Authorities in Hue City have safely released a critically endangered Sunda pangolin after a local resident found the animal while travelling along National Highway 1 through Chan May-Lang Co Commune.
According to the Hue City Forest Protection Department, local authorities, forest rangers and other relevant agencies took custody of the pangolin after it was voluntarily handed over by the resident on July 18.
Ho Van Thuong, from Phuoc Hung Village, Chan May-Lang Co Commune, discovered the animal while travelling on the highway. He took it home to protect it and immediately notified local authorities.
Forest rangers later identified the animal as a Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), weighing approximately 1.5kg. Officials said it appeared to be in good health when examined.
Following the necessary procedures, authorities worked with the southern Hue City Forest Protection Unit and the Bac Hai Van Landscape Protection Area to release the pangolin back into its natural forest habitat.
The Hue City Forest Protection Department said the Sunda pangolin is native to Southeast Asia and is classified as a critically endangered species. In Vietnam, it is listed under Group IB, the country's highest level of legal protection for endangered forest wildlife, making its commercial exploitation and trade strictly prohibited.