Last week, a group of Rangers in Thach An District, located in the northern province of Cao Bang, made an exciting discovery as they stumbled upon four wallabies freely roaming in the wilderness.
Authorities later confirmed that the creatures had been transported from their endemic home in Australia by smugglers who discarded them along the Vietnam-China border.
Based on current wildlife regulations, there are several possible courses of action for handling wild animals. These include: 1. Reintroducing them into their natural habitat: This option involves releasing the animals back into their original environment where they can continue their natural life cycle. 2. Rescuing and rehabilitating them: In cases where wild animals are injured, orphaned, or sick, rescuing them is necessary. This entails providing appropriate treatment and care so that they can ultimately be released back into the wild. 3. Transferring them to designated facilities: Another option is to hand over these animals to zoos, scientific research establishments, training centers, environmental education facilities, or specialized museums. These institutions play a crucial role in conservation efforts and can provide a suitable environment for the animals. 4. Sale under specific circumstances: In certain situations, the sale of wild animals may be permissible. However, strict regulations govern such transactions to ensure animal welfare and prevent illegal trade. 5. Culling measures: If an animal is deemed sick or poses a threat to the environment or other species, culling may be considered as a last resort. This method involves selectively removing individuals in order to maintain ecosystem balance and protect biodiversity. In summary, the existing regulations concerning wildlife offer various options for managing wild animals, including returning them to their natural habitat, rescuing and rehabilitating them, transferring them to appropriate facilities, selling them under specific circumstances, or employing culling measures when necessary for ecological preservation.
Due to their classification as an exotic species in Vietnam, wallabies are prohibited from being released into the wild.
There is no need to rescue or eliminate them as they are not endangered, ill, or posing a risk to the environment.
After their discovery, the four wallabies have been housed in a monitoring facility located at the ranger department in Thach An District.
In November 2023, rangers in Cao Bang Province stumbled upon a group of four wallabies. A photo capturing this remarkable sighting was generously shared by the rangers.
The decision has been made to temporarily relocate them to the Hoang Lien Wildlife Rescue, Conservation and Development Center within the Hoang Lien National Park situated in Lao Cai Province.
However, according to a knowledgeable animal rescue specialist who preferred to remain anonymous, the relocation of these animals to the Hoang Lien center should be carried out with utmost caution. It is imperative to isolate and meticulously examine them to prevent the transmission of any illnesses to the other animals residing at the center, many of which belong to endangered or rare species.
According to a representative from the Animals Asia Foundation, any rescue center aiming to retain animals must possess adequate resources and appropriate facilities, including cages, as they would be responsible for caring for these animals throughout their entire lives.
"However, the rescue centers in Vietnam that are owned by the state face financial constraints."
The representative proposed the idea of relocating the wallabies to privately-owned safaris or zoos as an alternative solution.
Authorities unsure about what to do with rescued wallabies
On November 9, 2023, rangers successfully apprehended stray wallabies in Thach An District of Cao Bang Province. This remarkable event was captured on video by VnExpress journalist Lam Giang.
