According to Vinh, a member of the Indo-Myanmar Conservation (IMC), which oversees a project for the conservation of the Hoan Kiem Turtle, found the dead Swinhoe's softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) at the lake.

Experts are conducting research on its body to determine its age and cause of death, he said.

The turtle had been chipped and released into the lake back in 2020. It was 1.56 metres in length and weighed 93 kg.

The creature was first described back in 1873, although there has been very little research done on this giant soft-shell turtle.

There are thought to only be four left in the world, with two in China, one in Dong Mo lake, and the other residing in Xuan Khanh lake.

The last known Rafetus swinhoei living in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem lake passed away in 2016.

An expert from IMC said that there is at least one Rafetus swinhoei living in Dong Mo Lake at present.

Quang Phong