A rare giant soft-shelled turtle with pearl-like growths over its shell has been captured by fishermen in eastern China, according to local newspapers. The turtle, whose kind is not commonly found in the area, is currently unharmed and is being cared for by a restaurant owner.

Reports indicate that the fishermen in Nanjing sold the over-sized turtle to a restaurant owner for 1,000 yuan. However, after a turtle expert told the restaurant owner that the turtle was more than 100 years old, he immediately decided to put the animal back to the wild.The turtle, which is about one feet and a half long and weighs 10 kilograms, is too heavy to be lifted by just one person.

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Since this type of turtle is not a government protected species, killing it is not illegal and the restaurant owner is free to serve the caught turtle as a delicacy. But many were delighted by the restaurant owner's decision to keep the old turtle alive instead. The restaurant owner has stated that he plans to release the turtle back into the wild after displaying it for people to see.

Crowds of curious onlookers visited the restaurant to catch a glimpse of the old turtle where it roamed free on the restaurant's front yard. The turtle's unnatural size and several unique pearl-like spots on its shell makes it a rare sight for locals.

In China, soft shell turtle soup is a delicacy well-regarded for improving a man's sexual performance. Soft-shelled turtles are served in restaurants as a specialty, having more value the older the meat gets.

Tagschinese fisherman, turtle, Mysterious century-old turtle, 100 Year Old Soft-Shelled Turtle China