NGO offers wildlife trafficking solutions

HA NOI — Shutting down social media channels used to advertise illicit wildlife is one of the actions recommended by NGO Education for Nature Viet Nam (ENV) to put an end to the wildlife trade in Viet Nam.

ENV presented its list, titled “Ten critical actions to fight against the extinction of endangered animals,” at a press conference on Tuesday.

First presented in 2016, the list will be revised after the 2018 International Wildlife Trade conference in London this October.

According to the NGO, the 10 actions Viet Nam should take to positively impact the future of its endangered wildlife include prosecuting the leaders of criminal trafficking networks, eliminating corruption, establishing effective deterrents, banning rhino horn trade in any form, destroying all stockpiles of confiscated ivory and rhino horn. Closing tiger farms and stopping unregulated tiger breeding at zoos and rescue centers, ending bear farming, and establishing stricter controls on the licensing of commercial wildlife farms and conservation facilities are also recommended.

Thanks to efforts by Government agencies, ENV and other NGOs, 22 of Viet Nam’s 63 provinces now report no more bear farms.

On March 20, Nguyen Mau Chien, leader of a major wildlife trafficking network from Africa to Viet Nam was sentenced to 13 months in prison. Chien’s 2017 arrest marked a milestone in Viet Nam’s battle against wildlife traffickers. It was the first arrest of a suspected wildlife trafficking ring leader.

ENV director Vu Thi Quyen stressed patience and persistence as it can take a long time for these crimes to be revealed.

“I appreciate ENV’s perseverance in exposing wildlife violations,” said Pham Huyen, a PanNature officer. “I hope other NGOs and media organisations will join in the fight to eradicate this crime in Viet Nam.” — VNS