Rumors had been murmured for years of a mythical beast living deep in the waters of a northern Vietnam lake. Some in a village west of Hanoi claimed to be blessed by catching a mere glimpse of the creature's concave shell as it crested above the surface of their lake.

But the fact that the species - known by scientists as a Swinhoe's soft-shell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) - is still alive in the wild at all is equally exhilarating news to scientists.

It's especially exciting to researchers for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Asian Turtle Program. They will announce their discovery today.

"This is an incredibly important discovery because the Swinhoe's turtle is one of the most critically endangered species of turtle in the world," said Doug Hendrie, the Vietnam-based coordinator of the zoo program.

He said the turtle remains in the lake and that researchers notified the Vietnamese government of its existence.

Hendrie said only three others are alive, all in captivity - two in Chinese zoos and the other cared for in the Hoan Kiem ("Returned Sword") Lake in downtown Hanoi.

"Finding one still living in the wild represents hope for the species - that others will be found and that the species will prevail in nature," Hendrie said.
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So how big is the turtle?

Jeez, you had to make me work and look this up They measure 100 cm in length, 70cm in width, and weigh approximately 120-140kg....The two that are in the China zoo are 80 and 100 years old......Your welcome.....

Thank you goalienan, you're awesome! (it's not the Gamera size I was thinking though )