Rare Giant Turtle Found In Mekong

[farangsay]

One of the world's largest turtles, said to be on the brink of extinction, has been found in abundance in a former Khmer Rouge stronghold in Cambodia....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6662589.stm

[kmart]

Good news. Recently came across a (dead) giant turtle washed up on the beach at Ko Samet. The huge size of it really surprised me.

[kratindaeng]

I want one!

[farangsay]

I want one!

The species has a rubbery skin and a powerful bite, with jaws strong enough to crush bone.

It spends most of its time hidden in sand with only its eyes or nose showing.

Mr Emmett said the turtle could extend its neck with lightning speed.

"It has the fastest strike of any animal I've ever seen, including cobras."

Be careful what you wish for.

[kratindaeng]

I want one!

The species has a rubbery skin and a powerful bite, with jaws strong enough to crush bone.

It spends most of its time hidden in sand with only its eyes or nose showing.

Mr Emmett said the turtle could extend its neck with lightning speed.

"It has the fastest strike of any animal I've ever seen, including cobras."

Be careful what you wish for.

I dont want one anymore.......

[Old Croc]

I've never previously heard of this species. Great find of a very rare animal.

Watch the locals kill it off for aphrodisiac or food puposes.

[Nibor1945]

One of the world's largest turtles, said to be on the brink of extinction, has been found in abundance in a former Khmer Rouge stronghold in Cambodia....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6662589.stm

Excellent news, shall I bring my own soup spoon? TIT.

[kmart]

I've never previously heard of this species. Great find of a very rare animal.

Watch the locals kill it off for aphrodisiac or food puposes.

It might be nice if occasionally someone discovers something, says nothing, and then just puts it back quietly where they found it.

"Discovery Of New Species!" ... Sounds like a death knell for the poor creature already. Or at least a new entry on an "exotic" restaurant menu.

[Nibor1945]

I've never previously heard of this species. Great find of a very rare animal.

Watch the locals kill it off for aphrodisiac or food puposes.

It might be nice if occasionally someone discovers something, says nothing, and then just puts it back quietly where they found it.

"Discovery Of New Species!" ... Sounds like a death knell for the poor creature already. Or at least a new entry on an "exotic" restaurant menu.

My point exactly.

[0Mix1up]

I would imagine locals have been chomping on them before now or at least their ancestors,

so the "discovery" is ???

One could hope that international exposure may give it a chance of survival

[larvidchr]

What great news, it usually goes the other way, lets hope they will be able to protect it.

[torito]

What great news, it usually goes the other way, lets hope they will be able to protect it.

Yeah..I can image the first question that locals will make..."kin dai?"

[TBWG]

I've never previously heard of this species. Great find of a very rare animal.

Watch the locals kill it off for aphrodisiac or food puposes.

Hi

They hope to prevent illegal fishing of the species, which is an expensive delicacy in Vietnam.

nuff said

TBWG

[khall64au]

Not so long ago, I was invited on a tourism-sponsored trip to promote a certain northern region. One stop on the itinerary promoted the plight of an endangered species ...

Guess what was on the menu that night for dinner?

I kid you NOT!!!!!

[Richb2004v2]

Didn't some one recently catch a huge catfish in one of the rivers? A camera crew paid to have it released back into the river. The next day the river was full of fisherman hoping to recapture it with the hope of again being paid to re-release it. I never heard if they were successful. .