The rare green sea turtle was released into the natural waters. Photo Lâm Đồng newspaper

LÂM ĐỒNG – A 12-kg rare green sea turtle was released into the natural waters of the Hòn Cau marine protected area, in Liên Hương Commune, Lâm Đồng Province, on Tuesday, following its rescue from a local power plant.

The animal belongs to the green sea turtle species (Chelonia mydas), which is listed as endangered and prioritised for protection in Việt Nam.

At midday on Monday, border guards from the Liên Hương port border gate station received the turtle after it had strayed into the cooling water channel of the Vĩnh Tân 1 thermal power plant in Vĩnh Hảo commune. Immediate contact was made with the reserve to provide care. A tracking chip was attached to the turtle for research and conservation purposes, with the animal found to be in stable health with no visible injuries.

Covering an area of approximately 12,500 ha, Hòn Cau boasts a diverse ecosystem of coral reefs and seagrass beds, serving as a habitat and nesting ground for numerous rare marine species, including sea turtles.

Also on Tuesday, officials and residents in Nhon Chau commune, Gia Lai Province, witnessed and assisted the release of 11 newly hatched green sea turtles into the sea.

The Nhơn Châu People’s Committee consistently encourages residents to report sightings of nesting female turtles or hatchlings, so that appropriate protective measures can be implemented, said its chairperson Dương Hiệp Hòa. VNA/VNS