VietNamNet Bridge - 43 Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) have arrived safely at the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program - Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) after being rescued from animal traders in Hoa Binh province.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thai, SVW’s Executive Director, receiving pangolins from the rangers of the Forest Protection Department of Yen Thuy district, Hoa Binh province. Photo: Save Vietnam's Wildlife

On May 8, the police of Yen Thuy district, Hoa Binh province received a report from local people about the illegal trade of pangolins at Lac Hung commune, Yen Thuy district, Hoa Binh province.  The police investigated and confiscated 43 pangolins from a local coal trading site, although were unable to apprehend the traders who fled the scene.

All 43 pangolins were then transferred to Forest Protection Department of Yen Thuy district, Hoa Binh province.

The pangolins range in size, weighing between 1.3 to 8.9 kg. All of the pangolins are very weak; many individuals have snare trap wounds around their feet, and all have been force fed a mixture of corn powder and egg to increase their weight, and therefore price at sale. Unfortunately, one of the animals was very weak, and died upon arrival at SVW.

At SVW, newly rescued pangolins are given access to natural foods, such as live and frozen ants. Most of the pangolins ate reasonably well for the first 48 hours, however some individuals remain weak and refuse to eat.  

All rescued pangolins will remain for at least one month in SVW’s quarantine facilities before they are released back into the wild; pangolins which cannot be released will continue to be looked after by SVW.

In an unrelated event, on 10th May, a local man, Mr. Canh from An Thuan commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province found a pangolin transferring a road near his village.

Pangolins fed with live and frozen ants, which are natural food. Photo: Save Vietnam's Wildlife

Canh, concerned that the pangolin may have be caught by local people, collected the animal before searching the internet for information on how to proceed. Canh opted to contact Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) to ask for advice, after reading about the organizations work online.

SVW staff member, Ms. Ho Thi Kim Lan travelled over 1000km to explain to Canh about the best course of action, before contacting Ninh Phuoc district Forest Rangers and the Nui Chua National Park to coordinate the release of the pangolin.

On 12th May 2015, the pangolin was successfully released into Nui Chua National Park – Ninh Thuan province by Canh, the Forest Protection Department of Ninh Phuoc district, and Save Vietnam’s Wildlife

Pangolins are the most trafficked animal on earth.

Every year, there are over 100,000 pangolin hunted for their meat and use in traditional medicine. Pangolins urgently need help from the public in the fight for their survival.

PV