Rare animals rescued in Vietnam

Rare animals such as the leopard, yellow-cheeked gibbon, grey-shanked douc, silvered langur and Asian black bear have been rescued by the Wildlife At Risk organization.

• Rare striped civet returns to Vietnam
  
• Rescue station set up to conserve rare turtles in central Vietnam
• Stopping the slaughter of rare animals

Rare animals rescued in Vietnam

1. Pygmy slow loris

The pygmy slow loris lives in forests and mountains across Vietnam. It is listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the Vietnam Red Data Book. Wildlife At Risk has rescued more than 60 of these animals from illegal hunters, and most have been released back into the wild.

2. Indochinese silvered langur

In Vietnam, the species is found only in the former Kiên Giang province (now part of An Giang province) in the far south, and very few remain in the wild. It is listed as Vulnerable (VU). Pictured is a langur rescued from an illegal hunting case, now being cared for at the Hòn Me Wildlife Rescue Area in the former Kiên Giang province.

3. Asian black bear

Nearly 70 Asian black bears live at wildlife rescue stations managed by Wildlife At Risk. These animals were kept in captivity for long periods and have lost the ability to forage in the wild, so they will not be released back into the forest. The species is listed as Endangered (EN).

4. Lesser adjutant

After a period at the Hòn Me Wildlife Rescue Area, this lesser adjutant was released onto a small island in U Minh Thượng National Park, in the former Kiên Giang province. This large bird is often captured to be kept as a pet and is listed as Vulnerable (VU).

5. Sunda pangolin

Sunda pangolins breed and thrive at the Củ Chi Wildlife Rescue Station in Ho Chi Minh City, which Wildlife At Risk co-manages. More than 100 of them have received veterinary care, regained their wild instincts and been released back into the wild. The species is listed as Endangered (EN).

6. Leopard

Before being moved to the Bear and Cat Rescue Center at Cát Tiên National Park in southern Vietnam, this leopard was cared for at the Củ Chi Wildlife Rescue Station from 2009 to 2011. The species is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) and is extremely rare in the wild.

7. Oriental darter

This Oriental darter was recently released into the wild after a period at the Củ Chi Wildlife Rescue Station. Habitat loss, hunting and illegal trade have made the species rare in the wild. It is listed as Vulnerable (VU).

8. Yellow-cheeked gibbon

Of the more than 70 yellow-cheeked gibbons that have been rescued, nearly 30 have been released back into the wild. The species is listed as Endangered (EN). These photos of rare wildlife were featured in the exhibition "Lucky Wildlife", co-organized by Wildlife At Risk.

9. Tokay gecko

This tokay gecko was successfully rescued and released back into the wild. The species is listed as Vulnerable (VU).

The "Lucky Wildlife" exhibition aimed to foster a love of wildlife and urge people to join hands in protecting rare animals and to refrain from using products made from rare wild animals. In Vietnam, hunting, trading or consuming protected wildlife such as bears, pangolins and primates is illegal and can lead to criminal prosecution. The free exhibition was held at the Eo Xoài tourist area, Ông Lang Beach, Cửa Cạn, on Phú Quốc island (formerly Kiên Giang province, now An Giang province).

Editorial information: See here

Related topics:

rare animals

Vietnam wildlife rescue

Wildlife At Risk

leopard

yellow-cheeked gibbon

Sunda pangolin