A series of bird traps in Nghe An fields were removed and destroyed.

Every year, at the time of changing seasons, dozens of species of wild birds such as storks, herons, swallows, cuckoos, ibises, and hornbills fly to Nghe An to take shelter and find food. However, instead of being protected, many species of birds have become “specialties” that are hunted, traded, and consumed openly.

Recorded in ponds, swamps, and fields in Thai Binh block, Vinh Loc ward - where birds often fly to forage, people have spread nets, set up stakes, and planted decoy birds to trap birds. In Hung Hoa mangrove forest (Truong Vinh ward), hundreds of bamboo stakes were erected along the paths in the forest, with fake storks made of foam attached to them. Next to them are bamboo sticks coated with glue, or live decoy birds with their legs tied with fishing line to lure other birds to swoop down. When caught in the trap, many birds cannot escape, are caught and taken away for consumption.

Mr. Tran Van T., a resident of Vinh Loc ward, admitted: “During this season, there are many wild birds, of all kinds. Knowing that it is forbidden, people still set traps, catch a few birds to improve their meals and sell them to pubs. Each bird is worth 40,000 - 50,000 VND, collecting a lot also brings in a considerable income.”

Faced with the above situation, on the morning of September 19, Vinh - Cua Lo Forest Protection Department coordinated with Mobile Forest Protection Team and PCCCR Team No. 1 and the authorities of Truong Vinh and Vinh Loc wards to organize a large-scale sweep. The functional forces waded through fields, climbed trees to dismantle traps, confiscated more than 300 bamboo stakes, hundreds of thousands of meters of nets, 6 sets of bird-sounding loudspeakers, and hundreds of fake storks and live decoy birds. Many wild birds that were captured were rescued and released back into the wild.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Thang - Head of Vinh - Cua Lo Forest Protection Department said: "Although there has been regular propaganda, handling is still difficult. The subjects often set traps at night, in remote areas, making it difficult to detect. Besides, the current sanctions are still not enough to deter, many cases are detected but still reoffend."

According to the investigation, after catching the birds, the subjects often quickly transport them to the market, resell them to wholesalers or restaurants specializing in processing specialty dishes. Many establishments still openly sell wild bird meat, despite the risk of affecting the environment and violating regulations on wildlife protection.

The rangers are currently continuing to coordinate with local authorities to propagate and mobilize people to remove traps themselves. In the immediate future, simultaneous deployment at many hot spots is an urgent measure to prevent the increasingly increasing hunting of wild birds.

At this time, in many coastal areas of Nghe An province such as Dien Chau, Tan Chau, Quynh Phu communes... people have planted fake birds as bait to attract flocks of birds to land. They also spread nets, spread glue, and use loudspeakers to play fake bird sounds to lure and trap migratory birds. In the Lach Quen estuary area (Quynh Phu commune), some locations on mountain peaks, hillsides, and coastal protection forests have been turned into places to set traps to hunt and catch birds.

According to the report of the Quynh Luu - Hoang Mai Forest Protection Department, from September 17 to now, the unit has coordinated with the authorities of Quynh Phu and Quynh Anh communes to seize more than 2,000 meters of nets, 500 fake birds, release 12 illegally trapped birds into the wild and dismantle 5 temporary tents used for hunting.

Mr. Pham Duc Thanh - Deputy Head of Nghe An Forest Protection Department said: From September 15th to now, Nghe An Forest Protection Department has directed Forest Protection Units, Mobile Forest Protection Teams and PCCCR to coordinate with local authorities to organize inspection campaigns and handle bird trapping. As a result, the whole province has confiscated thousands of meters of nets, hundreds of bamboo poles, and demolished many temporary huts used to illegally hunt migratory birds.

In the coming time, the Forest Protection Department will continue to organize large-scale raids, strengthen supervision and thoroughly dismantle tools and vehicles used for illegal hunting. At the same time, coordinate with competent agencies to raid and handle locations for processing, storing and consuming wild birds in the area.

Nghe An is one of the provinces located on the important flight route of many migratory birds. The coastal areas, mangrove forests and rice fields here are not only ideal resting places for flocks of birds but also contribute to the formation of a diverse ecosystem, a basis for developing ecotourism, scientific research and environmental education. However, if the hunting and consumption of wild birds is not stopped soon, the wild bird areas are at risk of disappearing in the near future.

Authorities need to take strong action against violations, and at the same time, step up propaganda work to make people aware of the role and value of wild birds to the environment and human life. Along with that, there is strict control of restaurants and specialty markets, ending the consumption of wild bird meat in all forms.