A zoo representative said staff discovered at around 6 am on January 26 that a white swan kept in the flamingo enclosure was missing. The zoo immediately inspected the scene, reviewed security camera footage and reported the incident to local police.
The theft took place on the afternoon of January 25, when a man broke into the enclosure, caught the swan and placed it in a backpack, hiding it in nearby bushes. Taking advantage of a quiet period with few visitors, he later carried the bird to a motorbike parking area and left the zoo.
Tracing the suspect’s movements, police tracked him to Duc Hoa Commune in Tay Ninh Province and arrested him. Based on his testimony, the swan was found to have been sold in Can Tho City.
Veterinarians from the zoo coordinated with authorities to travel to Can Tho and rescue the bird. The swan was recovered at around 5.30 am on January 27 and returned to the zoo by 9 am the same day.
Zoo officials said the swan will be kept in isolation and closely monitored, as it had come into contact with other animals while outside its original enclosure.
