Visitors take a boat trip in the Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve. (photo: Tan Phong/ VOV)

The Lung Ngoc Hoang nature reserve, a typical wetland of the Western Hau River region, covers approximately 2,800 hectares. Its core zone is strictly protected, remaining untouched to preserve the endemic genetic resources of flora and fauna.

Lung Ba Dia and Lung Sen are habitats and nesting grounds for varieties of birds, animals, and aquatic plants and creatures. The Ecological Restoration Zone is designated for ecological experiments and regeneration of wetland ecosystems. Many valuable medicinal herbs are being grown here.

Among more than 900 species of plants and animals, many rare and endangered species are listed in Vietnam’s and the world’s Red Books, such as the hairy-nosed otter, the black marsh turtle, and the cobra. Other species include the black-napped tern, the white-breasted waterhen, and different varieties of stork, palm civet, and leopard cat.

A rare bird is taken care at Lung Ngoc Hoang wildlife rescue centre befefore sending to Cat Tien National Park. (photo: Tan Phong/VOV)

According to Lu Xuan Hoi, the Reserve’s Director, the botanical garden, which includes an area for nurturing rescued wild animals, has collected native plant and animal species for conservation and research, with future ecotourism in mind.

“We have grown several endemic plant species and established an area for breeding some critically endangered and rare animals. Every year, the People's Committee of Hau Giang province allocates funding for us to maintain these activities,” Hoi said.

The botanical garden and wildlife rescue centre covers more than one hectare. It is growing about 90 rare and endemic plant species. Over the past three years, countless snakes, turtles, birds, and other wild animals have been rescued and released back into nature.

Tran Be Em, Head of the Science and Wetland Conservation Division at the Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve, said: “Every year, the authorities verify rare and endangered wildlife species. We identify healthy and native animals, and release them back into the forest. For non-native animals, the forest rangers coordinate with other units to return them to their original habitats. Recently, the forest rangers transferred several species, including the woolly-necked stork and the pangolin, to Cát Tiên National Park.”

Tran Be Em, Head of the Science and Wetland Conservation Division at the Lung Ngoc Hoang Nature Reserve (photo: Tan Phong/ VOV)

Visitors are impressed by the variety of animals raised here. There are crocodiles, mud crabs, Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, and even genetically mutated pythons.

Le Thi Hien from Chau Thanh A district, Hau Giang province, said: “I’ve travelled to many places in the Mekong Delta, but I’ve never seen a crocodile as large as the one here. This place nurtures and conserves many rare animals. The surroundings are peaceful and scenic. If it offered ecotourism, it would definitely attract lots of visitors.”