captured by Dantri reporters:
The turtle appears
Twice surrounded
Another net, used for capture
Cage ready to receive its guest
Nets cast by hand
Surrounded by nets
Getting closer
Preparing for the dive
Cooperation
Gathering equipment
After locating the old creature, nets were cast
Some difficulties
The crowd cheers
Netted
Nets encircled the turtle
Placed into an iron cage
Guiding the turtle to his temporary home
Cage with the turtle inside loaded to the treatment place
After being caught, the turtle was brought to Tortoise Tower
Treatment may take months
April 3 at noon
Participants on the ready
Spectators
Checking nets
The cage
