Illegal logger becomes dedicated forest ranger
Điểu Long used to be one of the most notorious illegal loggers in the southern province of Bình Phước.
He joined a gang of illegal loggers at the age of 15 to hunt wild animals or chop down trees in Bù Gia Mập National Park.
But now, ironically, Long is one of the most dedicated rangers in the park. His years of experience as an illegal logger has contributed to forest protection efforts.
20 years of deforestation
Long, who is now 49, said he spent 20 years working as an illegal logger, so he had memorised every path and corner of the national park.
Long was born into a poor family in Bù Gia Mập Commune. He quit school when he was in second grade, and spent most of his childhood at home helping with family chores.
