<b>Giant turtle found in Vietnam</b> (Pioneer)
Cleveland:Researchers from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo have discovered a rare giant turtle in northern Vietnam - a find that carries great scientific and cultural significance. Swinhoe's soft-shell turtle was previously thought to be extinct in the wild. Three other turtles of the species are in captivity.
The discovery represents hope for the species, said Doug Hendrie, the Vietnam-based coordinator of the zoo programme. Turtle expert Peter Pritchard, president of the Chelonian Research Institute, confirmed the find based on a photo Hendrie showed him.
There have been rumours for years of a mythical creature living deep in the waters of a northern Vietnam lake. Some villagers west of Hanoi claimed to be blessed by catching a glimpse of it's concave shell. <b>A national legend tells of a giant golden turtle that bestowed upon the Vietnamese people a magic sword and victory over Chinese invaders in the 16th century. Whether that sacred turtle has materialised in the 21st century will be a matter of cultural debate among the Vietnamese.</b>
Cleveland:Researchers from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo have discovered a rare giant turtle in northern Vietnam - a find that carries great scientific and cultural significance. Swinhoe's soft-shell turtle was previously thought to be extinct in the wild. Three other turtles of the species are in captivity.
The discovery represents hope for the species, said Doug Hendrie, the Vietnam-based coordinator of the zoo programme. Turtle expert Peter Pritchard, president of the Chelonian Research Institute, confirmed the find based on a photo Hendrie showed him.
There have been rumours for years of a mythical creature living deep in the waters of a northern Vietnam lake. Some villagers west of Hanoi claimed to be blessed by catching a glimpse of it's concave shell. <b>A national legend tells of a giant golden turtle that bestowed upon the Vietnamese people a magic sword and victory over Chinese invaders in the 16th century. Whether that sacred turtle has materialised in the 21st century will be a matter of cultural debate among the Vietnamese.</b>