Cuc Phuong National Park said on May 13 that it had coordinated with the Indo-Myanmar Conservation, Vietnamese authorities and the National Institute of Ecology to receive the rare turtles repatriated from South Korea in line with the principles of the CITES convention.
The shipment included 28 turtles belonging to several critically endangered and rare Vietnamese species, including the northern yellow-headed box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons), central Vietnamese box turtle (Cuora bourreti), keeled box turtle (Cuora mouhotii) and black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda spengleri).
All of the species are considered highly important for conservation and face severe threats in the wild due to habitat loss, hunting and illegal wildlife trafficking.
Vietnamese authorities and the National Institute of Ecology of South Korea receive the shipment of rare turtles repatriated from South Korea to Vietnam at Noi Bai Airport (Photo: Cuc Phuong National Park).
Authorities said transportation, quarantine and reception procedures were carried out under strict Vietnamese legal regulations, CITES rules and international veterinary standards to ensure disease prevention, animal welfare and health safety.
After completing mandatory quarantine procedures, the turtles will undergo health monitoring and long-term conservation assessments at specialised facilities within Cuc Phuong National Park.
One of the rare turtles repatriated from South Korea to Vietnam (Photo: Cuc Phuong National Park).
Individuals deemed suitable may later be used for conservation breeding, environmental education programmes and potential reintroduction into appropriate natural habitats.
Nguyen Van Chinh, director of Cuc Phuong National Park, said the repatriation carried important conservation value for Vietnam and highlighted the effectiveness of international cooperation in protecting endangered wildlife.
“As a pioneering institution in nature conservation, wildlife rescue and preservation in Vietnam, Cuc Phuong National Park will continue strengthening rescue, rehabilitation, conservation and rewilding activities for endangered species,” Chinh said.
He added that the park would also continue raising public awareness about environmental protection and biodiversity conservation for future generations.
The CITES convention, established in 1973 and effective from 1975, regulates or bans international trade in endangered wild animals and plants to protect species from extinction. The treaty currently has 184 members, with Vietnam joining in 1994.
