The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Forest Protection Department Zone 4, under Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), are running a training course on combating ivory and wildlife trafficking, in Buon Ma Thuot city of the Central Highlands Dak Lak province on December 25-27, local media reported. The program features forest rangers, environmental police, and customs force, from border provinces, namely Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Kon Tum, and Binh Phuoc. The participants are provided with insight about wildlife trafficking situation worldwide, and in Vietnam and Dak Lak province in particular, smuggling tricks, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the convention enforcement in the country, and relevant documents. Within the course, the participants discuss challenges to law enforcement in localities and share experience in handling wildlife smuggling cases. Dak Lak is home to the largest number of wild and tame elephants in Vietnam, with five wild herds of 80-100 individuals, and 45 tame ones. (Thuong Hieu & Cong Luan, thuonghieucongluan, daidoanket)
