Cuc Phuong Rescues Two Endangered Creatures
On September 16th, Cuc Phuong National Park successfully received a Javan pangolin and a Vietnamese box turtle from the authorities in Bac Giang province. Both species are listed in the Red Book and are strictly protected by law.
The Javan pangolin was confiscated by the Bac Giang Provincial Police from an illegal wildlife trafficking case in the province. Javan pangolins are often illegally hunted for their scales and meat due to their high value in traditional medicine and cuisine. After being rescued, the Javan pangolin was transferred to Cuc Phuong National Park for care and rehabilitation. The offender has been arrested and is facing legal consequences.
The Javan pangolin is currently being cared for and rehabilitated at Cuc Phuong National Park before being released back into the wild. (Image: Dan Viet newspaper)
The Vietnamese box turtle was discovered by locals wandering into a temple in the district. It was then handed over to the Lang Giang District Forest Protection Department (Bac Giang). The Vietnamese box turtle is one of the rarest turtles in the world, facing the threat of extinction due to habitat loss and hunting for the pet trade. Like the pangolin, the box turtle was brought to Cuc Phuong for care before being released back into the wild.
The golden-headed box turtle is one of the rarest turtles in the world, facing extinction due to habitat loss and being hunted for the pet trade. (Image: CP/ Dan Viet newspaper)
Caring for these animals requires a strict process, from monitoring their health to creating natural living environments and physical rehabilitation. Throughout the care process, the center’s veterinarians have checked the health condition of each individual and developed a suitable diet to ensure that they can fully recover before being reintroduced into the wild.
Although encouraging results have been achieved, wildlife conservation in Vietnam still faces many challenges. Illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking remain complex issues. Additionally, urbanization has contributed to the decline of natural habitats for many animal species.
Conservation work at Cuc Phuong National Park is one of many effortso to conserve and maintain Vietnam’s biodiversity. The successful rescue of these two individuals not only brings great joy but also serves as a reminder of humanity’s responsibility to nature. To protect and preserve the lives of endangered animals, each of us needs to continue to support conservation efforts and work together to protect the environment and preserve our common home and other living beings.
Source: Dan Viet newspaper
