HA NOI — A crocodile was recently caught by a passer-by after fleeing from a crocodile farm in Hoang Mai District, raising concern about the management of wild animals in the city.
The reptile was later taken to Ha Noi Zoo. It escaped from a crocodile farm owned by Duong Van Vien in Linh Nam Ward. He is raising 20 others.
Vien told Kinh te and Do Thi newspaper (Economy and Urban Affairs) that he bought 30 crocodiles worth more than VND100 million (US$4,800) from a farm in northern Hung Yen Province to entertain tourists. Nine of them died and one escaped.
The head of the Ha Noi Forestry Management Department, Dang Van Phuc, was quoted by the newspaper as saying that raising wild animals was an activity that must be registered with his department.
However, Phuc added that his department had granted no licences to any citizens in Hoang Mai District to raise crocodiles.
"Crocodile farmers are required to ensure the height and strength of cages as well as water levels," he said. "Vien therefore has violated regulations. Further investigations are being made."
The department urged Vien to submit legal documents proving the origin of the crocodiles and to register with the department. To date, 21 crocodile farms in the city have registered with the department.
Under current regulations, those found to be illegally raising wild rare and valuable animals will be fined between VND50-500 million ($2,400-24,000), according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)'s Management Authority of Viet Nam.
The Ha Noi People's Committee in July fined a resident in Chuong My District VND50 million ($2,400) for illegally raising two wild cats listed as rare and valuable wild animals. — VNS
No comments:
Post a Comment