On May 19, Mr. Dao Xuan Thuy - Director of the Management Board of Chu Mom Ray National Park, Quang Ngai province - said that the unit had recorded many rare wild chickens appearing in the natural forest.
The individuals were discovered through a camera trap system and patrol activities of officials of Chu Mom Ray National Park.
According to Mr. Thuy, the recorded species include striped pheasant, chest-shaped pheasant, red-faced pheasant and pink-purple pheasant.
In which, lizard-tailed pheasant, chest-shaped pheasant and red-faced pheasant belong to group IB - a group of endangered and rare forest animals strictly protected by law according to the provisions of Circular No. 27/2025/TT-BNNMT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Pink-purple pheasant belongs to group IIB, which is a group of forest animals that are not yet threatened with extinction but are at risk of being threatened if not strictly managed.
For species belonging to group IB, just having acts of illegal hunting and trapping can be considered for criminal handling. The specific level of handling will be based on the number of individuals, the level of violation and the consequences caused," Mr. Thuy said.
According to Mr. Thuy, for some species belonging to group IIB, violators may be administratively sanctioned if they hunt illegally. However, in cases of large-scale hunting, extermination or illegal trading, they may still be prosecuted for criminal liability according to legal regulations.
These rare chicken species mainly live in old forests with thick canopies, high humidity and less affected by humans. These are areas that still retain their primary ecosystems, with abundant food sources such as forest seeds, insects and many natural fruits.
Some species such as striped pheasants and red money pheasants often appear in green forests, low hilly terrain, near streams. They have a rather shy habit, mainly foraging in the early morning or late afternoon, so it is very difficult to record.
According to the Director of the Management Board of Chu Mom Ray National Park, these species are particularly sensitive to changes in their habitat. Their appearance is seen as a positive sign, showing that the forest ecosystem in Chu Mom Ray National Park is still being relatively intact.
Chu Mom Ray National Park has an area of more than 56,200ha, is home to about 1,000 animal species, including 112 species on the list of endangered, precious, and rare species that need priority protection; along with nearly 1,900 plant species, with 192 endemic species.
With nearly 300 camera traps installed throughout the area, over the past time, this unit has also recorded many other rare animal species such as gaurs, black bears and many endemic birds.
