Turtle god

In Vietnam there is a lake called Hoan Kiem, or 'Lake of the Returned Sword', where legends say a Golden Lion Turtle, a demi-god, gave Lê Lợi, a Vietnamese emperor and one of the country's greatest heroes, a magical sword with which he fought to give Vietnam its independence from China. The story goes on to say that when the war was won and Lê Lợi returned to the lake, the Turtle god took the sword back.

The Hoan Kiem Turtle is likely the source of this legend. Take a look at him...



Unusual looking creature, isn't it?



There is only one known individual living in the lake, and some local people consider it a god. The species, Rafetus leloii, is found in a number of places nearby, and actually may be one in the same with another turtle.

However, status as a god is certainly one way to ensure an animal's safety, huh?