Several central localities have stepped up wildlife protection during the migration season. In neighbouring Quang Tri, an injured Sunda pangolin, a rare and protected species, was also rescued.
Changing weather towards the end of the year triggers the migration of many wild birds, but illegal trapping persists across fields and coastal areas.
Hunters target birds such as storks and herons using recorded calls and hundreds of artificial decoys to lure them into nets or onto thousands of glue-coated plastic sticks.
In Dan Hai Commune, forest rangers and other forces dismantled hunting shelters and traps, seizing thousands of glue-coated sticks and nets that were later destroyed.
Pham Xuan Luong, vice chairman of the commune, said two inter-agency teams of forest rangers, police, military and border guard personnel had been deployed to raise awareness and dismantle illegal trapping sites.
Similar operations across Ha Tinh saw more than 5,000 trapping sticks and 550 artificial stork decoys destroyed in Co Dam Commune, 10 hunting shelters dismantled and over 20 live decoy birds released into the wild.
In Ky Hoa Commune and Tran Phu and Thanh Sen wards, thousands more trapping devices, hundreds of artificial stork decoys and 600 metres of nets were destroyed, along with dozens of illegal hunting sites.
Truong Quoc Long, deputy head of the Ha Tinh Forest Protection Sub-department, said public awareness campaigns had been stepped up since late August to promote compliance with wildlife protection laws.
Restaurants, hotels and market traders have also been asked to pledge not to illegally advertise, trade, slaughter, process or store wild birds.
So far, 82 inspections across Ha Tinh have led to the destruction of more than 20,100 bird-trapping devices and the rescue and release of 110 live birds.
In Quang Tri Province, Khe Sanh Commune handed over an injured Sunda pangolin to a wildlife rescue centre under Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park on September 16.
The 3.8kg protected animal, voluntarily surrendered by a resident of Dong Ha Ward, had injuries to all four legs and was exhausted and struggling to move.
It will be treated and rehabilitated before being considered for release into the wild. Residents have been urged to report any wild animals they encounter or possess and hand them over to relevant agencies.
