Rescue and milk rare otters in Nghe An
(Baonghean.vn) - Authorities discovered and seized 19 otters while they were being illegally transported by a subject.
On the morning of November 21, 2019, Pu Mat National Park Wildlife Rescue Center coordinated with the Vietnam Wildlife Conservation Center (SVW) to successfully rescue 15 extremely rare otters.
Initial identification of these individuals as small-clawed otters, an animal species listed in the Vietnam Red Book, is extremely rare. The otters were transferred to the Pu Mat National Park Rescue Center, all in a weak condition and some were injured because they were too young (the weight of 15 otters is 11.2 kg, including 4 otters that are still young and have not opened their eyes yet). The Center's staff are conducting a thorough health check and taking care of them in the quarantine area.
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| 15 out of 19 otters were handed over by Dien Chau District Police to Pu Mat National Park. Photo: Tran Xuan Cuong |
Previously, at around 9:30 p.m. on November 20, the Dien Chau District Traffic Police in collaboration with the Police discovered and seized the otters while they were being illegally transported by a subject on km429 of National Highway 1A passing through Dien Thinh Commune, Dien Chau District, Nghe An Province. The case is being investigated and clarified by the Dien Chau District Police.
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| The otters were transferred to the Pu Mat National Park Rescue Center, all in weak condition and some were injured because they were too young. Photo: Tran Xuan Cuong |
Immediately after receiving the information, the Center's Rapid Response Team immediately brought boxes, food, towels and veterinary equipment to the scene to provide first aid and rescue the otters. This is the largest number of otters the Center has ever rescued.
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| The weight of 15 otters is 11.2 kg, including 4 young otters with eyes not yet opened. Photo: Tran Xuan Cuong. |
Pu Mat National Park Rescue Center has the function of receiving, rescuing and caring for wild animals that are illegally traded, hunted, transported, etc., and are handed over by authorities in Nghe An province to restore their health before being released back into the wild.
According to scientific documents and regulations: Small-clawed otters have been included in the Vietnam Red Book and are listed in Appendix 1 of Decree 160/2013/ND-CP dated November 12, 2013. They are extremely rare animals that need priority protection in Vietnam as well as the world.
The otter population in Vietnam is seriously declining due to over-hunting for pets or the commercial use of fur and skin, and loss of natural habitat.
Therefore, it is necessary to immediately stop hunting and trading of wild animals and effectively implement species conservation programs to save endangered animals from the risk of extinction.
