Published on Dec 2, 2014
The Hoàn Kiếm turtle (Rafetus leloii) is a controversial taxon of turtle from Southeast Asia, with one known living specimen in Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam. This individual is affectionately known as Cụ Rùa, meaning “great grandfather turtle” in Vietnamese. Although some Vietnamese scientists insist that the leloii is a distinct species from the Yangtze giant softshell turtle Rafetus swinhoei, most authorities classify it as synonymous with the latter species.[1] If the two “forms” are to be considered identical, there are four living specimens left in the world.
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