On the 8^th and 9^th of November, 47 Bourret's Box Turtles (Cuora bourreti) were taken back to the wild in our third release of 2019. A protected area within the species’ native range in central Vietnam was selected for these lucky turtles. They were likely poached from forest areas in Lao PDR and central Vietnam and spent months of years in the illegal trade before they were confiscated in Quang Nam province in May 2018. The group was then rescued before undergoing a health screening process against Mycoplasma and Herpes virus, two of the most important turtle pathogens. Supportive care and treatment for these stressed turtles was provided by the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of Indo-Myanmar Conservation (IMC) and the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) of Cuc Phuong National Park.

              We are always striving to provide the best we can for animals rescued from the trade and maintained in captivity.  A rigorous process for ensuring the genetic and pathological health of turtles before they are released is ideal, despite the substantial costs and difficulties associated with it. It is hugely important to protect wild populations of turtles when returning confiscated turtles to natural habitats.

Article and photos: By Do Thanh Hao