Enforcement headache: Poachers killed this Bos gaurus in Vinh Khe. On the trail: A forest ranger measures an ox’s tracks to estimate its weight. — VNS Photos K.L.

by Lam Khanh

The return to Quang Tri Province in December last year of 13 wild oxen of the Bos gaurus species, which is on the world endangered list, was encouraging news to all. A team of experts and researchers was immediately dispatched to the province’s Gio Linh District in order to thwart illegal hunters and protect the rare animals.

It took the team a day’s walk under the guidance of two ethnic Van Kieu villagers to reach Khe Ky where the oxen were believed to be situated. The oxen were believed to have taken to the Khe Ky area because of its 1,500ha valley surrounded by dense forest and high mountains. As the rain intensified, the team set up camp in a nearby wood to wait for the animals to reveal themselves as they sought fresh grass. Luck smiled at them that night as the bellowing sounds of the bulls broke the silence. The following morning, the team travelled a further 3km to view the 13 animals foraging as a herd, but the sight of humans prompted the oxen to flee.

Nguyen Van Nhuan, a Gio Linh District forestry guard, measured the oxen’s tracks to estimate their size, which is considerable. The ethnic Van Kieu villagers warned the experts of the danger of the animals, which can turn very excited at the presence of humans. A couple of years ago, they said, a hunter shot a bull but did not kill it outright. As he approached the ox to grasp its horns, the animal suddenly rose up and gored him to death.

Locals told the research team that the bulls often return to Vinh Khe at the start of winter in search of tender new grass following the long dry season, then they move to Tru Lau in Dac Krong valley. Researchers believe that there could exist at least three areas in Quang Tri Province that the animals frequent and are working to establish a detailed map of the animals’ living zone in order to ensure their better care and protection.

That protection is badly needed: in the last few years, the collection of ox horns has become popular among the well-off. The black market price for a pair of ox horns varies from VND2-4 million. In some areas, hundreds of traps have been found.

Hefty: A fully-grown Bos gaurus.

Cao Dang Viet, an expert on rare animal protection at the Quang Tri Department of Forest Protection estimated that there is a total of about 30 rare oxen in Viet Nam at the moment and their fates are in big danger.

To combat illegal hunters, local authorities have established a network of informers and conducted various campaigns to promote awareness about the protection of rare species in general and the Bos gaurus in particular. — VNS

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