Endangered species and extinct species

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) – Police in the central city of Da Nang arrested a 33-year old man on June 22 for violating “regulations on the protection of endangered, precious and rare animals”. Nguyen Duc Tai will be detained for four months pending an investigation into his role in a wildlife trafficking ring from Africa to Vietnam. Tien Sa Port , containing a total of 138.78kg of rhino horn, 3,108 kg of lion bones, 456.9 kg of ivory, and 6,232 kg of pangolin scales, valued at around 300 billion VND (12.9 million USD). cashew nuts imported from South Africa and Nigeria, respectively. VNA … [Read more...] about Man arrested in Da Nang for smuggling endangered species

Scientists of the Vietnam National Museum of Nature, University of Michigan, La Sierra University, and San Diego Natural History Museum recently discovered two new species of snakes that are endemic to the south of the Truong Son range in central Vietnam. Recent field work in the endangered habitats of the Giang River Valley in the south-central Vietnamese province of Khanh Hoa resulted in the discovery of two new species of wolf snakes, Lycodon anakradaya and Lycodon truongi, according to Nguyen Anh The, founder of the Vietnambirds website and a member of the research group. The Giang River and its waterway habitat course through a forested river valley formed by east-west trending mountains in the north-western portion of Khanh Hoa Province in the vicinity of the Giang River Hydropower Station. The surrounding mountains form the northeastern slopes of Langbian Plateau and are covered with montane evergreen tropical forests that are dissected by a rich network of small streams … [Read more...] about Two new species of wolf snakes found in Vietnam

The event, which was organized by World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam in coordination with Hanoi’s Department of Tourism and Hanoi Tourism Association, aims to provide knowledge about responsible tourism and wildlife conservation for 150 tour guides and travel operators. Vietnam currently has 33 national parks, 57 nature reserves, 13 habitat conservation areas, 53 landscape protection zones and 9 biosphere reserves. Participants were provided with information that was expected to help identify risks related to brokering and trading wildlife products. Some good models and lessons on responsible tourism associated with nature and wildlife preservation in the world and Vietnam were also shared at the workshop, thereby helping to change travelers’ behaviors and refrain from buying or selling products from endangered species. They also exchanged views related to this regard. Nguyen Dao Ngoc Van from WWF-Vietnam said tourism development has increased the number of visitors to … [Read more...] about Workshop seeks to promote responsible tourism and wildlife conservation

The Hòn Yến national scenic spot in An Hòa Hải, Tuy An, Phú Yên has some unique geological details forming an ecosystem of corals on the shallow surface of sand and volcanic rocks. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Cường PHÚ YÊN — As tourists return to Hòn Yến national scenic spot, their actions are also damaging the coral reefs. The Hòn Yến national scenic spot in An Hòa Hải, Tuy An, Phú Yên has some unique geological details forming an ecosystem of corals on the shallow surface of sand and volcanic rocks. However, outside the current threats of storms and waves, another danger has emerged to endanger this unique ecosystem. Many tourists who come here to take pictures of the coral reefs have stepped on them, making the coral crumble. "Here we have 17 species of coral reefs living," said Hồ Văn Trung, a resident. "To get an ecosystem and a scene such as this takes millions of years. Due to the pandemic, tourists stopped coming here, and the coral regenerated quickly." "But then tourists … [Read more...] about Hòn Yến coral reefs badly damaged

A new species of damselfly, an insect closely related to the dragonfly, has been discovered by a researcher from Da Nang’s Duy Tan University studying biodiversity in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum. Damselflies and dragonflies are indicative of the water quality and general health of an ecosystem.  They also help protect crops from pests. Dr. Phan Quoc Toan first wrote publically about the newly discovered species in an article published in the international journal of Zootaxa in early February, where he announced it would be named Coeliccia lecongcoi in honor of the scientific contributions made by Le Cong Co, the first president of Duy Tan University in the central city of Da Nang. Two damselflies of the Coeliccia lecongcoi are seen in tandem in this photo taken from Phan Quoc Toan’s paper published in Zootaxa in February 2019 . Phan Quoc Toan shows Coeliccia lecongcoi, the latest damselfly that he found in Vietnam and was featured in a … [Read more...] about New damselfly found in central Vietnam

Local authorities release shrimp and crab juveniles into the sea to regenerate fisheries resources in Sóc Trăng Province’s Trần Đề District in April. – VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Trung Hiếu SÓC TRĂNG – The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Sóc Trăng has taken a number of measures to protect its natural fisheries resources to ensure sustainable livelihoods for its people. Its coastline of more than 72km includes large mudflats that are habitats for clams and other aquatic species. In Cù Lao Dung District and Vĩnh Châu Town, mudflats contain around 140 tonnes of clam seeds, according to the province Fisheries Sub-department. They have high value and a fishing boat can earn around VNĐ1 million (US$43) a day from catching the bivalve molluscs, but their quantity has declined significantly in recent years due to several reasons including overfishing. Đỗ Văn Thừa, deputy head of the Cù Lao Dung Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the quantity of clams caught now was only … [Read more...] about Sóc Trăng Province strengthens protection of fisheries resources

A stamp exhibition, under the theme “For the Green” took place at Ho Chi Minh Museum, Number 2 Le Duan Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City on November 20 th in response to environmental protection in Vietnam, the UN International Forest Year, the wild life and ecosystem protection campaign and sustainable use of biodiversity. On display are 38 sets of stamps of 30 collectors, reflecting nature, environment, flora and fauna species as well as the culture, people and history of Vietnam and countries in the world. The event aims to mobilise people to take active part in protecting flora and fauna species, ecosystems and the biodiversity. Dinh Duc Tuan, the winner of the fifth Viet Stamp Exhibition confided that he decided to introduce set of stamps about environment, especially about polar ice melting, to raise  people’s awareness and responsibility on protection of the environment. Source: SGGP Translated by Tran Hoai … [Read more...] about “For the Green” Viet Stamp Exhibition kicks off in Ho Chi Minh City

Likened to tropical forests in the ocean, coral reefs are home to 25% of marine species. However, in recent years, the biodiversity and the number of coral populations in Nha Trang Bay have been rapidly declining due to objective factors and human activities. Following the scientists from the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center’s coastal branch, reporter Tuan Huy of the People's Army Newspaper has had a chance to eye-witness hardships facing Vietnamese and Russian scientists in searching, numbering, sampling and preserving coral and marine species in Nha Trang Bay. The People’s Army Newspaper would like to introduce several photos of Vietnamese and Russian scientists’ activities in Nha Trang Bay with an attempt to covert the seabed into forest. Translated by Mai Huong … [Read more...] about Following in the footsteps of those who convert seabed into forest

Video footage shared on social media showed the orangutan struggling in the water before sinking below the surface at the Safari Phu Quoc in the southern island on June 24. A zoo employee threw in a life buoy before jumping into the pool himself to save the orangutan. He managed to bring it ashore and performed chest presses as first-aid. The orangutan has survived and is in stable health now, a zoo representative said. The zoo has erected signs to warn visitors not to feed animals, except certain species. However, many ignore the warnings, the representative said. The Safari Phu Quoc is a semi-wild zoo spanning 380 ha. It is home to around 3,000 animals, including 175 species of birds, mammals and reptiles. … [Read more...] about Orangutan nearly drowns after zoo visitor throws food into pool