Asian Soft Shelled Turtle
The species of Asian soft shelled Turtle is found in muddy bottoms of streams and rivers throughout Asia. These soft-shelled turtle feeds on inset larvae, crabs, fish and even fruits and seeds. In many places, this reptile has been commercially bred in farms for the herbal food trade.
An appeal here is to the people, who make purchases of these turtles locally and annually for the purpose of good gesture release into the sea. These are fresh water turtles and they will die of blood poisoning if they are released into the sea.
I am sad to learn that the organizers have in the past rescued such turtles on our local beaches, here in Singapore, especially during the period of Vesak holidays. We can only presume that the age-old practice of "mercy-releasing sea turtles" by posterity -seeking businessmen is still alive, except that sea turtles such as Hawsbills and Green Sea Turtles are now hard to obtain.
Julie Bawk (Kachin)
Photos credit: Google Image