Forest ranger fatally gored by gaur in Vietnam's Cat Tien National Park

The incident occurred in subzone No. 6 of Cat Tien National Park, situated in Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province, Pham Xuan Thinh, the park director, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on the same day.

The victim, Dinh Van Kien, had been serving as a forest protection officer at the park since 2016, Thinh said.

That morning, Kien and his colleague, Dang Thai Son, were assigned to patrol the area to detect signs of unauthorized entry.

The two rangers split up to cover more ground.

Shortly after, Son heard Kien cry out, "Son, the gaur gored me, my intestines are coming out."

Son rushed back to find Kien severely injured with a critical abdominal wound.

He administered first aid using his clothing to stem the bleeding and called for assistance.

Despite the swift response from nearby ranger stations and local forest protection teams, Kien succumbed to his injuries due to significant blood loss after reaching a medical station in Tan Phu.

Thinh stated that the park is coordinating scene investigation with local authorities.

He also noted that the park management is coordinating with local officials to extend condolences to Kien's family and provide them with support during this difficult time.

Cat Tien National Park spans over 82,000 hectares across Dong Nai, Lam Dong, and Binh Phuoc Provinces.

Recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2001, the park boasts a rich and diverse ecosystem, housing numerous rare and endangered species, including elephants and gaurs.

In June 2024, the Switzerland-based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially recognized the park as the 72nd addition to its prestigious IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.