How much does a golden coin turtle cost, and is it a nationally protected animal?
The golden coin turtle is a traditional Chinese medicinal material and also a precious animal resource, holding important significance and economic value in medicine, ornamental appreciation, craft production, food, and modern scientific research. So what about the price of the golden coin turtle? Is it a protected animal?
On the market, the price of the golden coin turtle is mainly determined by its variety. A Hainan golden coin turtle costs around 20,000 to 25,000 yuan each, while a Vietnamese golden coin turtle costs around 30,000 yuan each. The above are only the prices of hatchlings; mature young turtles reach over 200,000 yuan each, such as a mature male Vietnamese golden coin turtle with a pale plastron at around 380,000 yuan, a male golden coin turtle with a black plastron at around 250,000 yuan, a male Hainan variety golden coin turtle at around 180,000 yuan, and a Guangdong variety golden coin turtle at around 120,000 yuan.
The golden coin turtle has extremely high ornamental value and has traditionally been regarded in southern regions as a precious tonic. However, due to malicious hunting by people, the number of wild turtles has become very scarce, and they have basically become extinct except in remote deep mountains and old forests. In 1988, China listed the golden coin turtle as a national second-class protected wild animal, which greatly increased its status and made its price expensive, reaching an alarming level. Although this factor has had an influence, the soaring price of the golden coin turtle is also inseparable from some people who maliciously speculate on prices.
The golden coin turtle is a national second-class key protected wild animal, which means it is a legally protected animal. If one wishes to keep it, one must apply to the local fishery administrative department for a “License for the Domestication and Breeding of Aquatic Wild Animals” or enter into a joint operation with a large turtle farm; otherwise, it constitutes illegal operation. When artificially breeding golden coin turtles, one must pay attention to the various habits of the golden coin turtle. Although the golden coin turtle is docile in temperament, long-term separation from the wild environment can also affect its health.
In terms of the current situation, the state has carried out vigorous protection work for the golden coin turtle, mainly through artificial breeding. The development of artificial breeding of the golden coin turtle can not only increase its population and meet people's various needs for the golden coin turtle, but also, when appropriate, allow it to be released back into nature to increase the population in the wild.
The above is some of the current situation regarding the golden coin turtle. The number of golden coin turtles has already become very scarce. While the state carries out protection, it also depends on individual efforts. “No buying and selling, no killing.” At the same time, we must also raise our environmental awareness; the Earth is also the home of these lovely animals.