DA NANG (VNS) — Forest rangers and police in the central city of Da Nang have rescued 12 wild animals from a cafe in Cam Le district, agency head Tran Van Luong confirmed yesterday. The captured animals, including monkeys, a hawk, peacocks, a red-billed blue magpie and a tiger, all listed as endangered and critically endangered species in Viet Nam. The case is under investigation. — VNS … [Read more...]
Websites tout wild animals
VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam is looking to the internet for effective solutions to prevent wild animal trafficking. Forest rangers in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong inspect dead animals that had been illegally traded in local restaurants and food stalls. Viet Nam is looking to the internet for effective solutions to prevent wild animal trafficking. According to a survey recently released by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), up to 108 wild animal species are found to be trafficked illegally over 33 Vietnamese websites. At a conference held in Ha Noi last Wednesday, Deputy Director of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Viet Nam's Management Authority Do Quang Tung, said that the survey, which was first conducted in Viet Nam, was thought to help CITES Viet Nam outline effective ways to curb the situation in the country. WCS Country Director of Viet Nam Scott Roberton said that reptiles such as snakes, … [Read more...]
Wild animal use in medicine condemned
Next Week Do you own your home in Viet Nam? A law allowing certain categories of foreigners to own apartments in Viet Nam for terms of up to 50 years officially took effect at the beginning of 2009, but only a few foreigners own houses today. Under a resolution passed by the National Assembly in mid-2008, those eligible to buy apartments include foreign firms purchasing housing for staff. The eligible individuals are foreigners who invest directly in Viet Nam or are hired for management positions by companies in the country, foreigners married to Vietnamese, foreigners with special skills needed for Viet Nam's economy and foreigners who have been awarded medals or other honours by the Government. After four years, only 427 foreigners and Viet kieu (overseas Vietnamese) have bought apartments in Viet Nam, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Viet kieu are the majority. This number is quite small when compared to the estimated 80,000 foreigners living and … [Read more...]
Should seized wild animals be passed over for use in traditional medicines?
The Ha Noi People's Committee has received a request from the Ha Noi-based National Hospital of Traditional Medicine, asking that it be given the carcasses of dead wild animals seized from traffickers early this month so the hospital can use them for ingredients in traditional medicines.The hospital said parts of the dead animals, such as deer horns, tiger and monkey bones and pangolin, are key ingredients of traditional medicines.However, wildlife protection agencies in Viet Nam and around the world have urged that humans not be permitted to eat or use wild animals or their products to stop them being killed for the purpose, to save them from extinction.What do you think of the hospital's request? Would granting their request add credence to erroneous claims that wild animal and their products are useful for treating diseases?If so, what's a suitable way to deal with the carcasses?Reply by email to: [email protected], or by fax to (84-4) 3 933 2311. Letters can be sent to The … [Read more...]
Wild animal meat on sale near Huong Pagoda
HA NOI (VNS)— A recent survey conducted by Education for Nature Viet Nam (ENV) shows that around 90 per cent of local restaurants leading up to the famed Huong Pagoda in Ha Noi's My Duc District have been selling the meat of deer, Indian civet, porcupine, boar and other wild animals. The findings contradict a statement released by Nguyen Van Hau, Vice chairman of the district People's Committee, that the restaurants only sold farm animals. According to ENV staff, the owners of the restaurants offered them wild animal meat when they posed as customers, but when they came back with authorised agencies the owners claimed that all of the meat was registered and had not come from the wild. Tran Viet Hung, deputy director of ENV, said "If these restaurants have really been selling wild animals, it is not only a violation of regulations but also damages the image of the pagoda - one of the most popular spiritual destinations in the city, especially during the first days of Lunar New … [Read more...]
Wild animal breeders see tightened regulations
HA NOI (VNS)— The authorities are tightening regulations and inspections on 359 establishments in the capital that are allowed to breed and raise wild animals. These establishments are raising about 54,000 wild animals, some of which play a role in preserving wild populations. However, strict management must be implemented to reduce illegal trading, according to authorities. Forestry authorities in Ha Noi have asked all relevant agencies to coordinate in inspecting all establishments before allowing them to register. — VNS … [Read more...]
Imports of rare wild animals restricted
HA NOI (VNS) — The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is considering prohibiting imports of some endangered wild animals including rhino, tiger, elephant, pangolin, Tibetan bear and Malayan bear. All of these specimens are included in the appendix of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Under a ministry's draft document, imports were only allowed for specific purposes in diplomacy, scentific research and non-profit exhibitition.-VNS … [Read more...]
Wild animal protection hot line set up
VietNamNet Bridge – A toll-free wild animal protection hot line was established by Education for Nature Viet Nam (ENV) on Tuesday to mark International Biodiversity Day. The hot line (18001522) allows people to anonymously report suspected cases of trafficking wild animals or their meat. Fourty-seven State and private organisations are participating in ENV's "Secured zones for wild animals and plants" programme, which is designed to raise awareness about the threats to the nation's wild animal and plant species. VietNamNet/Viet Nam News … [Read more...]
Rare wild animals returned to forest
More than 20 tonnes of rare wild animals were returned to their natural habitat by the Forest Management Department of southernmost Ca Mau province at U Minh Ha Vo Doi National Park. The rare wild animals are of 10 different types, including a python, tortoise, iguana, monkey and snake. This is the third time this year that the department has returned rare wild animals to the forest. According to Nguyen Van Dau, deputy director of the park, local forest rangers discovered at least 120 cases of illegal animal hunting each month in the area. … [Read more...]
Meat of unidentified wild animals seized
DONG NAI — More than 200 kilos of meat without origin certificates were seized from a store in the southern Dong Nai Province, according to the provincial police on Thursday. Nguyen Thi Rong, a resident of Vinh Cuu District, was found storing nearly 100 kilos of frozen wild animal meat including wild boar, fox and tortoise. Another 117 kilos of wild animal meat was confiscated from Vu Minh Khang in the same district. According to the police, the two units allegedly sold wild animal meat to restaurants on a regular basis. Freezing weather takes toll on cows, buffaloes BAC KAN — Fourteen cows and buffaloes froze to death yesterday in northern mountainous Bac Kan Province, according to the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department. This is first incident of its kind in the northern mountainous provinces this season. The department ordered the district and commune authorities to disseminate information to local people about methods to actively keep their … [Read more...]