Hanoi (VNA) – The Save Vietnam’s Wildlife(SVW) and Cuc Phuong National Park released into the wild 93 Java pangolins(Manis javanica), the largest number so far, between April 28 and May 6.
The animals were healthy individuals rescuedfrom an illegal trade of 113 pangolins which was busted by Hai Phong police inearly April this year.
SVW Executive Director Nguyen Van Thai said inthe last eight months, his organisation has rescued more than 400 pangolinsfrom traders and sent 304 of them back to the wild.
Thanh said there was time his centre hosted 139rescued pangolins, which consumed nearly 40 kg of food per month. The amount offood cost about 300 million VND (13,200 USD).
Tran Quang Phuong, manager of the SVW Carnivoreand Pangolin Conservation Programme, noted the centre has been supported bydifferent agencies in conserving the rare species.
As the number of rescued pangolins is on the rise, the centre has set up arapid response team to partner with authorised agencies in saving and caringfor the animals.
Pangolins are the most traded animals in theworld. Vietnam has two species of pangolins, the Manis javanica and the Manispentadactyla; both are listed in the category of rare and threatened speciessubject to priority protection under Decree 160/2013/ND-CP. All hunting andtrading of those species are illegal, together with the use of products frompangolin.-VNA