An ailing giant turtle that is considered a sacred symbol of Vietnamese independence was captured today by rescuers who hope to give it urgent medical attention.
Thousands of onlookers cheered at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, as the mammoth creature was finally pulled in after it was spotted with lesions on its neck and legs.
Legend has it that the turtle is the guardian of a magical sword once used in the 15th century to drive out Chinese invaders.
Animal rescue: It took 50 workers two hours to net the turtle and lure it into a cage, before it was transported by boat to a small island recently expanded and equipped with a small pond to act as a ‘turtle hospital’
National treasure: Vietnamese officials established a team of animal experts, veterinarians and conservation workers to capture the rare turtle and administer treatment
It took 50 workers two hours to net the turtle and lure it into a cage, before it was transported by boat to a small island that was recently expanded and equipped with a small pond to act as a ‘turtle hospital’.
Ha Dinh Duc, who has studied the creature for 20 years and considers himself its caretaker, said it will be kept on the island for medical treatment, but it’s unclear how long that will take.
Some believe the animal that lives in the lake today is the same mythical creature said to have helped a Vietnamese king fend off the Chinese nearly six centuries ago. Experts, however, say the turtle is more likely to be between 80 and 100 years old.
That looks nasty: Concerns mounted after the turtle was spotted with lesions, prompting the government to form committees and employ hundreds of workers to clean debris and pollution from the lake
Endangered species: The turtle’s health is in serious condition and requires treatment, according to local media and veterinarian experts. It is thought to be one of the last four living turtles of its kind
Concerns mounted after the turtle was spotted with lesions on its head and shell, prompting the government to form committees and employ hundreds of workers to clean debris and pollution from the lake.
Photos of the unhealthy animal sparked near panic among the public, with newspapers carrying front-page stories and internet chatrooms buzzing with opinions.
The reptile is estimated to weigh about 440lb (200kg) and is from the species Rafeteus swinhoei, one of the world’s most endangered freshwater turtles.
Folklore: Legend has it that the turtle is the guardian of a magical sword once used in the 15th century to drive out Chinese invaders
There is one other turtle of the same species in Vietnam and two others in a Chinese zoo. But its value to the nation has nothing to do with how rare it is.
Many Vietnamese believe the turtle is the same one described in the legend of King Le Loi, who is said to have defeated Chinese invaders with a magic sword given to him by the gods.
After the victory, the king was said to be boating on the lake when a giant golden turtle rose to the surface and snatched the sword with its mouth before plunging deep into the water to return it to its divine owners.
Hoan Kiem Lake, which serves as Hanoi’s centerpiece, translates as ‘Lake of the Returned Sword.’