In Con Dao, the work of a forest ranger is not confined to the forest. On this remote island district, rangers serve a dual mission: protecting the forest on land and safeguarding marine resources at sea. For them, moving “from the forest to the ocean” is simply part of daily life.
Working through rough seas and strong winds
During the year-end monsoon season, strong winds and high waves return to Con Dao. Yet the rangers’ duty to protect forests and marine life never stops.
Beyond the main island, Con Dao includes 16 smaller islets, some located just a few nautical miles away, others dozens of miles offshore. Ranger stations are scattered across these islets, often accessible only by boat and then by climbing over rocky cliffs and steep hills.
One of the key stations is Hon Tai, where rangers protect the forest ecosystem, sea cucumbers, and nesting sea turtles. Even in rough seas, they must transfer to small canoes to reach the island and make their way up the rocks to the station.
Life at offshore ranger stations
Each offshore ranger station usually has just three to four rangers responsible for a vast area. They endure long periods away from their families—sometimes months at a time due to rough seas—and rely on each other for support.
From March to October, during the sea turtle nesting season, they rarely sleep at night. Their responsibilities include:
- Rescuing mother turtles during nesting
- Transferring eggs to protected hatcheries
- Preventing poaching and illegal collection of turtle eggs
Despite strict protection, poaching attempts remain frequent due to the high black-market value of turtle eggs. Thanks to the rangers’ persistence, 350–400 sea turtles safely nest on Con Dao’s beaches each year.
Confronting “sea poachers” day and night
Poaching at sea is another major challenge. Many groups use boats, nets, and bottom-scraping gear to illegally exploit nearshore marine resources. Some are aggressive, even hurling rocks or attempting to ram patrol boats to escape.
Yet rangers continue their patrols every night—watching for distant lights, tracking suspicious boats, documenting violations, and coordinating with border guards to take action. Their mission is clear:
“Protecting the ocean is as important as protecting the forest. We cannot afford to lose a single turtle or sea cucumber in our area.”
Strength, sacrifice, and silent dedication
Despite facing harsh weather, danger, isolation, and constant pressure, the Con Dao forest rangers remain remarkably resilient. Their strength and dedication shine through every patrol, every rescued turtle, and every prevented violation.
They are not only guardians of forests and oceans, but also protectors of the sacred sovereignty and natural heritage of Con Dao.
Among the wind, waves, and rugged cliffs, these silent heroes ensure that Con Dao remains a sanctuary of pristine forests, diverse marine life, and natural beauty for generations to come.
