Authorities in Tay Khanh Son Commune, Khanh Hoa Province, have released a rare pangolin into the wild after it was rescued by a local resident and voluntarily handed over to officials.
According to Tay Khanh Son Commune Police, the animal was returned to its natural habitat after authorities completed the required legal procedures in coordination with relevant agencies.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of July 17, when Cao Minh Quoc Tai, born in 2002, discovered the pangolin trapped in a net while working on his family's farmland in Ta Giang Village.
Recognising that the pangolin is a rare and endangered wild animal classified under Group IB, Vietnam's highest protection category for wildlife, Tai carefully freed the animal before taking it to Tay Khanh Son Commune Police.
After receiving the pangolin, the commune police advised the Tay Khanh Son Commune People's Committee to direct the Economic Department, in coordination with the police and the Khanh Son Forest Protection Department, to inspect the animal's health and complete the necessary documentation before releasing it in accordance with legal requirements.
The commune police commended Tai for his awareness and responsible action in protecting wildlife, describing his decision as an example of public cooperation in biodiversity conservation.
Authorities also urged residents not to hunt, keep, trade or illegally exploit wild animals. They encouraged the public to report any suspected cases of illegal hunting, trapping or captivity of wildlife to the police or local authorities for investigation and enforcement.
