Gia Lai (VNA) – Five elongated tortoises, an endangered reptile species, have been voluntarily handed over to authorities in the central province of Gia Lai by a local resident, police said on December 16.
The resident found the tortoises while he was travelling along Cach Mang Thang Tam street in Pleiku ward. Recognising that the animals belonged to a rare species in need of protection, he contacted the Pleiku ward police to hand them over.
Following the handover, the police worked with forest rangers to examine the tortoises' health condition. The animals were then transferred to the Dak Doa area forest protection unit for further care and necessary procedures before their release back into the natural habitat.
The elongated tortoise is a wild species listed among endangered, precious, and rare wildlife subject to protection. The species primarily inhabits natural forest and plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance. However, its population is facing a serious decline due to habitat loss and human impacts.
Authorities noted that the voluntary handover of rare wildlife by residents not only enables timely rescue and conservation of animals that have strayed from their natural habitats but also reflects growing public awareness and sense of responsibility towards biodiversity protection. Such actions contribute to preventing illegal hunting, trading, and consumption of wildlife, helping to safeguard ecological sustainability./.
