VietNamNet Bridge - Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) on Sunday released 35 Javan pangolins (Manis javanica) into the wild at the Cat Tien National Park in southern Dong Nai province.

SVW Executive Director Nguyen Van Thai said this was the largest simultaneous reintroduction thus far.

The animals were fitted with tracking devices to enable SVW to monitor their reintegration into their natural habitat and receive a notification should they be trapped or poached, he noted.

The freed individuals were among 43 pangolins seized from traffickers in Yen Thuy district of northern Hoa Binh province on May 8.

SVW veterinarian Amanda Fine said she was surprised at the pangolins’ quick recovery, given their weak state when they were handed over to her organisation.

The others are still receiving care, but she expected to release more as early as next week.

Meanwhile, Thai considered this reintroduction an important event ahead of an international meeting on pangolins scheduled for June 24-26 in central Danang city.

PV