Authorities in northern Yen Bai province's Luc Yen district have confirmed the existence of tigers in the local forest, according to Chairman of the district People's Committee Hoang Kim Trong.

The confirmation was made after local residents reported seeing and hearing two tigers while collecting bamboo sprouts in forest near the district's Minh Tien commune in April.

Local forest rangers also found tiger footprints in the area.

The local authorities are taking measures to protect locals and the tigers, Trong said, asking for the help of scientists and wildlife protection organisations.-VNA