On August 10, the Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province announced that they have directed the Forest Ranger Unit to set up camera traps in areas of the forest where residents reported sightings of wild tigers.
Authorities have set up camera traps to verify reports of wild tiger sightings in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (illustrative image)
As previously reported, the Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park received information from a local resident who claimed to have encountered a wild tiger while exploring deep into the forest of the park.
This individual stated that the sighting occurred at Km24 on Route 20 Quyet Thang, a narrow road that runs through the forest from the Ho Chi Minh Road – Western Branch leading to the two border communes of Tan Trach and Thuong Trach, located within the park’s jurisdiction.
Upon encountering the tiger, the individual, frightened, climbed a tall tree to avoid being attacked and made noise to alert others. After a few minutes, the tiger disappeared into the dense forest. The man then abandoned his sightseeing trip and reported the incident to the leaders of the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park Management Board.
Immediately after receiving the information, the Management Board directed the Forest Ranger Unit to the scene to search for evidence.
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park with its towering limestone mountains.
To verify the information accurately and establish scientific grounds, the Management Board instructed the Forest Ranger Unit to set up camera traps in the area reported by the local residents and its surrounding regions. Results from the camera traps are expected by the end of August 2022.
It is known that camera traps are tools for researching and monitoring wildlife, contributing to the conservation of endangered species. These traps will capture and document unique images of rare animals at risk of extinction.
According to the Management Board of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam has not recorded any signs of wild tigers in nature for several decades. If the sighting reported by this individual is confirmed, it would be a groundbreaking discovery for tiger conservation efforts.
According to the Wildlife Protection Center in Vietnam (SVW), the last photograph of a tiger taken in Vietnam was in 1998. It has been 24 years since wildlife conservationists have collected any evidence or traces of tigers in the wild. However, some locals still claim to have seen signs of tigers, although these have not been verified.
