When discovered by locals, the sea turtle weighed approximately 80 kg and was in a state of decomposition, measuring over 1.1 meters in length and with a shell width of 60 cm, washed ashore near the water’s edge.
On the morning of September 4, residents and workers cleaning up trash at Bai Trước on Quang Trung Street, Ward 1 (Vung Tau City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province) found a large dead sea turtle washed up on the beach.
Dead sea turtle at Bai Trước, Vung Tau City. (Photo: Doan Manh Duong/TTXVN).
The sea turtle was in a state of decomposition, measuring over 1.1 meters in length and with a shell width of 60 cm, having been washed ashore. Locals and workers moved the turtle further up the beach and reported the incident to the authorities.
According to a forestry officer, this sea turtle was a mature female, weighing around 80 kg, and had been dead for several days.
There was a long crack running along the turtle’s shell, but no additional injuries or missing parts were noted on its body. It is likely that the turtle was struck by the propeller of a boat while swimming, leading to its death.
The authorities have documented the incident and have assigned the Vung Tau Environmental and Urban Services Joint Stock Company to bury the sea turtle.
The Southern Fisheries Research Institute has taken samples to study this sea turtle.
The sea turtle (also known as the Green Sea Turtle), scientifically named Chelonia mydas, is listed as an endangered, rare species prioritized for protection under Decree 64/2019/ND-CP dated July 16, 2019, by the Government and Article 244 of the Penal Code.
