The two gibbons, a male weighing about 6 kg and a female weighing about 3 kg, were discovered early on Wednesday by Huong Van Hop, 38, after he heard his dogs barking continuously in his fruit garden.
Hop and his family moved the animals to safety, kept them warm, gave them water and fruit, and protected them before notifying local authorities.
The animals were later identified as southern yellow-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus gabriellae), a critically endangered species listed in Vietnam's Group IB of specially protected forest wildlife. Both were in poor condition.
The gibbons were transferred to the Rescue, Conservation, Tourism and Environmental Education Centre at Bu Gia Map National Park for treatment and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.
Local authorities praised Hop for handing over the gibbons, saying his actions helped protect wildlife and biodiversity. They urged residents to report wild animals to authorities or forest rangers rather than keep, trade or transport them illegally.
