November 23, 2005

Turtle Training Course Focuses on Veterinary Care and Management of Confiscated Turtles in Vietnam

The trainees had the unique opportunity to practice their skills in a real-life environment when on the eve of the training course 26 turtles confiscated by Nghe An provincial wildlife protection authorities were turned over to the TCC.

The Cuc Phuong National Park Turtle Conservation Center (TCC) hosted Vietnam’s first chelonian veterinary training course in November for veterinary and keeper staff from four major wildlife rescue centers in Vietnam.

The training course focused on providing basic skills in handling, management and veterinary care of tortoises and fresh water turtles confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade.  The health management, treatment, quarantine and care portion of the course was instructed by Uli Streicher, a wildlife veterinarian with more than eight years experience working in Vietnam with confiscated animals.  Animal management and care was instructed by Bui Dang Phong, coordinator of the TCC, who also guided the trainees through methods for managing and processing shipments of turtles, including marking, weighing and measuring, and developing individual records for each animal received from the trade.  

A total of six trainees participated in the intensive three-day course, including a ranger from Ho Chi Minh FPD, a keeper from the new Cu Chi Rescue Center in Ho Chi Minh City, a keeper from the Pu Mat National Park Rescue Center, a vet from the Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park Rescue Center, a vet from Soc Son Rescue Center in Hanoi, and a vet from Wildlife At Risk (WAR).   The participants from Pu Mat and Ho Chi Minh’s Cu Chi Rescue Center were invited to stay on for an additional seven days to gain experience working with turtles at the TCC.

The captive management and veterinary care training course was a part of a range of activities undertaken by the Asian Turtle Program to strengthen the protection of tortoises and freshwater turtles in Vietnam.

Support for the training was provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and the Cuc Phuong Turtle Conservation Center (TCC).

For further information or questions, please contact:

Ms. Tran Thu Hang
Asian Turtle Program
Wildlife Conservation Society and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Tele.  04-775-3935
Email:  wcsvn@fpt.vn