RETURNING WILDLIFE TO NATURE

In late March 2025, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with the Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Center (HWRC), released 20 wild animals representing 10 species back into suitable natural habitats within Xuan Lien National Park (Thanh Hoa Province).

Picture 1: All individuals underwent comprehensive health checks, disease testing, and were equipped with monitoring devices. The health assessment process was supported by FOUR PAWS.

Pifcture 2:  A pygmy loris inside a transport crate. The GPS collar allows researchers to determine its post-release range and gain further insights into its behavior.

Picture 3: One of the civets being released back into the wild.

©CCD/2025

Among the released individuals, 4 assam macaques, 5 pygmy lorises, and 3 masked palm civets were soft released, and are currently being closely monitored by CCD and Xuan Lien National Park to collect data on their post-release adaptation and survival.

This release effort is the result of over 13 months of joint collaboration between CCD, HWRC, and Xuan Lien National Park, with veterinary support from Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh (FOUR PAWS). Key activities included:

Assessing and selecting suitable release sites

Developing release methods

Conducting health assessments and disease screening

Attaching post-release tracking devices and post release monitoring

Picture 4: Edible native plant species are added to the release site to help the animals recognize and familiarize themselves with their natural food sources.

Picture 5: Camera traps are installed at the release site to record behavior and the timing of the animals' departure from the soft-release enclosure.

Picture 6:  As civets and pygmy lorises are nocturnal species, the monitoring team must dedicate several days to observing their behavior during peak activity hours.

©CCD/2025

We hope that data obtained through this post-release monitoring will contribute to identifying areas for improvement in animal husbandries at wildlife rescue facilities, helping us provide more appropriate care that enhances the animals’ post-release survival rates and long-term reintegration into the wild.

Picture 7: The soft-release enclosure for lorises allows them to acclimate to the local climate. During this period, they continue to receive supplementary feeding, which includes native plant species from the release site.

©CCD/2025

Most of the released animals were victims of the illegal wildlife trade, having been confiscated by authorities and transferred to HWRC for rehabilitation. Supporting state-run rescue centers and protected areas in wildlife rescue and release efforts not only strengthens wildlife law enforcement but also directly saves lives and restores wild freedom to thousands of endangered species in Vietnam.

Since 2024, CCD’s Wildlife Rescue and Release Program has been providing technical assistance to wildlife rescue centers across the country, including:

Development of species-appropriate care protocols

Design of quarantine and rescue enclosures

Wildlife release strategies

Please contact info@ccd.org.vn if you are interested in or in need of support related to wildlife rescue and release.