The mammal, with the scientific name Macaca arctoides, is listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

According to the park authority, a resident in the province's Tuyen Hoa District, Pham Thi Chau, handed over the primate last Friday following requests by the park's staff.

Earlier this year, Chau had bought the macaque while on a working trip to Khammouan Province in Lao, and she has raised the animal as a pet at home.

Due to being held in captivity for so long, the macaque's health is poor and it has lost its natural instincts, the park's veterinary staff said.

The park is drawing up a plan to cure the primate's health issues and restore its natural habits before releasing it into the wild.

Capturing, transporting, hunting, trading and killing rare and protected animals like this primate can attract penalties under the Vietnamese criminal code.