[wildtrade] Weekly bulletin E381

[ENV Communication]

 E381 September 3, 2010

 

Top News

 

Gia Lai and Quang Ninh: Wild animals confiscated

On August 26, the Gia Lai Forest Protection Department (FPD) reported that a car traveling from Kon Tum City to Ho Chi Minh City was intercepted while illegally transporting 11 common palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and 40 wild pigs (Sus scrofa), weighing a total of 500kg. The FPD ordered the driver to stop the vehicle but he instead sped up and escaped. The driver and passenger, both residents of Kon Tum City, were later arrested by Chu Puh police in coordination with the local FPD.

 

On August 24, a truck illegally transporting 325 elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongate) and 285 kg of clouded monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) was seized by the Quang Ninh Traffic Police. The driver from Ha Long City was found to be the owner of the animals but did not have the relevant legal papers. He subsequently confessed to transporting the animals to Mong Cai City for later consumption.

(Vietnamese version)

Gia Lai: Bat vu van chuyen trai phep so luong lon thu rung

Thu giu 339kg rua vang

 

Thanh Hoa: Three people punished for illegal trade of wildlife

On August 28, the Thanh Hoa People's Committee stated that three offenders had been given a total administrative fine of 90 million VND for the illegal transportation of wildlife. A man residing in Phu Yen province received a 40 million VND fine for smuggling rare timber, while two others, one from Cao Bang province and another from Tien Giang province, were fined a total of 50 million VND for the illegal trade of dried bones from the long-tailed macaca (Macaca fascicularis) and common rat snake (Ptyas mucosus).

(Vietnamese version)

Thanh Hoa: Xu phat 3 doi tuong buon ban lam san, dong vat hoang da

 

Ha Tinh: Pangolins smuggled through border gate

Because only a few pangolins remain in Vietnam and fetch high prices on the black market, many are smuggled from Laos into Vietnam through the Cau Treo border gate by traders, meeting the demand for food in restaurants. The Cau Treo border gate is a well-known hot spot of wildlife trade in Vietnam.  

 

On August 30, an interview was conducted with the Head of the Ha Tinh FPD and Deputy Director of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department about the illegal trade of pangolins at the border gate. When asked about the lack of response by authorities to the trade, he responded that it was nonsense, claiming that they knew nothing about the situation. 

 

Pangolins are categorized as a rare and endangered species and are protected under Vietnamese law.

(Vietnamese version)

Te te.qua Cau Treo

Noi bao ke la vo van

 

Dak Lak: Forest rangers attacked by poacher

On August 28, a man identified as a local resident attacked and injured two rangers from Yok Don National Park after being discovered transporting rare and precious timer on his motorbike without legal papers. He was later arrested by district police.

 

Also in Yok Don National Park, over 20m3 of rare and precious timber was seized in just one week, including the confiscation of two trucks illegally transporting timber on August 20, by the Yok Don National Park FPD.

(Vietnamese version)

 

Lam Dong: Private zoo suspected of illegally holding wild animals

On August 26, the Lam Dong FPD led an enforcement campaign targeting restaurants illegally selling wildlife in Da Lat City and seized over 300kg of wildlife at five restaurants. One restaurant was owned by a local resident who also manages a private zoo, recently inspected by the Lam Dong FPD and believed to be an important link in the wildlife smuggling chain. Evidence suggests that animals can be bought from the zoo, and transferred in and out without registration, making illegal trade even easier.

(Vietnamese version)

Mot so thu bi nghi chua dong vat hoang da trai phep

 

Dak Lak: Public speak out against punishment given to FPD officer 

Recent public disgruntlement over punishment given to an FPD officer from Yok Don National Park has begun to emerge. On June 28, the officer was dismissed from all Party duties by the Buon Don Party Committee. The officer is well known amongst local supporters for being extremely active in his forest protection duties, and is thought to have been punished for criticizing local authorities for their irresponsible forest management practices. 

(Vietnamese version)

Vu ky luat can bo Vuon quoc gia Yok Don: Huyen uy Buon Don co tinh suy dien, ap dat vo ly

 

Dak Nong: Ranger arrested while protecting forest

Locals are questioning the fairness of authorities after a ranger was arrested for injuring a poacher while trying to protect forest area managed by the Truong Xuan Company  during an attack by 50 armed poachers in July. The poachers attacked the Forest Protection Office, wounding two rangers, tying up and beating seven others, and destroying public property. Many rangers have resigned in response, stating that authorities are doing nothing to protect them against threats and attacks by poachers.

(Vietnamese version)

Do mau giu rung de bi bat?

 

ENV's activities

 

Thua Thien - Hue: Local Wildlife Protection Clubs established

On August 25, the Vietnamese Youth Action for Wildlife club was launched in Thua Thien - Hue province, yet another in the ENV Volunteer Network. The club was established to assist ENV's Wildlife Crime Unit in reporting and monitoring wildlife trade activities, and to contribute to stopping the illegal trade of wildlife. Following the launch, club members participated in monitoring local business establishments.

 

Clubs throughout major cities in Vietnam are being established by ENV for improved recruitment, to encourage more action amongst volunteers, and ensure better local coordination of wildlife crime monitoring. In the last two months, clubs were also established in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. The clubs are locally run and receive support in the way of training, resources, and assistance based on the activeness of their members. ENV also meets regularly with the clubs and provides club leaders with monthly lists of business establishments requiring compliance monitoring. 

 

Hanoi: Bear event at Phuc Tho town (former Ha Tay province)

On August 26, Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV) carried out a Bear Protection Event at Phuc Tho Town of former Ha Tay province, famous for its many bear farms and sale of bear bile. During the event, films on bear bile extraction were aired, information boards displayed about bear species in Vietnam, and many publications handed out to local residents. Locals still know very little about the situation and do not fully understand problems related to bear farms, while local bear farmers keep up-to-date with relevant laws. Hundreds of pledges not to use bear bile and bear products were collected by ENV staff at the exhibition.

Link for further information and photos of the event

http://envietnam.org/library/Sub%20parts%20of%20news-activities/Bear%20campaign%20in%20Phuc%20Tho%20EN%20(Aug,31,2010)final.pdf

 

Stay up to date with ENV on Facebook

 

Join ENV's Facebook Group

The ENV team regularly updates our Facebook group with wildlife crime news, interesting cases and information about our other work. Click on this link to join our group and help save Vietnam's wildlife: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47162312016

 



 

Please note:  Past bulletins can be found on ENV's website www.envietnam.org

    

Tong Thu Huong
Communications Officer                                           
Education for Nature - Vietnam 
No. 5, Lane 192 Thai Thinh, Dong Da District
Hanoi, Vietnam 
Phone/fax: +84 4 3514-8850 
E-mail: env at fpt.vn  
www.envietnam.org  (English) 
www.thiennhien.org  (Vietnamese) 
www.savingvietnamswildlife.org  (English wildlife trade website)

 

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