Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

'Mythical' Giant Turtle Found in Vietnam

Animal, thought to be extinct, is the stuff of legend

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 17, 2008 10:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – A giant turtle thought to be extinct has been found in northern Vietnam, the AP reports. Scientists from the Cleveland Zoo discovered the Swinhoe's soft-shelled turtle when they followed up reports from villagers of a mythical creature living in a lake. Vietnamese legend tells of... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Associated Press (Source Grid »)

Legendary turtle dwells in Hanoi lake
Asian Turtle Network

Cleveland Metropark Zoo's turtle conservation program
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

World • Green

endangered species • Vietnam • zoo • amphibians • turtle

More Newser Stories

Vietnam Scrambles to Save Sacred Turtle

Hundred-year-old, giant turtle endangered by pollution

(NEWSER) - Hanoi residents crowded around a lake today to witness the military's rescue attempt of a sacred animal: a giant freshwater turtle thought to be up to 100 years old. The Rafeteus swinhoej in Hoan Kiem Lake is one of only four specimens known to be alive, and its 6-foot-long body is in a bad way, dotted by pink sores. Pollution of its home lake is thought to be the cause, and the military is attempting to transport it to cleaner climes with a giant net. So far, the turtle has escaped rescuers' grasp, the AP reports. More»

Endangered Frogs Find Their Noah

Amphibian Ark project aims to save 500 imperiled species

(NEWSER) - Half of all frog species are in danger of extinction, and conservationists are taking a page from the Bible in working to preserve them. A program called Amphibian Ark has named 2008 the Year of the Frog, and is working with zoos to harbor endangered species, including some that have vanished from the wild. The goal is to breed enough to revitalize the populations, reports the Washington Post. More»

Mystery Illness Kills 4 White Rhinos in Aussie Zoo

Experts baffled by white rhino die-off

(NEWSER) - Rhino experts from around the world have been stumped by an illness killing off white rhinos at an Australian zoo. Four white rhinos have died at the New South Wales zoo over the last few weeks. All of them died suddenly after displaying neurological problems like stumbling, the Age reports. The zoo, which runs a breeding program, has placed its remaining three white rhinos in quarantine. More»

Pocket of Asia Yields 208 New Species—in 1 Year

Mekong region's amazing biodiversity under threat, WWF warns

(NEWSER) - It's a region that produces a new species every other day: Carnivorous plants that can eat mice, birds, and lizards. An all-female species of lizard that reproduces by self-cloning. Brightly colored geckos bathed in orange, yellow, blue, and green markings. A noseless monkey that looks like it's wearing an Elvis wig. These are just a few of the 208 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region last year, reports the World Wildlife Fund . More»

Despite Oil, Sea Turtles Released in Gulf

Dangers of captivity greater than danger of getting oiled

(AP) - Federal biologists are releasing thousands of endangered Kemp's ridley baby sea turtles into the western Gulf of Mexico, betting that by the time the silver dollar-sized swimmers make it to the oil-fouled waters of the eastern Gulf, BP will have cleaned up its goopy mess. Texas has not been significantly impacted by the oil spill, and the risks of holding turtles in captivity at a critical stage could be worse than the dangers of oil more than 400 miles away, the plan's supporters say. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

'Mythical' Giant Turtle Found in Vietnam

Animal, thought to be extinct, is the stuff of legend

endangered species • Vietnam • zoo • amphibians • turtle

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Vietnam Scrambles to Save Sacred Turtle

Hundred-year-old, giant turtle endangered by pollution

Endangered Frogs Find Their Noah

Amphibian Ark project aims to save 500 imperiled species

Mystery Illness Kills 4 White Rhinos in Aussie Zoo

Experts baffled by white rhino die-off

Pocket of Asia Yields 208 New Species—in 1 Year

Mekong region's amazing biodiversity under threat, WWF warns

Despite Oil, Sea Turtles Released in Gulf

Dangers of captivity greater than danger of getting oiled

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?