The Story of the Mafia Ape Rescued from the Drug Lord's House

(NLDO)- A rare white-cheeked gibbon named Mafia was rescued from the villa of a drug lord, touching many people when they came to Cuc Phuong.

Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh) is currently considered a common home for many rare wild animals, including many species listed in the Vietnam and world Red Books.

A white-cheeked gibbon named Mafia was rescued from the home of a notorious drug lord. Photo: Cuc Phuong National Park

Here, there are many animal rescue centers that are caring for, raising, and preserving hundreds of animals that were hunted and rescued by authorities or handed over by people and organizations.

Cuc Phuong Endangered Primate Rescue Center is one of the centers that is taking care of 220 primates of 14 species. These are all species in the Red Book, rare and endangered animals that need to be protected.

Among hundreds of primates, the story of the journey to rescue and care for a rare white-cheeked gibbon named Mafia touched many people.

Due to hepatitis B, Mafia no longer has the chance to return to the jungle. Photo: Tuan Minh

Mr. Pham Phu Cuong, an officer of the Cuc Phuong National Park Management Board, said that in 2018, drug lord Trieu Ky Voong (in Lang Son) was arrested by the police. Searching the suspect’s house, the authorities discovered a gibbon kept separately on the 9th floor of the villa.

After solving the case, the police handed it over to Cuc Phuong National Park for rescue, because this is an endangered, rare wild animal, prohibited from illegal trading or captivity.

According to Mr. Cuong, when he was brought to the primate rescue center, the staff here named the ape Mafia to remind them of the rescue of this individual at the drug lord's house.

Tourists visit the educational area and see primates. Photo: Tuan Minh

As soon as he was brought to the center, experts were very worried because Mafia was raised as a pet by the drug lord and could become addicted to drugs. "Fortunately, during the care and rehabilitation process, Mafia was lucky not to become addicted to drugs. However, Mafia was infected with the hepatitis B virus, so even though he was healthy, this ape would never have the chance to return to the green forest because the disease could spread to other animals when released," said Mr. Cuong.

Although he no longer has the chance to return to nature, Mafia is given special care at the center, living in an airy, semi-natural environment and regularly checked by doctors here. Mafia is fed 4 times a day (3 main meals and 1 snack), the main food is tubers and some vegetables, leaves...

Mr. Pham Phu Cuong, an officer at Cuc Phuong National Park, tells about the life of the Mafia ape.

"The Mafia is kept and cared for in the educational and tourist area to remind people of the consequences of keeping wild animals as pets. From there, it helps visitors spread the story so that we can join hands to protect wild animals" - Mr. Cuong shared.

Asia's Top National Parks

Located 120 km south of Hanoi, deep in the Tam Diep mountain range, Cuc Phuong National Park is the first national park and also the first nature reserve in Vietnam, established in 1962, located in 3 provinces: Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, with a total area of ​​22,408 hectares.

Every year, Cuc Phuong National Park welcomes tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors to visit, study and research. This is also a place that greatly inspires young people around the world about their love of nature. With its achievements, Cuc Phuong National Park has been honored to receive many noble awards from the State. 2024 is the 6th consecutive year (from 2019-2024) that Cuc Phuong National Park has been honored by the World Travel Awards as Asia's leading national park.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/video-cau-chuyen-ve-chu-vuon-mafia-duoc-giai-cuu-tu-nha-ong-trum-ma-tuy-196250323103656636.htm