A rescued Javan pangolin found at a Ho Chi Minh City school was among 28 wild animals released into nature by the city’s rangers and U Minh Thuong National Park in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam on Friday.

The 4.5kg Javan pangolin, known scientifically as Manis javanica, was found by guards at Nguyen An Ninh Secondary School in District 12 on the night of October 20.

It was classified as endangered species in group IB on Vietnam’s government list of rare and endangered wildlife prioritized for protection.

The school principal, Tran Minh Triet, ensured the pangolin was kept safe overnight and handed it over to the city’s Forest Protection Department the following morning.

As for the remaining 27 animals, they belong to nine species, such as otter, Indian python, reticulated python, clouded monitor, Asian water monitor, crab-eating macaque, Mekong snail-eating turtle, yellow-headed temple turtle, and Amboina box turtle.

Most of them were voluntarily handed over by local residents.

After being rehabilitated at a wildlife rescue station, they were returned to the wild. 

The forest protection department also transferred 15 animals from five species--Siamese crocodile, Bourret's box turtle, giant Asian pond turtle, pond slider, elongated tortoise--to the national park for conservation.

On the rainy night of October 20, 2024, the 4.5kg Javan pangolin was found by Nguyen An Ninh Secondary School guards. Recognizing its rarity, the school principal, Tran Minh Triet, ensured the animal was kept safe overnight and handed it over to the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department the following morning. Photo: Supplied

During the school's flag-raising ceremony, the pangolin was presented to students to educate them about wildlife conservation. Many students were amazed to see a pangolin for the first time, according to the school principal Tran Minh Triet. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

The schoolyard of Nguyen An Ninh Secondary School where the Javan pangolin was discovered on October 20, 2024. According to a Ho Chi Minh City forest ranger, there are no wild pangolins living in the city, as the species is only kept at the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens for visitors. Regarding this particular Javan pangolin, it is suspected to have either escaped from illegal captivity or been abandoned during smuggling attempts. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

The rescued Javan pangolin was taken to the wildlife rescue station of Ho Chi Minh City for care before being released back into the wild. According to staff at the station, the pangolin initially ate very little but gradually returned to a normal feeding routine after a few days. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

The Javan pangolin undergoes a health check before being released into U Minh Thuong National Park. Forest rangers confirmed that the pangolin was in good health and well-prepared to adapt to the natural environment of the park. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

The Javan pangolin, along with 42 other wild animals of various species, is transported from the wildlife rescue station in Ho Chi Minh City’s Cu Chi District to U Minh Thuong National Park in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam early on December 26, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

Forty-three wild animals of various species, including the Javan pangolin, were transported from the wildlife rescue station in Ho Chi Minh City’s Cu Chi District to U Minh Thuong National Park in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam early on December 26, 2024. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

The 43 wild animals of 15 species are transported from the wildlife rescue station to U Minh Thuong National Park. These animals were either released into the wild or transferred to the park for care and conservation. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

The wild animals were successfully transported to U Minh Thuong National Park by noon on December 26, after traveling a distance of some 280km. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

The wild animals were successfully transported to U Minh Thuong National Park by noon on December 26, after traveling a distance of some 280km. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

The wild animals were successfully transported to U Minh Thuong National Park by noon on December 26, after traveling a distance of some 280km. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

The release at U Minh Thuong National Park included three Javan pangolins, one of which was the pangolin found at Nguyen An Ninh Secondary School. Another, weighing approximately 5kg, was discovered by Nguyen Viet Thuan from District 12 at a vacant plot of land near a housing construction site in Long Truong Ward, Thu Duc City. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

Shortly after being released into U Minh Thuong National Park, the Javan pangolin quickly crawled into dense bushes. Tran Minh Triet, principal of Nguyen An Ninh Secondary School, expressed his happiness upon learning that the pangolin he handed over to forest rangers remains healthy and had been released into the wild. Triet shared that the school would continue educating students and parents about wildlife protection. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

Shortly after being released into U Minh Thuong National Park, the Javan pangolin quickly crawled into dense bushes. Tran Minh Triet, principal of Nguyen An Ninh Secondary School, expressed his happiness upon learning that the pangolin he handed over to forest rangers remains healthy and had been released into the wild. Triet shared that the school would continue educating students and parents about wildlife protection. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

Forest rangers release turtles, pythons, and monkeys into U Minh Thuong National Park. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

Forest rangers release turtles, pythons, and monkeys into U Minh Thuong National Park. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

Forest rangers release turtles, pythons, and monkeys into U Minh Thuong National Park. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

Forest rangers are optimistic that U Minh Thuong National Park will offer a safe haven for these rescued animals, supporting their survival and the park's biodiversity. Photo: Ngoc Khai / Tuoi Tre

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