In October, an emergency translocation was carried out for a group of 21 Manouria impressa that were recovered in healthy condition from the trade after being seized in a shipment originating from Nghe An Province. The Manouria were transported overland to Pu Mat Nature Reserve in southern Nghe An, and released into the forest (show in photos, left). Manouria impressa are native to Pu Mat, and the release was carried out in cooperation with Ninh Binh and Pu Mat Forest Protection Department ranger

     During late summer the TCEP launched its first formal release of turtles confiscated from hunters and traders, releasing Pyxidea mouhotii at Cuc Phuong National Park. In this case, the Pyxidea were confiscated from a local hunter in the western Boui River Valley by Cuc Phuong rangers. A second release in October followed the arrest of a hunter in the park's interior. Several more Pyxidea mouhotii were confiscated and released by TCEP staff and rangers. Also in October, Nho Quan District rangers (along the northeastern border of the park) arrested a regional trader as he transported turtles and snakes from several local commune-level traders. Sixteen more Pyxidea mouhotii were recovered and turned over the TCEP. The turtles were processed and photographed before being released back into the park.
     The Cuc Phuong and Nho Quan ranger forces deserve special recognition for recovering animals before the animals were transported from the source region. Recently confiscated animals require minimal rehabilitation time before they may be placed back into what is known to be their native range, natural habitat, and region of origin.