A task force from Hoan Kiem Ward recovered the traps and captured the turtles from the lake on August 13.
Authorities trapped 60 red-eared slider turtles in Hoan Kiem Lake.
The operation followed reports from local residents that red-eared turtles had been spotted in Hoan Kiem Lake. Hoan Kiem Ward People's Committee then reviewed the situation and worked with relevant agencies to assess the threat and agree on measures to protect the lake's ecosystem while preserving the surrounding urban landscape.
Based on expert advice, authorities opted to capture the red-eared turtles manually using traps, with measures designed to avoid harming the lake's endemic turtle species and minimise disruption to the environment and landscape.
Hoan Kiem Ward People's Committee worked with representatives of the Asian Turtle Conservation Programme to establish a task force to carry out the operation.
The team began setting 20 traps around Ngoc Son Temple on August 12 and checks them once a day.
A Hoan Kiem Ward official said any rare, endangered or protected turtle species found during the operation would be handed over to the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment in accordance with regulations.
The task force will continue trapping and handling red-eared turtles under the prescribed procedures, the official said.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, red-eared turtles are classified as an invasive alien species that can pose risks to biodiversity and ecosystems.
