Request to stop visitors from directly contacting domestic tigers

In recent days, social networks have spread images and videos recording the scene of a baby tiger - named "Ngao" - being friendly, wrapped around the caregiver, constantly being patched and carried like a pet.

Many people are excited, even calling this a "tourism ambassador", making Hon Nhan Eco-tourism Area (Dien Doai commune, Dien Chau district, Nghe An) attract a large number of tourists to visit and interact with animals.

This tiger is the child of an imported pair of tigers, now over 6 months old, and has been raised in the tourist area since childhood.

However, according to the representative of Nghe An Forest Protection Department, speaking with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper on April 14, allowing tourists to have direct contact with wild animals, even baby tigers, is an act contrary to legal regulations, posing many potential risks to public safety and health.

On the same day, Nghe An Forest Protection Department issued Document No. 147 requesting to rectify activities at the zoo, sent to Hon Nhan Eco-tourism Area. The document affirmed that this unit's permission for tourists to directly come into contact with aggressive pets ( reason) is a spontaneous act, without permission from the authorities.

Nghe An Forest Protection Department requested the unit to immediately stop allowing visitors to have direct contact with pets, especially fierce species such as tigers, lions, bears, etc. At the same time, Hon Nhan Tourist Area is required to have a written explanation of the incident.

At the same time, the unit is required to strictly comply with the provisions of the law on the protection of wildlife in general and animals in particular; do not allow people to come into direct contact with these species (except in cases where veterinary staff intervene for medical intervention).

Visitors are only allowed to see animals from licensed areas. Direct contact poses a potential risk of wildlife attacks, while increasing the ability to transmit diseases from animals to humans and vice versa.

The Department also requested Hon Nhan Eco-tourism Area to remove all articles and images related to giving people direct contact with tigers on social networking platforms and electronic information pages.

Expressing concern about the incident, Ms. Bui Thi Ha - Deputy Director of the Environmental Education Center (ENV) - commented: "This is an act contrary to the principle of wildlife conservation. In fact, many cases of fierce attacks have been recorded, causing injuries or deaths. Exposure is not only dangerous but also poses a risk of spreading disease from animals to humans. In addition, allowing people to squeeze and hug wild animals does distort public awareness about wildlife protection, disrupting their natural routine.

ENV said it will send documents to authorities, recommending strict supervision and taking strict handling measures to prevent negative precedents in eco-tourism activities related to wildlife.

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