According to the latest report from Tam Dao National Park, over the past 2-3 years, many rare bird and animal species have gradually returned and are rapidly reproducing in the southern area of the park, particularly in the 15,000 hectares of forest in Trung Mỹ (Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province).
Animal species such as deer, sika deer, wild boar, bears, wildcats, squirrels, civets, and foxes, which had been absent for decades, are now making a comeback. The Thanh Lanh Lake area has seen herds of deer coming to drink water, and signs of wild boar have been found at elevations over 200 meters. At night, the sounds of deer, sika deer, and barking deer echo through the forest. Many beehives and caves show signs of habitation by bear species, including the Asiatic black bear and sun bear, as they search for food.
The most notable resurgence is seen among bird populations such as parrots, magpies, cuckoos, starlings, hornbills, herons, and cranes. Ground-dwelling birds like the great argus, jungle fowl, and diving ducks have also reappeared, a sight not witnessed for decades. Notably, the hawk and the spotted crow, once thought to be extinct in this region, are now seen soaring in flocks.
For a long time, the local population of Tam Dao has had a longstanding habit of hunting and trapping birds and animals, treating it as both a profession and a pastime. Once the corn is planted and the weather is dry, hunting groups spring into action. Every household has hunting dogs, muzzleloaders, snares, and bows… Many hunters are familiar with the habits and paths of domestic animals, which helps them successfully capture birds and wildlife. Additionally, the destruction of forests for farming, burning forests to catch bees, and smoke hunting in fox dens have led to forest fires, diminishing forest density and area, with some forests being “stripped bare” up to 400 meters high, leaving little habitat for birds and animals.
Local authorities have encouraged the community to abandon nomadic lifestyles, cease forest clearing for farming, and give up hunting practices. The forestry department has established a network of collaborators for forest protection. Over 200 households in Trung Mỹ, which previously lived a nomadic lifestyle, have now “come down from the mountains” to stabilize their homes, intensively cultivate rice, and produce herbal medicine… The local government has allocated funding to build irrigation systems to support agricultural production. A campaign to eliminate hunting practices has been persistently carried out for the past 3 to 5 years. Over 200 firearms, bows, and traps have been voluntarily surrendered by the community. Village regulations now include prohibitions on hunting, viewing it as a moral issue.
Thanks to these measures, the diversity and abundance of bird and animal species in Vinh Phuc’s forests are increasing and will undoubtedly continue to grow.
