On October 21, Tam Binh Ward police handed the rare turtle to Ho Chi Minh City forest rangers for further care and handling in accordance with regulations.
The animal was discovered on October 17 by Tran Van Chung while he was jogging near Street 23 in Tam Binh Ward. He spotted the turtle crawling in a canal.
A resident brings the rare turtle to police headquarters to hand it over (Photo: Hoang Huong).
Suspecting that it belonged to an endangered and rare species, and concerned for its safety, Chung brought it ashore and voluntarily handed it over to the local police.
After receiving the animal, Tam Binh Ward police worked with the ward People’s Committee’s infrastructure division to document the case and complete the procedures for transferring it to city forest rangers for care and further handling in accordance with the law.
Preliminary identification found that the animal was a male Asian leaf turtle (Heosemys annandalii), weighing about 7kg. The species is listed in Group IIB of Vietnam’s classification of endangered, precious and rare forest animals.
Chung’s responsible action, together with the police’s prompt response, has helped raise public awareness of wildlife protection, biodiversity conservation and compliance with the law.
The turtle belongs to the Heosemys annandalii species (Photo: Hoang Huong).
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Thai, deputy chief of Tam Binh Ward police, said that responsible actions by residents and timely intervention by law enforcement helped build a civil-minded, responsible community committed to protecting nature.
Police urged residents who discover wild animals, particularly endangered or rare species, to notify the authorities for guidance. They also warned against illegally hunting, trading, transporting or keeping wild animals, stressing the importance of protecting biodiversity and complying with the law.
