A Tonkin snub-nosed monkey perched on a tree branch in the Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area, Ha Giang Province. The critically endangered primate is endemic to northern Vietnam. (Photo: FFI)
Rooted in Public Awareness
The bedrock of Tuyen Quang’s conservation success lies in community engagement. Continuous, deep-rooted educational campaigns have firmly embedded environmental stewardship into the local culture.
This profound shift is evident in the proactive, exemplary actions of residents. For instance, upon discovering a rare 6-kilogram Asiatic rock python (Python bivittatus), Mr. Chau Van Thuy in Lam Bình District immediately contacted rangers to safely return it to the wild. Similarly, despite wildlife conflict affecting his crops, Mr. Thao Chu Cho in Can Ty Commune chose protection over poaching, voluntarily handing a rare stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides) to the Forest Protection Department. These actions demonstrate a deep-seated respect for nature and the rule of law among locals.
Concrete Results in Numbers
The synergy between the government and the community is backed by hard evidence. Since the beginning of this year, authorities have intercepted 9 wildlife offenses, seizing 746 migratory birds and wild animals. This zero-tolerance approach underscores the province's unwavering stance against poaching.
Furthermore, Tuyen Quang's forests continue to thrive as a safe haven, having successfully rehabilitated and released 242 wild animals back into their natural habitats. From primates like stump-tailed macaques and reptiles like pythons and cobras, to birds of prey like Crested serpent eagles and hawks, these animals have been restored to the wild. Maintaining these populations is vital to preserving ecological balance and the nation’s genetic resources.
Tight Oversight: From Deep Forests to Captive Facilities
Beyond in-situ conservation, Tuyen Quang maintains rigorous oversight of all captive breeding facilities. The Forest Protection Department strictly monitors 47 facilities housing a total of 3,658 animals.
By deploying dedicated management software, the province has digitized its surveillance system. Stocks, origins, and enclosure standards - particularly across 15 facilities breeding critically endangered species like civets, peacocks, and white pheasants - are regularly audited. This tight control eliminates the risk of laundering wild-caught animals into the commercial supply chain, ensuring all operations align strictly with legal frameworks.
The proactive leadership of local authorities, coupled with grassroots vigilance, has forged an ironclad conservation network in Tuyen Quang. These relentless efforts not only safeguard invaluable natural resources for future generations but also cement the province’s reputation as a national benchmark in nature conservation.
Nguyen Thanh Hieu
Adapted from Tuyen Quang Newspaper
