On January 15, some residents in Kim Thuy Commune in Quang Binh Province’s Le Thuy District said that they had seen some gaur (Bos gaurus) individuals seeking for food near An Bai and Ha Lec villages in the upper stream area of Khe Bang, around 2 kilometers from the Bang hot spring.

A gaur seen in Le Thuy District in Quang Binh Province. (Photo: Viet Nature)

Le Trong Trai, director of Viet Nature Conservation Center confirmed that there were at least three gaur individuals, consisting of two adults and one young individual, appearing near An Bai and Ha Lec villages and being seen by local residents. This is the area of Eastern Truong Son Mountain. Camera trap of Viet Nature captured photos of gaurs in this area in April 2018. Now local people continue to see them back.

On the same day, authorities of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve in Quang Tri Province confirmed that Ho Van Non, a resident in Cu Bai Hamlet, Huong Lap Commune, Huong Hoa District, saw some animals suspected to be gaurs when he were collecting broom grass in the commune. 

The reserve’s staff went to the scene and noted that there were footprints and faeces suspected to be of gaurs remaining. The largest footprint has a diameter of 13 centimeters and the smallest 9 centimeters. After preliminary check, they affirmed that there were around three gaurs wandering in the aforesaid area.

Specimens collected at the scene have been sent to professional body for research and DNA test for accurate conclusion.

In several years, more and more gaurs have been seen in Quang Tri Province, especially at the Voi Mep Peak at the height of 1,700 meters in the area of Huong Linh Commune, Huong Hoa District, sometimes up to about 10 individuals. Gaur is classified as a rare species in the Red List.

SGGP