Vietnam Central Highlands releases endangered wildlife to natural habitat

Most of the rare animal species released back into the Central Highlands forests have adapted well, showing flexibility and quickly mastering the skills needed to find food in the wild.

On July 2, a representative from the Wildlife Rescue Department (under the Center for Elephant Conservation, Wildlife Rescue, and Forest Management of Dak Lak, located in Buon Don commune, Dak Lak province) reported that since mid-June, the Center has collaborated with relevant agencies such as forest rangers and the police to release 12 individuals of rare and endangered wildlife back into the forests of Chu Yang Sin National Park.

Several species are listed under strict protection regulations, including the Javan pangolin, pig-tailed macaque, long-tailed macaque, giant Asian pond turtle, impressed tortoise, clouded monitor lizard, and common palm civet.

The Javan pangolin is a critically endangered and highly protected species, listed in the global Red List. It is prioritized for conservation and is strictly prohibited from being exploited, used, or traded in any form under the law.

According to Vietnamese law, the pig-tailed macaque is a rare and threatened wildlife species classified under Group IIB. Hunting, transporting, and trading this species are considered illegal. Currently, pig-tailed macaques are primarily found in natural forests in the Central, Central Highlands, and Northwestern regions of Vietnam.

The giant Asian pond turtle is now a species with a very limited population due to frequent hunting. This rare and endangered species inhabits natural environments in several provinces across Vietnam, including Dak Lak, Gia Lai, and Dong Nai.

The impressed tortoise is a rare and endangered wildlife species, also classified under Group IIB, with the scientific name Cuora mouhotii. It is mainly distributed in provinces such as Lao Cai, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Dak Lak.

The common palm civet is a threatened and rare wildlife species whose wild population is declining sharply. It faces a high risk of extinction and urgently needs conservation and population recovery efforts.

According to Mr. Le Van Hong, Head of the Wildlife Rescue Department (under the Center for Elephant Conservation, Wildlife Rescue, and Forest Management of Dak Lak), before being released back into the wild, all of these rare individuals had been received, cared for, and thoroughly examined for health by the Center. As a result, once returned to their natural forest habitat, they were able to adapt and survive effectively quickly.