The Forest Protection Sub-department in the southern province of Ca Mau on Sunday released a large number of wild animals, weighing 20 tons in total, into U Minh Ha National Park.
The animals, which belong to more than 10 species including turtles, snakes, monkeys, birds, jungle pigs, storks, pythons, and varans, have been recovered from cases of wildlife violations discovered by local concerned agencies.
These species of animals are included in the list of wild animals of which hunting, capturing, transporting and trading are banned in any forms.
However, these animals have been targeted by many poachers who have tried to get them through trapping, shooting, fishing, and netting, the sub-department said.
Nguyen Van Tam, a resident in U Minh Ha forest, admitted that his family could earn more than VND10 million (US$480) per month by selling rare and precious wild animals.
Nguyen Van Dau, deputy head of the park, warned that forest rangers uncover at least 120 cases of poaching wild animals per month, and that the situation has worsened recently.
This is the third time this year that the sub-department has released wild animals into the park, which is located about 30 km from Ca Mau City.
This national park, located on an area of 82.86 square kilometers, was established in 2006 to protect the low wetland ecosystem in the region. Fauna and flora found here include mangroves, snakes, turtles, birds, and amphibians.
The park’s center is Vo Doi special use forest, where strict protection is provided for rare and valuable species listed in the Vietnam Red Book.