There is both good news and bad news from Vietnam following the arrest of two wildlife traffickers who attempted to smuggle four tiger cubs and 119 pangolins in a car.
According to local NGO Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV), the four tiger cubs seized from wildlife traffickers on September 4th have been transferred to Soc Son Rescue Center, north of Hanoi. The cubs were likely born on a “tiger farm” in Laos (not Vietnam as we reported earlier) and the chances that they will be rehabilitated and “returned to the wild” are unfortunately low.
The pangolins fared worse than the tiger cubs. Not only were the 118 surviving pangolins in poor health, but the authorities have reportedly placed these animals back into the illegal trade by auctioning them off immediately following the seizure.
Video of the tiger cubs filmed by ENV’s field investigation officer:
The wildlife traffickers were identified as Ho Sy Hanh and Bui Van Manh. The pair was arrested when police acted on a tip and stopped a Toyota Camry (license 37V-1171), where the tiger cubs and pangolins were discovered. Forged license plates were also found in the vehicle.
Find out how you can help protect Vietnam’s wildlife at Education for Nature-Vietnam.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
Rhishja Cota
I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.