World's Rarest Turtle Nearly Becomes Soup

foxnews ^ | December 01, 2008

[JoeProBono]

A rare East Asian turtle, one of just four believed left in the world, was swept away by a flood, taken hostage by an enterprising fisherman and nearly ended up in a soup pot.Instead, the 150-pound animal returned to its lake Wednesday and conservationists celebrated their deal with the fisherman — the turtle's freedom in exchange for about $200 and two new fishing nets.

[JoeProBono]

Douglas Hendrie and other conservationists had been trying to find the turtle for two weeks after floods washed the animal out of Dong Mo Lake near Hanoi.

"Thank god it's over," said Hendrie, director of the Asian Turtle Program at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo who also works with the conservation group, Education for Nature Vietnam. "We're happy that the turtle is back in the lake."

Conservationists and forest rangers wrestle the rare turtle back to Dong Ma Lake outside Hanoi, Vietnam.

[JoeProBono]

[OneWingedShark]

Why “mock” turtle?

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[LiberConservative]

Good news. Turtles are cool.

[OneWingedShark]

*clap, clap, clap!* Much better, and classy too! ;)

[Daffynition]

Don't forget the camouflage...

[AirForceMom]

For $200.00 I bet that poor turtle gets “rescued” a few more times.

[JoeProBono]

[weegee]

If only they cared so much about the people in Vietnam.

[pabianice]

Bravo Zulu! Turtles rule!

[JoeProBono]

[MIchaelTArchangel]

If that freakin’ turtle can’t find a mate and there aren’t 100 eggs laid and fertilized, then turtle soups ought to be on the menu along with enviro-wacko roasts.