Located in Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh, Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center is currently a common home taking care of about 2,500 turtle individuals, belonging to 24 species of land turtles and freshwater turtles of Vietnam.
Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center was established in 1998, under a cooperation project between the Asian Turtle Conservation Program and Cuc Phuong National Park. The center has an area of 7,000 m2 including farming areas, water tanks, forests... and specialized equipment serving the farming and breeding of turtle groups.
According to a representative of the Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center, all turtle individuals here originate from illegal wildlife trafficking cases seized nationwide, voluntarily handed over by people, handed over by international organizations, or reproduced in conservation conditions.
The turtle species here are mainly native turtles of Vietnam, which are prioritized for care and conservation. In addition, there are groups listed in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Currently, the activities of the Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center are rescuing, restoring and releasing turtles back to the natural environment. At the same time, breeding and reproducing endangered and rare turtles to increase population size to serve releasing work. In addition, the center also plays the role of an educational institution, raising community awareness about biodiversity conservation for domestic and international tourists.
At the center, the cages are designed close to the natural living environment of each group of turtles, suitable for the ecological characteristics of each species. Hygiene conditions are strictly maintained, minimizing direct contact of staff with turtles, in order to preserve the natural habits of this species...
The food used for turtles includes: green vegetables, tubers, earthworms, snails and small fish... The entire food source is cleanly pre-processed, chopped to suit the eating characteristics of each turtle species.
At the center, there is also an artificial incubator area, baby turtle care. Baby turtle individuals after hatching are put into specialized farming boxes, designed specifically for each group, turtle species and placed in closed rooms to suit temperature as well as ensure safety.
Each year, the center receives about 200 - 300 turtle individuals rescued from illegal trading cases. In parallel with rescue work, each year there are about 100 - 200 turtle individuals eligible for re-release to the natural environment. Turtles released back to nature will continue to be monitored and assessed for their adaptability as well as living conditions in the wild" - representative of Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center said.
Mr. Le Trong Dat - Head of the Department of Science and International Cooperation, Cuc Phuong National Park, said that the turtle group is one of the typical animal groups with particularly important conservation value in Vietnam. Turtles play an essential role in forest ecosystems and wetlands. Turtles are not only valuable in terms of conservation but also contribute to maintaining ecological balance. Turtle rescue and conservation is one of the key groups that Cuc Phuong National Park especially focuses on.
In mid-May, 28 golden turtles, sandworms and earth turtles were transported from Korea to the center for care. These are turtles originating from Vietnam that were illegally traded and seized by Korean authorities at Incheon airport" - Mr. Dat shared.
It is known that turtles are one of the most common wildlife groups hunted and illegally traded in Vietnam.
