Hoan Kiem turtle

Hoan Kiem turtle
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Trionychidae
Genus: Rafetus
Species:
R. leloii
Binomial name
Rafetus leloii
Đức, 2000
Synonyms
  • Rafetus vietnamensis (Lê Trần Bình 2010)
  • Rafetus leloii Hà Đình Đức, 2000

The Hoàn Kiếm turtle (Rafetus leloii) was an obsolete or controversial taxon of turtle from Southeast Asia, based on specimens from Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam. Most experts classify this turtle as synonymous with the rare Yangtze giant softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), although some Vietnamese biologists asserted that R. leloii is a distinct species. If the two taxa are to be considered distinct, R. leloii may be considered extinct. However a survey conducted in 2000 found several small populations including one juvenile in lakes in northern Vietnam.

The last known turtle, affectionately known to locals as "Cụ Rùa", meaning "great grandfather turtle" in Vietnamese, was reported dead on 26 January 2016. A local man saw the body of the turtle floating in the water and reported it to the authorities. The last time the turtle was spotted alive was on 28 December 2015.