Vietnam News 13 June 1995 p.7

Captured monkeys freed by rangers

Hanoi ÑA batch of 13 monkeys kept in captivity were released
to the wild in Quang Nam-Dangnang province this week,
according to forest rangers.

The plight of these poor animals was discovered last Sunday
when police and forest rangers intercepted a north-bound
truck at the foot of the Hai Van Pass on the central coast.

The truck was heading from Darlac to Hanoi when it was
stopped and checked. Before he escaped the owner Le To, told
police that he was taking the cargo to Hanoi for sale. The
monkeys were supposedly destined for a specialist wildlife
shop where they would have been considered a prize catch for
wildlife connoisseurs. Others think that their destination
was more likely the Phung Hung Market where they would have
been sold as meat.

Facing the rapid disappearance of rare animals from the ever
dwindling tropical forest areas, the government has
repeatedly issued forest protection laws and regulations to
discourage such hunting. Yet, the ban seems to be violated
almost everywhere.

The most worrying aspect is that such violations are on the
increase in recent years following the increased demand for
such rare species from the Chinese market. Meanwhile lax
control on the part of customs officers at border check
points have made such smuggling commonplace. Much sought
after animals include mountain turtles, frogs, monkeys and
several other species whose bones and meat are valuable
ingredients in the making of traditional medicines.

No attempt was made to further pursue the run-away trader,
local police said.

The 13 monkeys were released into the wilderness in the
HeadWater forest in Hp Nine district, local forest rangers
said.

About two months ago, at the same check point, a cargo of
nine weasels was seized from a north- south trader. On this
occasion, the animals were carried to Son Tra forest, south
of Danang port, for release.ÑVNS