On October 25, a representative of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Forest Protection Department said that after many years, the owner of an illegal tiger capture facility in Xuan Tin commune, Thanh Hoa province agreed to transfer all 9 tigers, without receiving compensation.
According to this representative, in mid-September 2025, after receiving a document from the Department of Forestry and Forestry (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) on strengthening the management of tiger captivity facilities, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Thanh Hoa coordinated with relevant agencies to work with the family of Mr. Nguyen Mau Chien - owner of the tiger captivity facility.
Through the work, Mr. Nguyen Mau Chien agreed to unconditionally transfer and did not request compensation for all adult tigers to units and centers that were eligible for receipt according to regulations.
By October 20, the People's Committee of Thanh Hoa province had issued a directive to assign the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with relevant units, study information on facilities capable of rescuing, caring for and being ready to receive (without fee) tigers provided by the Center for Nature Education, to implement the transfer of 9 tigers, to be completed before November 5.
It is known that in 2007, Mr. Nguyen Mau Chien (residing in Hanoi, cousin of Mr. Nguyen Mau Bach) bought 10 tigers (each weighing about 7kg) from a stranger in Laos and then raised them in Xuan Tin commune. After being discovered to be illegally held, Mr. Chien was fined 30 million VND but was still assigned to take care of the tigers. In 2008, he continued to buy 5 more tigers and was administratively fined an additional 30 million VND.
By mid-2017, the tiger breeding and growth permit of the farm had expired. After that, the farm owner repeatedly applied for a new license but was not approved due to legal regulations.
Over the years, from the initial 15 individuals, 6 tigers have died, currently the farm has 9 pigs, each weighing from 150 - 200kg. Notably, 2 individuals died in 2023 and 2024, weighing about 200kg/child. The tiger's remains have been sealed and preserved in the freezer under the supervision of the government and forest rangers pending handling.
