Rare golden-fronted box turtles are released back into the natural environment of Pu Huong.

Recently, the Management Board of Pu Huong Nature Reserve (Nghe An province) said that the unit coordinated with the Quy Hop Forest Protection Department and the Quy Hop Commune Police to release a Northern yellow-fronted box turtle - a wild animal in the critically endangered group - back into the natural environment in the core area of ​​the reserve.

People hand over a Northern yellow-fronted box turtle – a wild animal in the critically endangered group. Photo: VT

Previously, on November 2, Mr. Truong Van An (resident of Quy Hop commune, Nghe An province) discovered a turtle crawling across the road. Realizing many characteristics that matched the Northern yellow-fronted box turtle - a species classified in group IB according to Circular 27/2025/TT-BNNMT, prohibiting exploitation and trade for commercial purposes - he proactively contacted the authorities and brought it to the Quy Hop commune police.

After receiving it, the Commune Police coordinated with the Quy Hop Forest Protection Department to complete the procedures according to regulations and handed over the turtle to Pu Huong Nature Reserve for care and monitoring.

Forces receiving yellow-fronted box turtles and releasing them into the wild. Photo: VT

The yellow-fronted box turtle (of the swamp turtle family) is distributed in many regions in Asia and part of Europe. In Vietnam, this species has 3 subspecies including the northern, central and southern yellow-fronted box turtles.

The turtle is easily recognizable by its tall, humped shell, brown or dark black with yellow stripes; the plastron consists of two pieces, the front of which can be completely closed when threatened. The northern subspecies (Cuora galbinifrons) has a humped yellow shell with a distinct pattern, a head with characteristic black and gray spots, and an average size of about 28 cm long.

Yellow-fronted box turtles were released into Pu Huong Nature Reserve. Photo: VT

Pu Huong Nature Reserve, covering more than 46,400 hectares, is one of the country's important special-use forests and one of the three core zones of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO in 2007. The reserve currently records over 1,800 plant species, including 130 endangered species; and nearly 570 animal species, with 69 species listed in the Vietnam Red Book. This is also an important habitat for many native turtle species, especially the yellow-fronted box turtle, a species facing the risk of decline.

According to the Pu Huong Conservation Area Management Board, the re-release of the yellow-fronted box turtle not only contributes to the conservation of rare genetic resources but also demonstrates effective coordination between local people and authorities in the protection of rare wildlife.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/rua-hop-tran-vang-quy-hiem-duoc-tai-tha-ve-moi-truong-tu-nhien-pu-huong-10313958.html