The turtle, which is from the largest species of freshwater turtles found in Southeast Asia, was spotted by a member of the public as it was trying to cross the road in the Lim Chu Kang area in the north of the island republic.

The good samaritan saved the turtle, which had a fish hook lodged in its mouth, and sent it to Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), an animal welfare NGO in Singapore.

According to Acres, the turtle had a slightly deformed shell, which indicated it was likely kept illegally as a pet in a confined space, before it was abandoned.

Acres named the Malaysian giant turtle Rahayu, and have been caring for the endangered freshwater creature, which measures about 60cm to 70cm in length and weighs about 30kg, since it took custody.

The Singapore daily quoted Acres founder Louis Ng as saying that the group was not able to keep Rahayu in captivity any longer due to space constraints and contacted Malaysian authorities.

“We are very thankful that Perhilitan in Malaysia has been very receptive and very responsive as well. We want to make sure that Rahayu doesn’t go back to Malaysia and end up in another enclosure for the rest of her life,” he said, according to TODAY Online.

Ng added that after being picked up by Perhilitan, Rahayu will be released into a nature reserve in Pahang.

The Malaysian giant turtle usually faces the threat of being held captive or caught for possible use in the meat trade, traditional Chinese medicine and the illegal pet trade.

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