Vietnamese vets showed a little tender, loving care to an ailing and rare giant turtle that has lived for decades in the heart of Hanoi - and is considered sacred. The 440-pound behemoth was pulled from Hoan Kiem Lake to determine the cause of several lesions afflicting it.
The giant soft-shell turtle is thought to be around 80-to-100-years-old and is believed to be only one of four of its species left. Many Vietnamese believe the turtle is actually a mythical creature that is said to have helped an ancient king defeat invading Chinese forces six centuries ago.
The species, Rafetus sinhoei, is one of the world's most endangered freshwater turtles. (source:nydailynews.com)
