Bear chipping program roll out strengthens bear farm monitoring

Bear chipping program roll out strengthens bear farm monitoring

Hanoi Forest Protection Department in coordination with World Animal Protection has completed the re-microchipping of more than 200 remaining captive bears on farms in Hanoi, one of the hotspots in Vietnam in terms of both the captive bear population and concentration of farms. The latest electronic chips now allow safer and more efficient monitoring of the bears without the need for anesthesia.

The recent re-microchipping program in Hanoi is part of a new strategy developed by a coalition of NGOs (World Animal Protection, Education for Nature - Vietnam and Four Paws International) in partnership with the government to expedite the end of bear farming in Vietnam.

In 2005, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and World Animal Protection (formally World Society for the Protection of Animals) initiated a program to register and insert microchips in more than 4,300 captive bears on hundreds of farms throughout the country. This was the first step in an integrated and strategic campaign to phase out bear farming in Vietnam. The registration and microchipping process was mainly aimed at preventing new illegally sourced bears (without microchips) from entering farms and ensuring improved monitoring of farms for illegal activities.

Thanks to the strong commitment from the government, hard work by provincial Forest Protection Departments in enforcing the law, as well as NGOs and members of the public over the last 12 years, the number of captive bears has decreased dramatically to a little over 1,200 today (according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2015).

“We have achieved significant progress since 2005, when the government initiated efforts to phase out bear bile farming in Vietnam,” says Mrs. Bui Thi Ha, Director of Policy and Legislative Campaigns at ENV. “Not only has the number of bears on farms been reduced by about 70%, but bear bile use has also dropped by more than 61%.” Mrs. Ha also stresses that there have been corresponding improvements in the law and that application of the law by enforcement agencies is far more effective today than it was twelve years ago.

Mrs. Ha cites the successful closure of bear bile farms in Quang Ninh in 2015 as an example, and notes that collaboration between ENV and the Quang Ninh provincial government successfully put a stop to “bear bile tourism” in the province.

“Bear bile farming is coming to an end,” says Mrs. Ha. “We are continuing to work hard to expedite an end to bear bile farming, working hand in hand with government, local law enforcement and members of the public to see this through to completion.”

Asked about the recent re-commitment by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to bring an end to bear bile farming in Vietnam, Mrs. Ha says, “We are pleased to see MARD recommit publicly to this important objective, and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all international organizations that have and continue to contribute to our efforts to end bear farming in Vietnam.”

Mrs. Ha notes, “Everyone has an important role to play that best suits their skills and expertise, whether it is providing a secure home and environment for bears transferred or confiscated from farms, or contributing in some other way to help us bring this cruel and illegal business to an end.”

Mr. Karan of World Animal Protection, which initiated efforts in Vietnam to end bear bile farming back in 2004, emphasized the importance of capitalizing on the momentum resulting from the successful rechipping

operation in Hanoi. “It’s critical that authorities effectively monitor farms post microchipping of bears to ensure bear farmers do not engage in any form of exploitation of their captive bears, including trading them illegally.”

“At the same time,” says Mr. Karan, “we plan to expand the re-microchipping program to other key provinces where there are concentrations of bears and bear bile farms.”

Mr. Karan, echoing the sentiments of Mrs. Ha says, “Our efforts since 2005 have achieved substantial progress and success thus far, but this fight is not over until each and every bear from these bile farms is safely transferred to a rescue center, and the bile business is finished forever in Vietnam.”

ENV welcomes the recent addition of Four Paws International to Vietnam.

Four Paws is in the process of constructing a state of the art sanctuary for bears in Ninh Binh province which will greatly assist in providing more space for bears that are confiscated or transferred from farms.

A recent short film highlighting progress in ending bear farming in Vietnam can be viewed at the following link: http://bit.ly/2uycYZ2

 For more information, please contact Communications Team Education for Nature – Vietnam communication@envietnam.org Tel/Fax: +84 4 6281 5424/ +84 4 6281 5423 Website: www.envietnam.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EducationforNatureVietnam

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Commercial Farming and Trade of Endangered Species - A shortcut to extinction

Commercial Farming and Trade of Endangered Species - A shortcut to extinction

Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV) today hosted a press conference calling for a complete ban on the commercial farming and trade of endangered species. The media event followed a lively round-table meeting held yesterday (July 26) with representatives from law enforcement agencies, decision makers, scientists and conservation experts.

Commercial farming and trade of wildlife is a hotly contested topic in some circles where proponents argue that commercial trade benefits conservation while opponents including ENV warn that commercial trade stimulates demand, compromises conservation, and in its current form in Vietnam, has little or no benefit to conservation. 

The results of an investigation of wildlife farms in Vietnam conducted by ENV show widespread laundering of wild sourced animals and abuse of regulations at all of the licensed farms that were inspected.

ENV’s position is to call for a 100% ban on the commercial farming and trade of endangered species that are protected under Vietnamese law or international treaty.

More photos of the event can be found at ENV’s official Facebook page.

Peter Dickinson Independent International Zoo Consultant +971 50 4787 122 | elvinhow@gmail.com | Skype: peter.dickinson48

Disturbing News out of Phú Quốc Safari

Disturbing News out of Phú Quốc Safari

Over the past five months I have had two approaches from two different Head Hunting companies with regard to a very senior role in Vinpearl Safari Phú Quốc. I like a challenge and I love Asia and so I must admit to being tempted. However I am very happy where I am right now, the work is both challenging and interesting and I have a really great team so I did not follow up on the offers.....did I make the right decision? I wonder.

According to my contacts most of the expat team have now left Phú Quốc , mostly in disgust after the deaths of over 1000 birds and nearly 700 mammals, including twenty Giraffe. Deaths are attributed to parasites, disease, underfeeding and horrific accident. Likely capture myopathy has also played a large part. As this wasn't bad enough in itself around 500 monkeys and numerous birds have escaped into the island. Compounding the wrongs are the arrival of Pangolins and Gibbons of unknown origin. There have been some very disturbing stories doing the rounds for months.....but mostly there is silence. There is nothing in the press. Vinpearl is big and powerful.

The 100 Rhinos? Not all have arrived yet and I hope they don't. Animal dealers and Rhino farmers if they care two hoots about their animals need to step back. I will be more than happy to name them if they don't.

So what to do? Vinpearl has plans for a further two Safari Parks in Vietnam. They need to get this one sorted and up and running smoothly before they take one step further. Right now it is a joke….a sick joke! I recall a similar state of affairs when the Chiang Mai Safari Park first opened. There too there was a refusal to listen to those who knew better. Worse still at the time were the zoos who didn't listen and sent/sold animals to their certain deaths.

Vinpearl Safari Phú Quốc can probably be saved but it needs experienced zoo staff who will be listened to (not ignored)……and their advice and implementations actioned. You can't play zoos, they are not a game. Dealers are out to make a fast buck and their advice and suggestions should not enter the formula at all.

About me:

After more than 49 years working in Private, Commercial and National zoos in the capacity of Keeper, Head keeper and Curator, and sometime Zoo Inspector, Peter Dickinson started to travel. He sold his house and all his possessions and hit the road. He has traveled extensively in Turkey, Southern India and much of South East Asia before settling in Thailand (though currently living and working in Dubai). In his travels he has visited well over 200 zoos and writes about these in his Blog or on Hubpages.

Still living out of his backpack Peter earns his living as an international independent zoo consultant, critic and writer. He describes himself as an itinerant zoo keeper, a dreamer, a traveler, a people watcher, a lover, a thinker, a cosmopolitan, a writer, a hedonist, an explorer, a pantheist, a gastronome, sometime fool, a good friend to some and a pain in the butt to others.

Major tiger farmer sentenced to imprisonment

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/photonquantique/5204762635/

The world has been turned upside down on long-time suspected tiger trader Huynh Van Hai, owner of the Than Canh Tourism Park in Binh Duong province. Hai was sentenced on March 10 to three years in prison for selling tigers out the back door of his park, fourteen other people linked to Hai’s illegal activities, including his son, received sentences ranging from 18 months’ probation to 30 months in prison. In addition to imprisonment, Hai and two other subjects were fined more than VND 1.4 billion (about USD 70,000.00).

The Thanh Canh Tourism Park is one of eight private zoos and establishments in Vietnam that keep tigers. In 2010, a major investigation carried out by ENV found that the Thanh Canh Tourism Park was suspected of involvement in the illegal trade of tigers born at the park. Suspicions were based on inconsistencies in records maintained by the park and observations during regular inspections carried out by ENV and police.

“ENV wishes to congratulate the Binh Duong authorities, and in particular, the Binh Duong Police forpursuing this investigation that led to the prosecution of Mr. Hai and the other suspects involved in this case,“ says Tran Viet Hung, Vice Director of ENV. “This is a huge step forward in our collective efforts to end illegal trade of tigers in Vietnam. Binh Duong authorities are sending a strong message to other tiger farmers that may be engaged in similar illegal activities they too may see the inside of a prison cell if they do not obey the law.”

ENV’s 2010 investigation also indicated that at least two other major tiger farmers in Vietnam were involved in illegally trading live tigers or selling off the remains of tigers that had reportedly died on their farms. The Thanh Canh Tourism Park and four other private establishments keeping tigers in Vietnamare known to have obtained their original tigers illegally from the trade.

“It is time to end illegal tiger trade in Vietnam by expanding and intensifying enforcement efforts targeting major kingpins in the trade and putting these people in jail,” said Hung. Hung went on to suggest that authorities expand their focus to investigate other major tiger traders that are suspected of either raising and selling tigers from their farms or smuggling tigers into Vietnam from Laos and other countries.

Hung noted that efforts must also focus on reducing consumer demand for tiger bone glue, a form of traditional medicine made by boiling down tiger bones that is used to treat arthritis and strengthen bones.

“The myths surrounding use of tiger bone glue as a magic medicine persist amongst older generations of some Vietnamese. However, modern medicine and science are gaining ground amongst younger generations and this will show people that using tiger bone glue is a waste of their money, while more effective treatment is readily available through consultation with professional medical services.”

The Thanh Canh Tourism Park, which is currently closed to business, also keeps tens of bears which are used to extract bile for foreign and domestic visitors, according to staff of the park. Dozens of other animals are also kept at the park to entertain visitors and a restaurant located in the park center offers a range of wildlife dishes. According to ENV investigators who visited the site in February 2011, some of the tigers at the tourism park appeared to be malnourished and in poor condition.

News of Hai’s sentencing by Binh Duong courts, and others involved in the Binh Duong case, were cause for celebration at ENV which has worked long hours to expose illegal activities of tiger farmers and traders in Vietnam. “We feel that Binh Duong authorities have taken a vital first step in ending illegal farming and trade of tigers in Vietnam,” says ENV Founder Vu Thi Quyen. “Let us see how this case can influence other provinces to get tough on criminals involved in illegal trade of tigers and other endangered wildlife.We will not rest until the people behind this dirty tiger trade business are in jail, and not a moment sooner" says Quyen,

Background: Ending tiger farming and trade in Vietnam

Perhaps no other species has received as much attention and support as tigers, with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on their conservation, yet, governments and their conservation counterparts continue to document decline across the range of the species. Vietnam has seen its share of tiger dollars too over the years, but embarrassingly, most experts agree (including international NGOs which have been the recipients of much of these funds) that tigers are all but gone from the wild here, with a few animals perhaps living along the borders of the north and central regions of the country.

Following the 2007 discovery of approximately 60 illegal tigers being kept privately by businessmen, ENV embarked on a program aimed at arresting the growth and development of the tiger trade in Vietnam.

ENV’s tiger strategy focuses on three components:

• Strengthening law and policy in relation to the protection of tigers and closure of tiger farms by working with key decision-makers at the central and provincial level

• Strengthening enforcement through promotion and support of the work of law enforcement agencies in investigating and combating illegal tiger trade, as well as monitoring existing tiger farming operations

• Raising public awareness to encourage greater public support in reporting crimes involving tigers and reducing demand and consumption of tiger products

This new program began with a major investigation of tiger farming and trade in Vietnam, the first such in- depth look at the illegal trade and the inner workings of tiger farms in this country, working in close partnership with law enforcement agencies at the provincial and national level. A year later, a confidential investigation report was produced highlighting the initial results of the year-long investigation. Amongst the findings were direct links between some tiger farms and commercial trade,as well as identifying a number of key figures in the tiger trade, and components of the trade network that smuggles tigers in from Laos to Vietnam on a regular basis.

Tiger Intelligence File
• Tiger farming: There are 100 known tigers in captivity in Vietnam. 81 are kept on eight private farms,the remaining tigers are at government-supported zoos and rescue centers (ENV March 2011).

• Since 2005, there have been 24 reported seizures of frozen, whole or cut up, tigers, tiger bones, or in one case, live tigers. A total of 41 tigers have been confiscated from these seizures (March 2011).

• ENV has documented a total of 134 tiger cases since 2005 including mounted tigers and all forms ofproducts and parts, as well as advertising of tiger products (ENV Database November 2010).

• At least three tiger farms are reported to be involved in commercial trade of tigers raised on these farms in direct violation of the law. Evidence is lacking from other farms, but tigers known to have died at these farms have been processed to make tiger bone TCM.

• Most tigers smuggled into Vietnam are sold to Vietnamese consumers, not smuggled into China.

• The ENV investigation resulted in the identification of a list of major criminals involved in illegal tigertrade and smuggling into Vietnam, including several key figures suspected to be major players behind much of the illegal tiger trade into Vietnam.

• Tiger bone glue is the primary tiger product in demand by Vietnamese consumers. It is made fromtiger bone mixed with the bones from other species, and sold at roughly $900-$1200 per 100 grams.

• The cost of raising a tiger in captivity to an age that it can be sold is approximately $3,455 USD. The value of this same tiger sold in the form of tiger bone TCM is approximately $20,000 USD (2010). **Based prices and estimates provided by tiger farmers and tiger bone TCM brokers (2010).

ReferenceENV’s Summary of Tiger trade investigation findings http://envietnam.org/library/Resource%20and%20Publication/Tiger%20summary%20%28ENfinal;%2013%20March%202010%29.pdf

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Wildlife law enforcers build skills to combat illegal wildlife trade

Law enforcers are being trained this week on how to identify threatened reptile species and familiarize themselves with international wildlife protection policies in an effort to combat illegal wildlife trade in the ASEAN region.

The workshop will be led by Vietnamese trainers who attended a “Training of Trainers” for members of the ten ASEAN nations last month in Malaysia , as part of a project funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund and Ministry of the Environment, Japan under the East and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Information Initiative (ESABII). The project seeks to involve and enhance the capabilities of ASEAN and neighbouring countries in the understanding and application of taxonomic knowledge and wildlife trade regulations.

Viet Nam is the first country in the region to be selected to organize its own CITES and species identification course, conducted completely by national trainers.

The three-day course will equip key staff working in land and air ports in southern Viet Nam with basic knowledge of the wildlife trade in Southeast Asia, international regulations governing the trade, such as CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), and relevant national laws. Participants will also be trained to identify threatened reptile species that are commonly traded in the region during an interactive session at the Saigon Zoo.

Illegal wildlife trade has been identified as one of the greatest threats to the region’s biodiversity. In his opening speech, Dr Ha Cong Tuan, Deputy Director of Viet Nam ’s Directorate of Forestry, said: “This training will help equip law enforcers who are working to control international wildlife trade with the skills to more effectively protect and sustainably use our precious natural resources.”

Mr. Manop Lauprasert, Senior Officer of the ASEAN-Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN) Program Coordination Unit, which is supporting the training, added “Criminal networks are taking advantage of limited enforcement capacity at land, sea and airports across the region. Training initiatives such as this will help to close these gaps, and prevent wildlife from being smuggled across international borders. The ASEAN WEN PCU is encouraged to see countries take such important steps to end the illegal wildlife trade”.

There is increasing recognition that wildlife trade, both legal and illegal, is becoming more common at international ports, therefore capacity building for airport and land port staff plays an important role in stopping wildlife trafficking.

Regional Director of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia , Dr. William Schaedla said, “This course is not only helping to impart the necessary knowledge and skills to front line enforcement officers and other key stakeholders, but also supporting Vietnamese officials to continue to lead such capacity building initiatives.”

The training course will be conducted in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City by the Viet Nam CITES Management Authority, Biodiversity Conservation Agency and Natural Museum with support from TRAFFIC Southeast Asia , Ministry of the Environment of Japan, and ASEAN-WEN.

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Snow Leopards

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Poor tiger criminals

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38767619@N05/3580319652/

In November an interesting case was put forward involving two dead tigers in a freezer at a tiger farm in Thanh Hoa province. The owner of the farm is the same “farmer” that
has been linked to several major seizures of frozen tigers in Hanoi in recent years, and is also the same man who has been arrested once before trying to smuggle wildlife from Tanzania. It should be further noted that this farmer obtained all of his original tigers illegally from the trade in direct violation of the law.

However, the Thanh Hoa tiger farmer appears to have gained the sympathy of provincial authorities according to interviews in the press. Rather than simply applying the law, authorities reportedly ponder whether the “poor farmer” should be compensated for his dead tigers.

Are we expected to feel sorry for the rich illegal tiger farmer (businessman) for the expenses he has incurred raising tigers that he should not have in the first place? Would not selling tigers or their parts violate the ban on the commercial trade of fully protected species like tigers?

In fact, such a sale would violate the law and would undermine Vietnam's international commitment to protect tigers, reinforced during the November tiger summit in St. Petersburg, where range state leaders and senior government officials met and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the world's last tigers.

ENV joins most of the Vietnamese law enforcement community in strictly opposing the sale of tigers, their parts and products, whether confiscated from trade or originating at farms. Opening the door to commercial trade of tigers and their products will undermine law enforcement efforts, and permit people like the Thanh Hoa tiger farmer to generate income from both his captive tigers and those potentially smuggled through his farm into the trade.

Back in 2007, two dead tigers discovered at this same Thanh Hoa farm were publicly incinerated following a decision by provincial authorities. The incineration of the remains of these tigers eliminated any possibility of the farmer profiting from the death of his tigers.

More recently in Nghe An, provincial authorities demonstrated leadership in efforts to stop illegal tiger trade in a case involving the confiscation of one frozen tiger, tiger


To read the rest of this report from the "Education for Nature - Vietnam" along with other interesting articles please click HERE

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Snow Leopards

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Happy New Year from Zoo News Digest

The 3rd February 2011 ushers in the first day of the Chinese New Year. It is the year of the Rabbit (unless you are in Vietnam where it is the year of the Cat). Out goes the Year of the Tiger.

I am posting this out on the 2nd of February just in case you are a purist and believe that the new day starts at 11 pm tonight.

And sadly, out goes the year of the Tiger.

I wonder though did we actually get anywhere with Tigers? There were endless meetings, lots of talk, reams of documents, lots of promised commitment, there were pats on the back and awards given out.

What though was actually done?

We have another chance to get things right. The Tiger is a Cat after all. Let us ignore the Chinese horoscope this year and stick with the Vietnamese one. Let us actually do something for the Tigers. Action. Protect the forests and all within will be protected. Forget about doubling numbers...simply protect the forests.

We have all been moaning on about Indonesia and their destruction of the forests. No Tigers there I will grant you but there is in Malaysia. Today we learn that:

"New satellite imagery showed Malaysia was destroying forests more than three times faster than all of Asia combined, and its carbon-rich peat soils of the Sarawak coast were being stripped even faster, according to a study released Tuesday"

This is Horrific!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not a good start to my year.

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Snow Leopards

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Tiger Paste For Sale

Panthera tigris - Laos Zoo

Photo by: Jonas Livet

Courtesy: http://www.leszoosdanslemonde.com/

It is scarcely credible that just days after the World Tiger Summit that Vietnam is allowing the auction of Tiger Paste. Tiger Paste? You have probably never heard of it and you really don't want an explanation as to how it is manufactured.

Regardless, 'Tiger Paste' is a popular product in some quarters and is sold for as much as $10,000 for a kilogram. The Vietnamese paste was that which had quite rightly been confiscated from dealers in animal products. It should then have been destroyed and not destined for auction on the open market.

Very stupidly Thanh Hoa Province People's Committee permitted agencies to auction 2.8 Kilograms of Tiger Paste at the starting price of $2,500 per Kilo.

Sadly this auction is not illegal. Though the sale of tiger parts is illegal in Vietnam the law does allow dealing for health purposes (similar to Tiger Bone Wine in China). This loophole in the law needs to be stitched tightly closed and quickly. It would not take much thought from an evil genius to take full advantage of this idiocy and have a ready market.

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Vietnam cannot have both Bears and bear bile

Photo by: Jonas LivetHelarctos malayanus - Zoo Taiping & Night Safari

Courteousy: http://www.leszoosdanslemonde.com/

Twenty-two percent of Vietnamese people said that they have used bear bile in the past, according to the findings of the study by Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV) on attitudes associated with bear bile use in Vietnam .

A total of 3,032 people were surveyed in three cities in Vietnam : Hanoi (north), Da Nang (central) and Ho Chi Minh City (south). The participants were randomly selected and interviewed by telephone to analyze the motivation behind bear bile consumption and evaluate demographic differences between respondents in their attitudes toward the use of bear bile.

The survey results suggested that:

· Bear bile is considered as a magic medicine that can cure a range of health problems including muscle complaints, bruises, digestive problems or even cancer. Bear bile is mainly used to treat specific health problems (73%). Bear bile is also used for general health improvement (24%) and entertainment purposes (14%).

· Hanoi has a much higher percentage of bear bile users than Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City . Thirty-five percent of survey participants in Hanoi claimed that they have used bear bile in the past, while only 16% of those in Ho Chi Minh City and 15% in Da Nang said that they have used bear bile.

· The percentage of men using bear bile is higher than the percentage of women in all three cities. Almost 1/3 of all male survey participants (29%) claimed to have consumed bear bile in the past compared to 17% of all women surveyed.

· People with higher education levels (college degree or higher) are more likely to use bear bile than people with lower education levels (high schools or lower levels). Bear bile consumption also rises with age and the use of bear bile is different between age groups.

Vietnam is home to two species of bears, the Asiatic Black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and the Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus). Both species are being pushed to the edge of extinction, mainly due the illegal hunting and trade to support the demand for bear bile used as a traditional form of medicine. Bears are usually captured as cubs in the wild and sold to bear farms where they are raised and used to extract bile from the gall bladder. Currently, there are about 3,500 bears in farms in Vietnam , most of which originated from the wild.

“ Vietnam ’s bears are in trouble,” says Ms. Vu Thi Quyen, founding director and the author of the report. “Urgent and tough measures are needed to put an end to bear farming and trade in Vietnam .”

Based on the findings from this study, ENV recommends following actions:

· A long-term and sustained awareness campaign must be carried out in order to dispel the belief that bear bile is a form of magic medicine. The campaign should promote medical alternatives to bear bile (both herbal and western medicine) and highlight its perceived ineffectiveness as reported by former users.

· Stronger laws and more effective law enforcement are critical to efforts to phase out bear farming and eliminating bear bile consumption. All unregistered bears discovered by authorities should be confiscated and the owners appropriately punished.

· Studies should be carried out to identify major wild populations of bears in Vietnam where protection and recovery efforts should be prioritized; an analysis of commercial farming of bears and other endangered species and its impact on species conservation should be conducted.

The results of ENV’s study will help authorities and conservation organizations to develop more effective measures to address bear bile consumption and trade in Vietnam and enhance protection for what may be Vietnam ’s last remaining bears in the wild.

“We need to face a tough choice,” says Ms. Quyen, “ Vietnam can’t have wild bears and bear bile too.”

The full results of the study have been compiled in a report, An Analysis of Attitudes and Bear Bile Use in Vietnam (Vietnamese and English version). ENV wishes to thank the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) for supporting this important study.

For further info Contact person:
Tran Viet Hung
Communication and Public Awareness Manager
Education for Nature – Viet Nam (ENV)
Email: viethung.env@gmail.com
Phone: +84 4 35148850
Mobile: +84 9 78462159

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Poachers Cut Tails Off Living Elephants

The Elephants Tail is its natural fly swat, something to keep the irritating bugs away, to flick at an itch or irritation. In good condition an elephants tail be tipped with a bush of coarse thick hairs of up to two feet long.

Something To Hang On To

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewstevens/101457803/

Elephant Hair is reputed to bring good luck and was once fairly common in the form of bracelets and rings. Some elephant keepers still wear these, made up from the naturally discarded hairs they find whilst cleaning up. Snipping a couple of hairs off could, I suppose, be a forgiveable sin, but to cut the tail tip from a living animal is a cruel and barbarous crime.

This occurred this week to two tame, trekking elephants in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong in Vietnam. Each animal had some 30 cm lopped off their tails under the cover of darkness.

Though the animals are said to be okay they have suffered the pain and indignity of losing their tails. They will not grow again.

Elephants With Tails Cut Off

Photo: Tuoi Tre

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Wildlife Seizure in Da Lat

The Lam Dong Forest Protection Department (FPD) today led an enforcement campaign targeting restaurants illegally selling wildlife in Da Lat.

FPD Rangers seize products from a restaurant

The campaign brought together over 100 officers from across the province in a coordinated effort against illegal wildlife networks operating in the city. Enforcement teams swept through restaurants suspected of illegally trading wildlife, searching for wildlife violations and seizing and arresting suspects along the way in the biggest coordinated campaign the province has ever seen.

Civets

The campaign was developed with the support of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), National Environmental Police, Dr Mai The Bay and with the support from the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).

The campaign follows recent surveys in Da Lat city that found 44 restaurants and 33 TCM shops (representing 68% restaurants and 21% TCM shop visited) serving wildlife, at potentially very high quantities.

Following the campaign, Lam Dong agencies seized over 300kg of wildlife including meat from wild pigs, civets, pangolins, porcupine, mouse deer, monitor lizard, bear paws, bamboo rats, snakes, sambar and skins from black-shanked duoc langurs, clouded leopard, short-clawed otter, serow, muntjac, leopard cat, flying squirrel, common palm civet, binturong, and small indian civet.

300kg of wildlife seized

This is the largest seizure ever made in a campaign in Lam Dong and investigations into the source of this wildlife and the trade networks supplying it are underway.

Douc Langurs and meat seized

Mr Tran Thanh Binh, Head of Lam Dong FPD said: “The detection and prosecution of restaurants illegally serving wildlife is a critical step in the battle for wildlife conservation in Vietnam”. He added “The campaign today is our warning shot to illegal wildlife traders that Lam Dong province will not condone wildlife violators anymore.”

Serow and more

Dr Scott Roberton, WCS Country Representative for Vietnam said “WCS commends the strong and decisive actions of Lam Dong province on tackling wildlife trade in Da Lat City and hopes these seizures will be followed up with investigations to identify and prosecute the illegal traders behind the restaurants. The future of wildlife in Vietnam hangs in the balance, but with more agencies showing a strong commitment like Lam Dong FPD, things could change for the better very quickly”

WCS staff help identify wildlife seizure

For more information including more photos of the seizure please contact:

Tran Xuan Viet, WCS Program officer
0934 472999, txviet@wcs.org
Mr Tran Thanh Binh, Head, Lam Dong FPD
0913 736 822

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“Year of the Tiger” – A time to take action for tigers

Hanoi, March 15th, 2010 – Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV) urged the Vietnamese public to take action to protect the world’s remaining tigers at a press conference today in Hanoi, releasing the preliminary findings of a twelve-month investigation of the tiger trade in Vietnam by ENV.

 

 

 

“Our findings suggest a growth of consumer demand for tiger bone traditional medicine (TM) here in Vietnam , particularly amongst the wealthy,” says Nguyen Thi Van Anh, ENV’s Wildlife Trade Program Coordinator. “Our demand for tiger bone medicine is contributing to the loss of tigers, not just here in our own country, but also across the species’ native range.”

 

Van Anh said the investigation revealed links between some tiger farms in Vietnam and illegal trade and provided significant insight into the mechanics of the trade, including the smuggling of tigers across borders and potential criminal networks operating in Vietnam that may be responsible for much of the tiger trade.

 

 

 

According to a recent report by WWF, scientists estimate that there are only about 30 tigers left in the wild in Vietnam . Poaching, shrinking habitat, and reduction of prey base are the major reasons leading to the decline.

 

 

 

Since 2005, there have been 16 documented seizures of tigers in trade involving 29 animals. ENV believes that this is only a small fraction of the number of tigers that are illegally sourced either from farms in Vietnam or smuggled into Vietnam each year to produce “tiger bone glue”, a form of traditional medicine believed to strengthen bones, increase vitality, and treat a range of other ailments.

 

 

 

The investigation, carried out in cooperation with investigators from several government agencies, profiled six known private businesses keeping live tigers and two state zoos. Interviews were conducted with a range of people knowledgeable about the trade, including suspects involved in smuggling cases, tiger bone glue makers, traditional medicine shop owners, and informants.

 

 

 

Some of our key findings in the tiger trade investigation include:

 

 

 

• Since 2006, ENV’s Wildlife Crime Unit has documented 104 crimes involving tigers. Sixteen of these cases involved seizures of tigers including frozen or unfrozen remains, or tiger bones. One incident involved live tigers.

 

 

• The tiger trade in Vietnam is specifically focused on supplying tigers for tiger bone TM production. Tiger TM products are intended for Vietnamese consumers, not exported.

 

 

• Consumers obtain tiger bone glue through personal contacts with brokers, witnessing the event to assure authenticity of the product, and less often purchasing products over the counter.

 

 

• Three of six of registered tiger farms are suspected of being involved in illegal tiger trade activities.

 

 

• Of 29 tigers seized in trade, most appear to have originated abroad from places such as tiger farms in Laos .

 

 

“While we celebrate the many successes of the Environmental Police in investigating and seizing tigers in trade, we recognize the need for the government to strengthen monitoring of tiger farms in Vietnam and strongly recommend that farms that are engaged in illegal activities be immediately closed,” says Van Anh.

 

 

 

Van Anh went on to highlight the need for Vietnam to develop more effective cooperation between law enforcement counterparts across borders. “The tiger trade is a regional, not just a national crisis, involving many countries,” says Van Anh. “Our law enforcement agencies need to work with counterparts in Laos , Cambodia , Thailand and other countries with clear links in the trade to identify and prosecute the kingpins that control and finance the illegal trade.”

 

 

 

ENV plans to produce a confidential report to key law enforcement agencies and decision-makers in early May that will provide a more detailed review of the investigation’s findings.

 

 

 

ENV wishes to thank The Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for supporting our efforts to end tiger consumption and trade in Vietnam . We would also like to thank the Melia Hotel of Hanoi for providing the venue for ENV to meet journalists and announce the findings of our investigation.

__________________________________________________________________

 

About Education for Nature - Vietnam

 

Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV) was established in 2000 as Vietnam ’s first non-governmental organization focused on conservation of nature and the environment. Our mission is to foster greater understanding amongst the Vietnamese public about environmental issues of local, national and global significance, ranging from protection of wildlife and natural ecosystems to climate change. We employ creative and innovative strategies to influence attitudes and behavior, not only highlighting the need to protect Vietnam’s rich natural heritage and the living world around us, but also encouraging greater public participation in achieving this important and challenging task.

 

 

 

Link to "Tiger summary" on ENV website: http://www.envietnam.org/library/Press%20Release/Tiger%20summary%20(ENfinal;%2013%20March%202010).pdf

 

For further information please contact : Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Tel. (04) 3514-8850 (vananh.env@gmail.com)

Dolphin Delivers During Show

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/philblackburn/3725370/

Dolphin gives birth while performing

A 17-year-old dolphin named Hindri gave birth to her first calf while performing at the Suoi Tien Tourist Area in Ho Chi Minh City on January 23.



Jimmy Sukat, the dolphin’s Indonesian trainer, said Hindri was showing signs of fatigue and didn’t want to perform in the morning.




Around 3 pm, the tail of a baby dolphin was spotted coming out of Hindri and by 6 pm the calf was fully born, he said, adding that dolphins are usually pregnant for 13 months before giving birth.



As there are no veterinarians with dolphin expertise in Vietnam, the deputy director of Suoi Tien Tourist Area, Doan Minh Tuan, said he will invite experts from Indonesia to examine and care for Hindri and her baby.



Hindri is one of four performing dolphins imported from

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