On the morning of October 2, Vu Quoc Tam, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ngoc Son commune, confirmed the incident to VietNamNet. Upon receiving the report, local forces were immediately dispatched to assess the situation and issue safety warnings to the community.

According to Tam, the tiger is estimated to weigh between 15 and 20 kilograms. Preliminary assessments suggest it may be a young, stray cub. So far, there have been no reports of damage or threats to human safety. After being spotted, the tiger moved toward the Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong Nature Reserve.

Ngoc Son commune, formed from the merger of the former communes of Ngoc Lau, Tu Do, and Ngoc Son in Lac Son district, Hoa Binh province, is a highland area with complex mountainous terrain. The commune borders the Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong Nature Reserve, which spans over 19,200 hectares, including approximately 15,100 hectares of special-use forest. The reserve stretches across the former districts of Tan Lac and Lac Son.

This reserve serves as a vital ecological corridor connecting Cuc Phuong National Park and the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. It plays a critical role in conserving rare genetic resources and in watershed protection.

Currently, the Ngoc Son commune government is continuing to collaborate with relevant agencies to track the tiger and determine its origin. Officials have urged residents not to approach, photograph, or attempt to capture the animal to ensure public safety and support wildlife conservation efforts.

According to the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, tigers have been classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List since 1986. As of 2015, the global wild tiger population was estimated at just 3,062 to 3,948 mature individuals - a staggering 95% drop from the estimated 100,000 at the start of the 20th century.

Tigers are among the most threatened species due to rampant poaching, illegal captivity, and illicit trade. In Vietnam, wild tigers have nearly vanished, primarily due to ongoing demand for tiger-derived products such as tiger bone glue, claws, and skins, as well as continued violations of conservation laws.

Internationally, tigers are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This appendix includes species most at risk of extinction. For these animals, including tigers, international trade for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.

Anh Tam