Cuc Phuong National Park rescued Chinese pangolin by air

On March 22, 2023, Cuc Phuong National Park, in collaboration with the Organism Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center of Cat Tien National Park and Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW), received one Chinese pangolin voluntarily handed over by the people in Bac Lieu.

According to the information provided by the people, they found this pangolin individual on the street. After one week of rescue and primary care at Cat Tien, this pangolin was transported by plane to Noi Bai airport on March 31 and then transferred to the Organism Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center in Cuc Phuong National Park to serve the breeding and conservation program for this rare and precious animal.

The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN because of the decline in wild populations of up to 80% caused by excessive illegal hunting and trade for meat and scales, putting the species at risk of extinction.

In response to the importance and urgency of protecting rare and precious animals, Cuc Phuong National Park has continuously received and successfully rescued a series of wild animals from localities nationwide in recent times.

Specifically, on consecutive days of March 5, March 8, and March 10, the Organism Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center of Cuc Phuong National Park received and rescued two pangolin individuals handed over from the Quang Tri Provincial Investigation Police, along with one Java pangolin from Da Nang city’s Forest Protection Department and one masked palm civet from Thuong Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province.

After that, on March 12, 2023, the Center successfully received and rescued two pangolins from the Environmental Police Department, Ha Tinh Provincial Police, which were the exhibits seized in a case of illegal critically endangered animal transportation in the territory of Khi Thuong village, Son Tay commune, Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province.

On March 13, 2023, the Center continued to receive and rescue two animal individuals (suspected to be masked palm civets) from the police agency of Lac Thuy district, Hoa Binh province. The above-mentioned animals are temporary exhibits from the violation that occurred on March 13, 2023, in the area of Zone I, Chi Ne town, Lac Thuy district, Hoa Binh province.

According to recorded information, of which one individual is alive, healthy, in stable health, without scratches, weighing 4.5 kg; and one live individual with swelling and inflammation of the left front foot, stress, poor health, and a weight of 3.7kg.

Currently, all the above-mentioned animals have been rescued and safely moved to Cuc Phuong National Park, where they are being cared for, treated, and raised by veterinary experts in the quarantine area of the Park’s Organism Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center.

In recent years, it has been recorded that not only the Forester Force but also many agencies, units, and functional forces as well as people nationwide participate in the discovery, rescue, and handover of many wild animals to the Rescue and Conservation Centers for care and nurturing. This is a positive signal for those doing rescue work, wildlife conservation in particular, and nature conservation in general, with the desire of the whole society to join hands to protect wildlife and "Mother Nature".