Updates On 28th Aug 2013
ACRES 
Aug 28, 2013 
ACRES, NGOs 
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For this week animal care update, we have great news to share about Captain Hook, our resident Pig-nosed turtle(Carettochelys insculpta). Captain Hook is one the giants at the ACRES wildlife rescue centre. He is our biggest Pig-nosed turtle and our second biggest turtle.
Yet another victim of the illegal wildlife trade, He was probably smuggled into Singapore together with many others to be sold as pets. Captain Hook was found more than 2 years ago abandoned by ACRES rescue team and a medical check revealed that he had a fishing hook with a line lodged inside him. However this didn’t affect his overall health or appetite and to surgically remove the hook was deemed a very risky move.
More than two and a half years after being housed at ACRES, during routine cleaning of his tank, a hook with a line was found. The hook had become dislodged and had been passed out naturally. We are closely monitoring his behavior/appetite for now for any abnormalities.
More about Pig-nosed turtles:
Pig-nosed are unique freshwater turtles native to Australia and Papa New Guinea. Unlike other freshwater turtles whose feet are webbed, Pig-nosed turtles have flippers; resembling marine turtles. Constant poaching for the illegal trade has pushed these poor turtles to the vulnerable list under IUCN. In the wild, they have been known to weigh up to 20 kilograms. Due to their aggressive and territorial nature, Pig-nosed turtles are hard to be kept together. Pig-nosed turtles at ACRES are fed a daily diet comprising vegetables, fruits and meat.
Source: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151637406606523&set=a.223077136522.136042.22159071522&type=1&relevant_count=1
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