29/10/2026
Deep in the shadow of the mangrove forest, Merman Tiun calls out, but the air remains silent. Hidden inside their burrows, dozens of tiny eyes watch cautiously from the dark. It is only when they recognize his familiar face that the silence breaks—and the otters burst out in pure joy, crowding around him for their daily meal.
At its peak, around 20 otters found refuge in this self-funded sanctuary, cared for by his own hands every single day. But to build a sustainable fund for their long-term survival, he couldn’t stay hidden in the forest forever. He had to hand over daily operations to local forest rangers and hire staff to feed them. Tragically, in his absence, disaster struck. Poachers armed with stun guns and hunting ri**es targeted the sanctuary, harming both the defenseless otters and the loyal guard dogs protecting them.
For seven long years, Merman Tiun’s only lifeline to keep this sanctuary alive was teaching swimming and diving. Today, even as the Assistant Coach for the Vietnam Women’s National Water Polo Team—holding international credentials as an SSI Swim Teacher and PADI Mermaid Instructor—the financial burden remains overwhelming. To make matters worse, he has had to navigate envy, sabotage, and hostility from certain figures within the local diving community.
What lies ahead for Merman Tiun and his tireless fight to save these otters? Follow the journey on the TIUTAC YouTube channel and hit Subscribe to stand with us in this tough, vital battle for wildlife conservation!
