Owl dies after wings clipped: What penalties Vietnam imposes for wildlife abuse

In mid-October, a case involving a barn owl with its wing feathers clipped, leaving it unable to fly, began circulating on social media in Ho Chi Minh City. 

The incident sparked speculation that someone had deliberately cut the bird's feathers out of superstition, as owls are traditionally considered a bad omen in Vietnam. 

The bird was rescued by a woman and taken to a veterinary clinic where it received intensive care for nearly two weeks before eventually dying.

The barn owl is listed in Group IIB under Vietnam's regulations on endangered, precious, and rare forest animals. 

Following the incident, lawyer Le Thi Thuy of the Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association provided a legal perspective on the case, explaining what legal consequences those responsible for harming wildlife could face under Vietnamese law.

Lawyer Thuy said deliberately clipping a bird's wing feathers and causing injuries that leave it unable to fly are an act that should be condemned and may constitute harm to wildlife.

However, determining legal liability requires authorities to establish who was responsible, the bird's origin, the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the cause of death. 

It cannot be automatically concluded that the bird died as a result of having its wing feathers clipped without professional verification.

Under Articles 24, 25 and 26 of Decree 146/2026/ND-CP, illegal hunting, capturing, killing, keeping, confining, transporting, possessing or trading in Group IIB forest animals can result in administrative fines.

Fines for individuals range from VND1 million (US$39) to VND300 million ($11,700), depending on the value of the wildlife involved. Violations involving Group IB animals can attract fines of up to VND360 million ($14,000).

Additional penalties may include confiscation of the animals and vehicles or equipment used in the violations. 

Offenders may also be required to pay an amount equivalent to the value of the confiscated exhibits or equipment, depending on the circumstances.

Where the violations constitute a criminal offense, offenders may face prosecution under Article 234 of Vietnam's Penal Code for violating regulations on wildlife protection. 

The offense carries a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and fines of up to VND200 million ($7,770). 

Additional penalties may include a ban on holding certain positions or practicing certain professions or occupations for up to five years.

For more strictly protected wildlife species, violations may be prosecuted under Article 244 of the Penal Code, which governs offenses involving endangered, precious, and rare animals. The maximum prison sentence under this provision is 15 years.

Thuy underlined that protecting wildlife is not only a legal obligation but also a responsibility toward biodiversity and the environment. 

She advised the public against hunting, trading, keeping, or handling wild animals themselves, including based on superstitious beliefs.

Anyone who discovers injured or abused wildlife, or animals suspected of being illegally kept in captivity, should notify forest rangers, local authorities, or relevant agencies so the animals can be properly rescued and the violations dealt with in accordance with the law.