Ho Chi Minh City rangers seize 13 invasive red-eared slider turtles at shops selling animals for release

The sub-department said on Friday that its inspection team had inspected several shops selling birds, fish and turtles for religious release near An Ha Bridge in the commune and raised public awareness about wildlife protection.

The operation was carried out under Plan No. 290 of the Ho Chi Minh City administration and Plan No. 60 of the sub-department.

During the inspections on Thursday, the team found one shop selling red-eared slider turtles and another selling the turtles along with munias.

It seized all 13 red-eared slider turtles for handling in accordance with regulations and released around 300 munias, which belong to a group of common forest animals, into their natural habitat.

The team warned that red-eared slider turtles are an invasive alien species that can harm the environment.

It advised the public not to buy, sell, keep or transport the turtles and urged people to refrain from the illegal trade, transport or keeping of wildlife.

Violations may be subject to administrative penalties or other legal action, depending on their nature and severity, the team said.

Separately, on Friday, the team received 18 turtles handed over by the Tan Son Nhi Ward administration and police after they persuaded a local resident to voluntarily surrender the animals.

Forest rangers identified all 18 as three-striped box turtles (Malayemys subtrijuga), a rare and endangered forest animal listed in Group IIB under Vietnam’s regulations on endangered, precious and rare forest flora and fauna.

The turtles were taken into care for further handling in accordance with regulations, the team said.