A rare photo of the giant turtle in Ha Noi's Hoan Kiem Lake. Some experts have proposed removing the turtle from the lake for medical treatment. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhat Anh

The proposal was made on Tuesday in Ha Noi at an international conference of scientists and advisors concerned with the protection of the turtle, which has been given status in legend.

The meeting heard that the critically endangered Swinhoe soft-shell turtle had suffered serious injuries and needed treatment.

Ha Noi aquatic expert Nguyen Ngoc Khoi said a smaller species of red-eared turtle in the lake were suspected of biting the turtle's wounds, while Phan Thi Van from the Centre for Environment and Aquatic Diseases Research said the injuries could have been caused by parasites and viruses.

Associate Professor Ha Dinh Duc said photos of the turtle showed it had sustained several wounds on its shell and neck.

The fact that the turtle was floating more than normal could be a sign of bad health or injuries, Duc said, adding that the turtle's naturally lived on the bottom of a lake.

He said the turtle floated 72 times in 2007 while last year it was estimated to have risen above the surface 134 times.

"The seriously polluted environment of the lake, with its harmful micro-organisms, have contributed to the situation," Duc said.

However, experts have raised concerns over the feasibility and methods of moving the turtle out of the lake for treatment.

Ecology Association vice chairman Mai Dinh Yen proposed a net be used to catch the turtle and put it on a stretcher for transport to a veterinary clinic.

Nguyen Ngoc Khoi suggested using a helicopter to avoid injury.

Nimal Fernando, a senior veterinarian from Ocean Park in Hong Kong, said treatment and surgery for the turtle could take six months.

He said the best solution was to leave him in the lake and provide on-site treatment in combination with improving his environment.

He said the turtle could be mated with those in China to preserve the species.

Timothy McCormack from the Asia Turtle Programme said the risks in moving the turtle out of the lake were multiplied by the nation's lack of technology and experience.

Only three of about five turtles believed to be in existence were in captivity, he said. One was in Hoan Kiem Lake and two were in Chinese zoos.

He said investigations were continuing in the north of Viet Nam to find out if there were others in existence.

He added the programme had tried to get the turtles to multiply by transplant methods and others without success.

Kim Van Van from the Ha Noi Agriculture University warned against causing the turtle stress, by moving it or by changing its living environment, such as exposing it to humidity or visitors.

Van suggested using a tank near the lake for treatment, which could take one to two months.

Viet Nam Zoology Association chairman Dang Huy Huynh said the turtle should be listed in Viet Nam's Red Book as one of the important problems to solve.

(VNS, 17/2/2011)