Man detained for allegedly trafficking endangered pangolin in Vietnam’s Central Highlands
Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 11:45 GMT+7
Police in Da Huoai District under Lam Dong Province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands region on Monday caught a man transporting a Javan pangolin, a rare and endangered species of anteater, police said the same day.
The pangolin weighed an estimated 5.3 kilograms.
The alleged trafficker was identified as Dinh Quoc Phi, a 32-year-old resident of Da P’Loa Commune under Da Huoai District.
Police officers in Da Huoai District opened their investigation into the case after being informed of illegal rare animal storage and transportation.
At 1:00 pm on Monday, Phi was travelling from Da Lat, a popular tourist hub in Lam Dong Province, to Ho Chi Minh City via National Highway 20 when he was stopped for an inspection.
Police seized a live pangolin that was hidden in his backpack.
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| A rare Javan pangolin hidden in a backpack. Photo: K. P. / Tuoi Tre |
The rare animal will be handed over to forest rangers in the district for care before being released back to nature.
Javan pangolins are classified in Group IB – a list of endangered species of forest animals that are strictly prohibited from exploitation and use for commercial purposes in Vietnam.
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