While thousands of onlookers cheered, 50 volunteers managed to capture "Grandfather," the turtle who has lived in Lake Hoan Kiem in Hanoi, and now he will receive treatment for his wounds.

The giant softshell turtle has been a symbol of Vietnam independence and is reverently called Grandfather. It is one of four Rafetus Swinhoei turtles known in existence.
From the Citizen:

This time about 50 rescuers took about two hours --- and three nets of varying sizes -- to finally bring the turtle under control.

Some of the workers swam with the netted reptile, leading it into a cage which was escorted by two boats to an islet where its condition is to be assessed.

"This is one of the most endangered animals in the world and there's very little known about it," said Tim McCormack of the Asian Turtle Programme, a Hanoi-based conservation and research group.

Local media reported that the critically endangered soft-shell turtle, which weighs about 200 kilograms (440 pounds), had been injured by fish hooks and small red-eared turtles which have appeared in the lake in recent years.

The animal's status in Vietnam stems from its history and its home in Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Returned Sword), rather than its rarity.

"It's very important culturally here," said McCormack.

The lake is also heavily polluted, which also plays a role in the sores on Grandfathers body. He is currently being contained on an islet in a tank with clean filtered water to help aid healing.