A manouria impressa which typically lives in wet valleys, and feeds on mushrooms, fallen fruits, and grass. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Nam

THANH HOÁ — Some 15 big-headed turtles and 10 impressed tortoises have been found at the Pu Hu Nature Reserve in the central province of Thanh Hoá under a two-year project starting in 2020.

The Management Board of the Pù Hu Nature Reserve analysed morphological and phylogeographic identities of the two endangered species, scientifically known as Platysternon megacephalum and manouria impressa, towards building a species density map, said Deputy Director of the board Đàm Duy Đông.

As part of the project, the board will also organise conferences and training courses for officials, hand out leaflets to raise public awareness of the conservation work, and develop management software, he added.

A Platysternon megacephalum individual besides a communication device used by rangers for scale. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Nam

The big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is an evolutionary distinct and globally endangered freshwater turtle species. The primary threat to the species is illegal hunting and trade.

Impressed tortoises are native to mountainous forest areas in Southeast Asia, including Việt Nam. Usually living on land in crevices and valleys, they are listed in the Red Book of Việt Nam, considered a rare and endangered forest animal that needs to be protected. — VNS