‘Waging war’ against mass wild bird hunting

The migration season reaches its peak from September to November every year, as wild birds seek suitable habitats such as wetlands and tidal flats - places rich in food, in order to forage and rest before continuing their journey to escape the northern cold.

Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city are ideal destinations for many species of wild birds to migrate. However, due to profit-seeking and consumption habits, countless birds lose the chance to continue their journey. The situation of mass trapping and slaughter of wild birds have resurfaced on tidal flats and reed fields, with an increase of varieties of equipment such as mist nets, decoys, and sound lures.

Following the plan jointly issued by the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, along with directives from the Department of Forestry and Forest Rangers, on November 18 and 19, the Sub-department of Forest Ranger Region 1 coordinated with Quang Ninh and Hai Phong forest rangers to conduct simultaneous inspections and raids.

Across the reed fields of Ha An ward, Region 1 forest rangers, Quang Ninh forest rangers, and local police and militia discovered, dismantled, and destroyed nearly 6,000 meters of nylon nets, 250 bamboo stakes, dozens of fake bird decoys and foam egrets, along with speakers, amplifiers, and batteries used for illegal hunting. Dozens of trapped birds, including egrets, pond herons, coucals, and coots, were freed back into nature.

According to Tran Van Mau, Head of the Mobile Forest Ranger and Forest Fire Prevention Team (Sub-department of Forest Ranger Region 1), the perpetrators used increasingly sophisticated tactics. They rely on “invisible” monofilament nets stretched densely like a “heaven-and-earth trap,” combined with decoys, which are real or foam birds, and sound devices to lure birds into nets. These actions violate the law and severely harm biodiversity and ecological balance.

“High profit is the reason. Hunters can sometimes earn millions of dong per night supplying wild birds to restaurants. This has driven many people to hunt secretly, especially at night or in remote areas,” said Mau.

Along with the crackdown on hotspots in Quang Ninh, Region 1 forest rangers in Kien Hung commune (Hai Phong city) have also dismantled and destroyed nearly 4,000 meters of nylon nets, 200 bamboo stakes, fake decoys, foam egrets, and related hunting equipment, releasing trapped birds back into the wild. This decisive action underscores the strong commitment of authorities to protect wildlife, particularly migratory birds, during their seasonal return.

In addition to dismantling traps, Region 1 forest rangers are working with localities to strengthen public awareness campaigns on the importance of protecting migratory wild birds and legal regulations on wildlife protection. They are also intensifying investigations at restaurants, eateries, and local markets to promptly curb demand and strictly punish violations.

From the viewpoint of Tran Van Trien, Head of the Sub-department of Forest Ranger Region 1, complete elimination of migratory bird mass hunting proves to be difficult due to vast and complex terrain, limited enforcement personnel, and the covert nature of hunting activities. Strong engagement from the entire political system and public environmental awareness is, therefore, of great urgency.

“Handling wild bird hunting requires persistence and sustained coordination by cutting supply, reducing demand, encouraging behavioral change, and consistently enforcing strict penalties for deterrence,” said Trien.

In the near future, under directives from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Department of Forestry and Forest Rangers, Region 1 forest rangers and partnering units will continue ramping up monitoring and strict enforcement. The inspections will span from processing sites, storage points, and markets to online sales. The ultimate goal is to eradicate the problem at its root.