Endangered animal species such as Javan pangolins and freshwater crocodiles have been adopted by Tây Ninh Province for conservation — Photo from Tây Ninh Province Newspapẻ

TÂY NINH — 35 wild animal species, including endangered ones, have been adopted by Tây Ninh Forest Management Department since the beginning of this year.

Most of the adopted species are listed in the IB group (the group of endangered and critically endangered animals) such as Javan pangolins, reticulated pythons, Asian forest tortoises, freshwater crocodiles, and Bengal monitors.

The province has also carried out five species reintroduction programmes (the deliberate release of a species into the wild), in which 444 wild animals were released into natural forests.

They are mostly birds, and are healthy enough to return to nature, said Trần Thị Ngân Hà, head of the province's Forest Management Department.

She noted that Tây Ninh has been reinforcing management and supervision at its 184 captive facilities (facilities that perform captive breeding to produce animals for several purposes, including commercial), and sanctioning all acts of poaching and illegal breeding.

The province has carried out several educational programmes on forest development and conservation in residential and agricultural areas, and raised awareness among locals and authorities about protecting endangered animals.

Tây Ninh Forest Management Department has been encouraging its people to hand over rare and endangered animals and not take part in illegal wildlife trade or poaching. — VNS