Rare turtles spotted being sold on sidewalk in south-central Vietnam
Saturday, July 13, 2024, 17:15 GMT+7
Local forest rangers in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam are investigating a case in which yellow-headed temple turtles were for sale on the sidewalks in the city.
The turtles were spotted being sold on the streets in Ward 1, 5, 9 and Binh Ngoc Commune in Tuy Hoa City in a bunch of photos that went viral on Friday.
It has raised public concern if the reptiles are allowed to be sold publicly.
According to Nguyen Vinh Thanh, head of Tuy Hoa City Forest Protection Division under the Phu Yen provincial Forest Protection Department, the turtles were owned by L.B.T. who resides in Ward 7, Tuy Hoa City.
The reptiles are in the group IIB of the list of endangered, rare and precious forest animals, Thanh said.
However, they were raised in the southern Long An Province, and were bought by T. to resell them.
This process was verified by Long An Province forest rangers.
"This species of turtle can be traded, but the process must be in a regulated place, not to be publicly or on the street,” Thanh said.
“Also, when selling them, a list of forest products must be made with confirmation from local forest rangers.”
Thanh added that his unit is coordinating with wards and communes in Tuy Hoa City to review, inspect and handle according to regulations on the trade of yellow-headed temple turtles as well as other rare animals.
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