In the forests of Kon Ka Kinh National Park in Gia Lai Province, on 1 October 2026, a quiet but important act of return took place: 31 individuals of rare animals that had undergone rehabilitation once again set foot on their native land.
Among those released were ten species listed in the national registers of specially protected animals. These include tortoises, pig-tailed macaques, water monitors, and reticulated pythons. Particular attention was drawn to the Java pangolins and slow lorises — species of group IB, which are under the strictest protection due to the threat of poaching and illegal trade.
All the animals arrived at the park's rescue centre in August and September of this year. They were handed over by local residents and staff of provincial services. After a period of care, treatment, and adaptation, the specialists confirmed that their charges were ready for independent life in the natural environment.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of the forest rangers and the relevant agencies. Park staff emphasise that such releases not only help restore populations in the ecosystem but also demonstrate the real effectiveness of rescue and rehabilitation work.
Kon Ka Kinh is one of the key protected massifs of Vietnam's Central Highlands. Here, areas of primary forest are preserved, where every returned species plays its own role in maintaining the balance: pangolins control insects, macaques participate in seed dispersal, and monitors and pythons regulate the numbers of small animals.
Such actions remind us that nature conservation begins not only with laws but also with the everyday participation of local communities, which are increasingly abandoning illegal hunting in favour of handing animals over to specialists.
When residents themselves bring injured animals to the park, and specialists successfully return them to the forest, it shows that joint efforts really do help preserve biodiversity for future generations.
