Hai Van Ward Rescues and Releases Two Rare Wild Animals into Forest

In Vietnam's central Hai Van Pass, local authorities have successfully rescued and released two rare wild animals, an Asian leaf turtle and a reticulated python, from poachers. This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by the Vietnamese government to conserve biodiversity. On the afternoon of September 13, during a patrol in Sub-compartment 14 on the Hai Van Pass, officers from the Hai Van Border Guard Station detected an individual engaged in illegal wildlife poaching. The suspect fled into the forest, abandoning two animals upon the approach of law enforcement. The rescued animals were identified as an Asian leaf turtle (Cyclemys dentata) weighing approximately 4 kg and a reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) weighing roughly 5 kg. Both species are classified under Group IIB of endangered, precious, and rare forest wildlife according to Vietnamese Government Decree No. 06/2019/ND-CP, as amended by Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP. The Hai Van Ward People’s Committee, in collaboration with forest protection authorities, completed the necessary legal documentation after verifying the species. Nguyen Thuc Dung, Chairman of the Hai Van Ward People’s Committee, personally oversaw the release of the animals back into their natural habitat, contributing to the preservation of local biodiversity and the area's ecosystem. The committee has strongly urged the public to refrain from hunting, killing, keeping, caging, transporting, trading, or consuming wildlife. Citizens are also requested to promptly report any discoveries of rare or endangered animals to municipal authorities, including the Ward People’s Committee, Forest Protection agencies, or the Border Guard, rather than capturing or trading them. Under Government Decree No. 06/2019/ND-CP (as amended by Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP), illegal acts involving forest animals, particularly endangered and rare species, such as hunting, killing, keeping, caging, transporting, or trading, are strictly prohibited and subject to legal prosecution.