There are around 70 caged tigers and they are held in captivity for many reasons in Vietnam, announced CITES on September 14.

Besides the number of tigers kept in Hanoi Zoo, Saigon Zoological and Botanical Gardens, and Suoi Tien Amusement Park, they are bred on farms in Binh Duong, Thanh Hoa, and Thai Nguyen provinces and at circuses for performances.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has ordered breeders and local authorities to check the safety of their breeding facilities and ensure protection for neighboring citizens, but most private enclosures reportedly remain neglected.

A concern for the safety of wild animal breeding facilities was raised when a tiger at Dai Nam Park, Binh Duong Province, attacked three workers, killing one, on September 10.

According to a report by the ministry to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, breeding wild animals like bears, crocodiles, pythons and tigers has become a great business opportunity, as breeders can make large profits from them.

There are 6,000 farms breeding more than 1.5 million individuals of 70 wild species around the country.

VietNamNet/SGGP