Hong Kong is home to the only golden coin turtle (Cuora trifasciata) in the world after the species was wiped out across southern China and Vietnam by widespread trapping and harvesting. This is one of the most endangered turtle species in the world, according to a 2003 assessment by the IUCN.
The golden coin turtles are used in traditional Chinese medicine as cancer cure and the key ingredient for the medicinal dessert guilínggao. An adult golden coin costs as much as HK$10,000 (US$1,300) in Hong Kong. The high market value for golden coin turtles leads to over-collection, and they have disappeared over much of their range. In Vietnam, villagers say they can exchange a baby golden coin turtle for a buffalo. Similarly, some mainland Chinese will have enough money to build a house if they were able to catch an adult turtle and sell it!
Plase sign the petition to tell the Hong Kong government to better protect golden coin turtle from poaching and urge for tougher penalties against poachers who are pushing a critically endangered turtle to the verge of extinction.
