A rare long tailed macaque found in a garden in Thanh Hoa Province has been safely returned to its natural habitat after being voluntarily handed over by a local resident.
The roughly 8-kilogramme male was discovered on April 8 in the yard of Tran Van Dong and is believed to have strayed from nearby Quan Yen Mountain.
Authorities transferred the animal to Xuan Lien National Park for release back into the wild. The species is classified under Group IIB of protected wildlife, indicating it is rare and requires conservation.
Officials said the Quan Yen area hosts a diverse ecosystem, with around 50 households living at the mountain’s foothills.
In recent years, local authorities and forest rangers have stepped up awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts to prevent the hunting and trade of endangered wildlife.
