Wildlife protection concerns rise in Vietnam following bird cruelty and poaching reports

Concerns regarding wildlife protection and illegal hunting have surfaced in Vietnam following reports of animal cruelty and widespread poaching. In Ho Chi Minh City, a screech owl was discovered in a weakened and fearful state after its wing feathers had been cut, rendering it unable to fly. Local residents rescued the bird, which is suspected by forest rangers to be a grey-backed screech owl, a species listed as endangered, precious, or rare.

In Quang Tri province, public outcry has intensified following reports of extensive netting and trapping of migratory birds in flooded fields. Citizens are calling for stricter legal measures, including criminal prosecution, to target not only the hunters but also the distributors and consumers of wild birds. Many argue that current fines are insufficient to deter illegal activities and that authorities must focus on cutting off the market demand in restaurants and eateries to effectively end the practice.