Poachers swap weapons for gifts in central Vietnam

Police collaborated with rangers to pilot the “exchanging guns and dangerous weapons for gifts” program on Wednesday in Hoi Xuan Town of Quan Hoa District.

With part of the mountainous town located in the Pu Hu and Pu Luong nature reserves, home to many wild animals, residents have developed the habit of poaching using guns and other forms of equipment, said captain Le Dinh Hoa, head of Hoi Xuan Police Department.

Considering the behavior a risk to social security and order, as well as the natural environment and biodiversity, the department decided to collect residents’ weapons.

In return, poachers would be given gifts including kettles, helmets, or food.

A police officer hands over a kettle to a man who surrendered a homemade gun in Hoi Xuan Town of Thanh Hoa Province, November 9, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/DH

Swapping a homemade gun for a kettle, Ho Van An said the weapon was passed down to him by his father and grandfather.

He sometimes uses it to shoot animals in the forest for fresh meat.

“Now I handed it over, encouraged by officers. They also gave me a gift so I’m happy about it,” said An.

Ha Van Tuan exchanged a bow he had used to catch squirrels and chickens.

So far, police have collected 15 homemade guns, several bows and many types of animal traps.

Captain Hoa said the program would continue in the coming time.

By its end, any locals found hiding or using homemade weapons to catch forest animals would be punished in accordance with existing laws.