"Common home" of wild animals

Thanks to the authorities' focus on protecting forests and biodiversity, natural forests in Quang Tri are safe habitats for many rare and endangered animals.

Recently, through camera traps, authorities recorded a 150 kg black bear appearing in the Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, Quang Tri province. This discovery surprised many people, making them happy because the precious animal has gradually returned to the mountainous area of ​​this province.

A 150 kg moon bear has just been recorded in Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve. Photo: Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve

Positive signal

Mr. Ha Van Hoan, Director of the Management Board of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, said that the forest area managed by the unit is more than 23,000 hectares.

The northern area of ​​Huong Hoa district is the intersection of North-South and Indochina vegetation flows, so it has high and unique biodiversity. The forest here is still relatively good, with a coverage of nearly 93% with many types of habitats, rich vegetation, and is a place where many wild animals can live.

Over the years, through surveys and investigations, the Management Board of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve has discovered and recorded the presence of many endangered and rare animal species such as: siki gibbon, loris, striped rabbit, Java pangolin, serow, large muntjac... Some large mammals in danger of extinction, listed in the World Red Book, have also been recorded through camera traps and traces left in the forest.

Specifically, in 2017, the Management Board of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve recorded a 700 kg gaur in the forest area bordering Quang Binh province. Through monitoring and tracing, Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve determined that there are at least 2 gaur populations with many individuals living in the managed forest area, concentrated in Pa Thien - Voi Mep mountain and the conservation forest area in Huong Lap commune. Recently, a camera trap captured the image of a rare and endangered IB group bear moving and searching for food...

Recently, the Management Board of Dakrong Nature Reserve, Dakrong District, Quang Tri Province has also recorded the presence of many rare and unique animal species of the region. Even many new species, not yet listed in the animal list of Dakrong Nature Reserve, have been recorded, such as: Northern civet, reticulated civet, monkey, brown-shanked douc, Central yellow-cheeked gibbon, crested pheasant, etc.

The Owston's civet is a rare animal, discovered in Dakrong Nature Reserve through camera traps. Photo: Dakrong Nature Reserve

Mr. Phan Van Phuoc, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Tri province, said that the discovery and recording of many rare animal species in Bac Huong Hoa and Dakrong Nature Reserves is a very positive signal in protecting wildlife and preserving forest ecosystems. This shows that these areas are still a safe and ideal "home" for animals to live and develop.

"We believe that if we continue to maintain and strengthen protection measures, the number of rare species recorded will increase, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity in the region," Mr. Phuoc emphasized.

Protecting sustainable biodiversity

According to Mr. Truong Quang Trung, Director of Dakrong Nature Reserve Management Board, recording images of wild animals in the forest and newly discovered species is proof of the unit's long-term commitment to biodiversity conservation and development.

In order to effectively protect wildlife, in recent times, with support from projects, Bac Huong Hoa and Dakrong Nature Reserves have increased patrols and set up teams to remove traps in the forest of illegal hunters. Thousands of traps have been discovered, removed and destroyed. The habitat of wildlife is therefore increasingly safe and secure.

Staff of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve survey and investigate wildlife. Photo: DUC NGHIA

Mr. Truong Quang Trung said that the Dakrong Nature Reserve Management Board always coordinates with local authorities and functional agencies to strengthen propaganda and raise awareness among people in the buffer zone about forest protection and biodiversity conservation, especially with rare and endangered animals. Not only functional units but also local people join hands to remove animal traps.

Mr. Phan Van Phuoc acknowledged that the protection and conservation of wildlife in protected areas is facing many challenges. Specifically, illegal hunting and exploitation and encroachment of forest land, which degrade the habitat of wildlife, are still occurring. In addition, the lives of many people in the area are still facing many difficulties, having to depend on forest resources; resources for wildlife conservation are still very limited...

To deal with the above challenges, the Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Tri province said that there should be policies to support and develop sustainable livelihoods for people in the buffer zone. In addition, local authorities and relevant agencies need to coordinate in patrolling and inspecting forests, preventing and strictly handling violations.

Mr. Phuoc acknowledged: "Conducting activities of investigation, research and assessment of animal resources in protected areas is a necessary step to come up with more specific and effective conservation solutions. In the coming time, we will continue to call for cooperation and support from domestic and foreign organizations to protect sustainable biodiversity for the region."

Qualified to become a national park

According to Decision 1737/QD-TTg in 2023 of the Prime Minister approving the Planning of Quang Tri province for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 and Decision 895/QD-TTg in 2024 approving the National Forestry Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, by 2030, the two nature reserves of Bac Huong Hoa and Dakrong will be upgraded to national parks.

Mr. Phan Van Phuoc informed that up to now, these two nature reserves have met the conditions and criteria to be upgraded to national parks. Upgrading to national parks not only helps protect nature but also promotes socio-economic development, raising public awareness about environmental protection and wildlife in particular.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ngoi-nha-chung-cua-dong-vat-hoang-da-196241201174723154.htm