Wildlife conservation: [1] Persistent issue of illegal hunting

Illegal hunting of wildlife remains complicated

Authorities have continuously intensified patrols, crackdowns, and enforcement measures. However, the hunting, captivity, and trading of wildlife in Gia Lai Province continue to remain complicated. From border forests to roadside hotspots selling wild birds, the trapping and hunting of wildlife still persist quietly through increasingly sophisticated methods.

According to the Gia Lai Provincial Forest Protection Department, since the end of 2025, forest rangers in coordination with the police and relevant agencies have conducted 244 patrols and crackdowns on forest management and protection, as well as the protection of wildlife and migratory birds. They have also inspected 35 wildlife farming facilities in the province. 

Notably, recent cases show that hunting and keeping wildlife in Gia Lai is becoming more complex. It is no longer limited to small-scale violations, but has expanded to the illegal possession of endangered and rare species.

A typical case occurred in late December 2025, when authorities inspected the house of Mr. Tran Van Tuan in Kim Sơn commune and discovered 12 turtles without legal proof of origin. After investigation, on January 17, 2026, the provincial police initiated a criminal case for violating regulations on the protection of endangered and rare wildlife under Article 244 of the Penal Code (amended in 2025).

In addition to endangered species, wild birds are currently the most commonly hunted group in Gia Lai. Offenders often use nets, spring traps, glue sticks, decoy speakers, or high-frequency sound devices to lure wild birds. After being captured, the birds are sold to pet bird shops or supplied to restaurants and eateries.

In a case in Quy Nhon ward, authorities discovered that Ms. Duong Tuong Vi was illegally keeping 150 individuals of Chinese sparrows (mỏ chì) without documentation proving legal origin. The entire number of birds was confiscated, and she was fined 3 million VND.

Similarly, in Kbang commune, forest rangers also found Mr. Ho Van Hon (Village 7) illegally keeping 8 red-whiskered bulbul birds (chào mào). After completing the case file, the authorities imposed an administrative fine of 3 million VND and confiscated all the birds.

Not only small-scale cases, but several wild bird trading spots have also been placed under surveillance and inspection by authorities. In April 2026, at the park area located at the intersection of Ly Thuong Kiet and Ton Duc Thang streets in Quy Nhon ward, an inter-agency task force caught Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc trading 12 wild red-whiskered bulbuls of unknown origin. He was subsequently fined 3 million VND and all the birds were confiscated.

Also in this area, authorities discovered a metal cage containing 2 ground squirrels and 14 wild birds of various species, including sunbirds, bulbuls, flycatchers, and green magpies. The cage had been abandoned, and the owner has not yet been identified.

In addition, during patrols in An Nhon area, forest rangers detected and dismantled a mist net used for trapping wild birds. This hunting method is increasingly appearing in forest-edge areas and agricultural production land.

Only when people do not consume or violate the law...

Mr. Truong Thanh Ha, Acting Director of the Gia Lai Provincial Forest Protection Department, said that hunting and trading of wildlife in the province remains complicated. This is partly due to limited awareness among some people regarding wildlife protection, while profits from trading wild birds and animals continue to drive many offenders to knowingly break the law.

According to Mr. Ha, violations are no longer confined to forests but are also appearing in cyberspace. Many individuals take advantage of social media to advertise, exchange, and illegally trade wildlife, making enforcement more difficult.

“The large area, extensive forest coverage, and increasingly sophisticated tactics of offenders make wildlife protection work very challenging. We are coordinating with the police and relevant agencies to strengthen patrols in key areas, while also monitoring wildlife trading activities on social media to promptly detect and strictly handle violations,” Mr. Ha added.

In parallel with patrols and enforcement activities, the Gia Lai Provincial Forest Protection Department has also intensified communication efforts to raise public awareness of wildlife conservation. Since late 2025, forest rangers, in coordination with the police, commune authorities, and relevant agencies, have organized 64 integrated outreach sessions in various villages across the province. In addition, 8 awareness campaigns were conducted for 70 wildlife farming facilities on compliance with regulations related to the management and protection of wild animals.

Furthermore, the forestry sector has carried out 23 mobile campaigns, distributed 805 educational posters on wildlife protection, and conducted 90 rounds of public loudspeaker broadcasting to raise awareness about not hunting, trading, or consuming wildlife.

Alongside these efforts, authorities have mobilized 47 business households to sign commitments not to purchase wildlife or trade in wild animal trapping devices, helping to reduce bird and wildlife hunting activities in the area.

Notably, through these outreach and advocacy efforts, many local residents have voluntarily handed over wildlife to authorities for rescue and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild. Since late 2025, forest protection forces, in coordination with rescue units, have received and transferred 16 turtles, 5 pangolins, 3 pythons, 14 monkeys, 1 wild cat, 2 slow lorises, and 683 birds of various species for care and rehabilitation before reintroduction into their natural habitats.

In addition, authorities have also worked with communities to encourage the voluntary surrender of 4 bird-trapping nets, helping to reduce the indiscriminate trapping of wild birds in forest-edge areas and agricultural land.

To effectively prevent wildlife hunting, in addition to the decisive involvement of enforcement forces, raising public awareness plays a very important role. When people do not hunt, do not buy, and do not consume wildlife, violations can be pushed back, contributing to the protection of forest ecosystems, Mr. Hà emphasized.

*$1 = VND 26,393 - Source: Vietcombank.