Surprise return: Rarely seen bird species have recently been rediscovered in Lower U Minh National Park. —VNA/VNS Photo |
“Thanks to strict management, National Park of Lower U Minh is constantly engaged in endangered species conservation,” said Huỳnh Minh Nguyên, director of this National Park. “This is an ideal living environment for rare wildlife species, as well as an attractive research site for scientists.”
Lower U Minh National Park is home to 32 mammal species and 74 bird species, according to 2010 research.
The number of wild animals living in this park has been steadily increasing. For example, the population of wild deer is now estimated at nearly 800, compared to 10 years ago, when there were very few deer.
The amount of feral pigs (sus scrofa) has increased to hundreds of individuals weighing up to 200kg each.
Some rarely seen bird species listed in the Viet Nam Red Book have recently been rediscovered, such as the grey pelican and the white-headed ibis (tantalus leacocephalus), a wading bird in the stork family.
Lower U Minh National Park has a total area of 8,500ha. It was established in 2006 to protect local flora and fauna, as well as to preserve the low-lying wetland ecosystem, where the water table is always at, or near, the surface.— VNS