Communities help protect rare wildlife and return them to nature

In recent years, public awareness of wildlife conservation has improved significantly. Many residents who encounter wild animals while working or farming have proactively contacted authorities to ensure the animals are safely rescued and returned to the wild.

Recently, Nguyen Van Giang, a resident of Truong Xuan Commune, discovered an unusual animal while working on his farm. Suspecting it might be a rare wild species, he immediately reported the case to local authorities.

After receiving the report, Truong Xuan Commune police and forest rangers identified the animal as a clouded monitor lizard (Varanus nebulosus). The species belongs to Group IB - a category of endangered and rare forest wildlife species given the highest level of protection in Vietnam.

The animal was later transferred to Bu Gia Map National Park for care and health monitoring before being released back into the wild.

Similar cases have also been recorded in other localities. On May 13, Le Van Thuc, a resident of Tien Thanh Ward, voluntarily handed over two slow lorises to local police, who later coordinated with relevant agencies to care for and preserve the animals according to regulations.

In another case, a resident in Hoa Ninh Commune discovered a bird in his garden and initially kept it after noticing it could not fly away. Following guidance from local police on wildlife protection laws, he voluntarily handed over the bird to authorities.

The bird was later identified as an oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), a protected species listed under Group IIB of Vietnam’s endangered wildlife classification. After health checks and necessary procedures, the bird was released back into its natural habitat.

Authorities in Dak Mil Commune also handed over a long-tailed macaque voluntarily handed over by a local resident after the animal wandered into his farm. Following inspection procedures, the macaque was safely returned to the wild.

According to the provincial Forest Protection Department, the voluntary surrender of rare wildlife plays an important role in protecting endangered species while reflecting growing public responsibility toward environmental and biodiversity conservation.

Authorities also highlighted the increasing role of local police, forest rangers and local governments in raising awareness and guiding residents on proper handling procedures when encountering wild animals.

The Forest Protection Department has urged residents not to hunt, capture, transport, trade or keep wild animals illegally, and to immediately notify authorities when discovering rare wildlife or related violations.