Sacred, but ailing symbol of Vietnamese independence captured

An ailing giant turtle that is considered a sacred symbol of Vietnamese independence was captured today by rescuers who hope to give it urgent medical attention.

Thousands of onlookers cheered at Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, as the mammoth creature was finally pulled in after it was spotted with lesions on its neck and legs.

Legend has it that the turtle is the guardian of a magical sword once used in the 15th century to drive out Chinese invaders, according to Daily Mail.

Le Xuan Rao, director of the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology, said that workers practiced three times before the catch.

This was the second time that Hanoi fished out the turtle for treatment. The first time, on March 8, the mission failed because the turtle torn the net and escaped.

A "turtle hospital" was built on the Rua isle. Another tank, which is hundreds of square meters, is being built as the "sanitarium" for the treatment after it is treated on the Rua isle.

Hanoi authorities decided to fish out the turtle for treatment in February 2011, after several times the turtle floated to the surface with many wounds on its body.

Hanoi set up a steering board to save the turtle. Members include scientists and veterinary experts. The board has decided to treat and take care of the turtle in a process ranging between two months to two years, VietNamNet Bridge reports.