A sacred giant turtle venerated as a symbol of Vietnam's independence struggle has died, state media said, prompting an outpouring of grief and fears the death bodes ill for an upcoming communist leadership handover.
The reptile, a critically endangered swinhoe softshell turtle, occupies a key mythological role in Vietnam -- in the past the turtle generally surfaced only rarely, with its sightings deemed auspicious.
Some scientists believe it was one of only four turtles -- better known as Yangtze giant softshells -- in existence. Two are in China and the other lives in a different lake in Hanoi.
It was found dead in Hoan Kiem lake in central Hanoi late Tuesday, the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper said.
The turtle, which weighed about 200 kilogrammes (440 pounds), was said to be between 80 and 100 years old. Cont.
Story from - Channel News Asia
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