Vietnam receives 28 rare turtles repatriated from South Korea

The turtles include Indochinese box turtles (Cuora galbinifrons), central Vietnamese flowerback box turtle (Cuora bourreti), keeled box turtles (Cuora mouhotii), and black-breasted leaf turtles (Geoemyda spengleri). All are critically endangered species native to Vietnam, threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and illegal wildlife trade.

Authorities said the transport, quarantine, and handover process followed strict Vietnamese law, CITES regulations, and international veterinary standards to ensure animal welfare and disease safety.

After mandatory quarantine, the turtles will be cared for and monitored at Cuc Phuong National Park’s specialized facilities.

Those deemed suitable may be used for conservation breeding, education, and potentially reintroduced into the wild.

The Forestry and Forest Protection Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, emphasized that the repatriation highlights the effectiveness of international cooperation in protecting endangered wildlife.

It also demonstrates Vietnam’s commitment to enforcing CITES and combating illegal wildlife trafficking.

Kyuho Kang, a researcher at South Korea’s National Institute of Ecology, personally transported the turtles to Vietnam.

He explained that the animals had been seized at South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, likely linked to illegal wildlife trade.

Since the species are not native to South Korea, they could not be released there.

“As a result, we had to identify appropriate locations or conservation centers around the world to care for and protect these animals while supporting conservation efforts in the wild,” Kang said.

“Cooperation between rescue centers and conservation facilities is essential to save endangered wildlife."