Vietnam NGO Proposes Govt Ban Commercial Breeding of Wildlife Species

The conservation NGO Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) has recently proposed the government prohibit all commercial breeding and trading of wild animals in Vietnam as the rampant overexploitation will drive many endangered species to the verge of extinction, state media reported July 27. The proposal was made by ENV Deputy Director Bui Thi Ha at a wildlife breeding press conference held in Hanoi on July 27. The rising illegal trade in wild animals has been a major factor destroying the environment and biodiversity in Vietnam. The last individual Java rhino in the country was killed by poachers for its horns in 2010. Other precious animals like tigers, elephants, crocodiles, pangolins and primates are also on the brink of extinction. While the number of endangered animals is dwindling every day, some private organizations and individuals are expressing their interest in breeding animals commercially. They said that legalization of wildlife breeding will ease up the pressure from hunting wild animals, while promoting genetic conservation. According to the ENV, breeding practices are not for conservation and natural reserves need a stable capital to protect endangered species. Commercial breeding centers will not invest in sufficient infrastructure and techniques to take care of the animals as profits are their overriding priority. The existence of both legal and illegal at-risk animal products will be a challenge for law enforcement as there is an increasing number of violators. The ENV said that breeding is acceptable when there is scientific evidence confirming that the practice does not affect wildlife populations. However, for now commercial breeding of rare animals must be proscribed. (VietnamPlus July 27)