On the lookout for the giant turtle of Hanoi's Hoam Kiem Lake

Hanoi is buzzing over the fate of a giant 100 year-old turtle that lives in picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. One of Vietnam’s oldest citizens, the turtle has a shell that measures 6 feet long by 4 feet wide. But these days, it’s not doing so well. 

Numerous lesions have appeared on its neck and legs, which authorities attribute to its contact with concrete objects and other detritus thrown into the water over the years, The sores have been infected, possibly by raw sewage, endemic to the lake, which is located in the center of Hanoi. 

Veterinarians are trying to secure the turtle, and have enlisted the assistance of the military, who tried to surround the turtle with a net and capture it. No luck, the turtle is too smart, and keeps escaping. Amidst the controversy, Hanoi officials are reviewing the pollution situation in the lake. As of this writing, the drama continues to unfold, as the citizens of Hanoi desperately hope to prolong the life of this beloved denizen of their city.