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The Yangtze giant softshell turtle, also known as the Hoan Kiem turtle or Swinhoe’s softshell turtle, is native to China and Vietnam.

The Yangtze giant softshell turtle is now on the brink of extinction after a dead reptile of its kind washed up on the shores of Dong Mo Lake in Vietnam, measuring 156 centimeters long and weighing 93 kilograms

It’s reported that a “Hoàn Kiếm turtle” living in Hanoi has died, further impeding efforts by conservationists to keep the species from extinction.

So, stripping away the myth and metaphorical value of the turtle and what are we left with? An nondescript creature doomed for extinction thanks to humanity’s greed, violence and ignorance.

A total of 70 rescued turtles were released back to the wild on July 12 at the Sao La Nature Reserve in the central province of Thua Thien – Hue, the biggest number of the species received here so far.