On November 11, the An Giang Provincial Forest Protection Department said that it had just received a quick report from the Forest Protection Department of Region I on the case of illegal wildlife farming and captivity in Binh Thanh Hamlet, Thoai Son Commune, An Giang Province.
In order to ensure the verification and handling of violations in accordance with the order and procedures of law, the Forest Protection Department directed the Forestry Department to coordinate with the Forest Protection Department of Region I to immediately deploy professional measures to conduct inspections, verification, and handling of the case according to regulations.
Accordingly, on October 30, 2025, the An Giang Forest Protection Department coordinated with the working group of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, the Department of Environmental Crime Prevention Police (C05), Thoai Son Commune Police to inspect a farming facility located in Binh Thanh Hamlet, Thoai Son Commune, An Giang Province. Thereby, a case of illegal wildlife farming and captivity was discovered.
The force inspected and prevented violations, counted the number of animals and worked with the violator, Mr. T.H.E (born in 1995). Through the counting, the number of wild animals illegally kept and locked up at the facility was determined to be 191 individuals, initially identified as South American dragons.
The Forest Protection Department coordinates with relevant units to conduct inspections of compliance with legal regulations on raising and trapping wild animals according to regulations.
At the time of inspection, Mr. E could not present documents or papers proving the legal origin of the number of 191 individuals suspected of being South American dragons at the facility. The facility also does not have a license to register or grant a license from a state management agency for wildlife farming activities.
Through investigation, Mr. E confessed to buying the animals suspected to be South American dragons from a person named Tam (unknown identity) in 2023 and raising, breeding, and reproduction until they were discovered by the authorities.
Mr. E also illegally posted images and videos of South American dragons on social media platforms. The authorities worked, forcing the violator to immediately remove all illegally posted images and videos of wild animals on social networking platforms.
The Forest Protection Department issued a Decision on requesting competent authorities to assess and determine species names and groups. After the appraisal conclusion, the Forest Protection Department will take the next steps to investigate, consolidate the records, and thoroughly handle the violation according to regulations.
For the number of 191 animals that were temporarily detained for administrative violations, they have been temporarily sent to Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Station for further care and raising to ensure the health of the individuals during the investigation and handling of the incident by the authorities.
To ensure the management and protection of wildlife species, the Forest Protection Department continues to direct its affiliated units to strengthen inspection and review of areas, routes, and wildlife farming facilities to promptly prevent and thoroughly handle violations of wildlife laws.
Propagate, mobilize, raise awareness of individuals and communities in fighting, denouncing, and reflecting violations of the law on management and protection of wildlife species. Strengthen management of wildlife farming, legal origin records, and prevention of foreign animal inspection.
