Dao Xuan Thuy, director of Chu Mom Ray National Park, stated that although the sun bear was included on the list of animal species living in the park, it had never been directly observed before.

This discovery proves that the park’s habitat is well protected, creating favourable conditions for the development of rare wildlife species, he said.

The sun bear is classified in Group IIB, listed as a vulnerable and rare species prioritised for legal protection.

In addition, the camera traps also captured images of the red-faced pheasant - a critically endangered species that requires strict protection.

The continuous discovery of rare animal species shows that forest protection efforts at Chu Mom Ray National Park are effective, he said, adding the park will strengthen management and protection measures to preserve and develop the genetic resources of these rare species, contributing to sustainable biodiversity conservation.

Currently, Chu Mom Ray National Park manages more than 60,600 hectares of forest and has installed 280 automatic cameras within the area to monitor biodiversity and support conservation efforts. Camera trap technology has recorded images of many rare species, including endangered ones such as gaur, sun bears, red-faced pheasants, green peafowls, and brown-shanked douc langurs.

To date, the park’s fauna includes 1,003 species, of which 112 are classified as vulnerable, rare, or endangered. In 2004, Chu Mom Ray National Park was recognied as an ASEAN Heritage Park, playing a significant role in forest and biodiversity conservation in Vietnam.

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