Report wildlife crime in Vietnam
Vietnamese news on vnexpress.net reports that three days ago Hanoi police exposed a major wildlife trafficking case. Drawing on intelligence, they intercepted a suspicious motorbike and discovered 23 king cobras hidden in a foam box.
The London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade was held yesterday with the participation of leaders and delegates from 46 nations, including Vietnam, and concluded with a declaration to combat illegal wildlife trade.
The United States have announced a National Strategy which establishes guiding principles for the USA’s efforts in tackling the illegal trade in wildlife.
Vietnamese news on xahoi.com.vn reports that on January 8, Hanoi Customs at Noi Bai international airport and local police discovered a major wildlife trafficking case. While checking parcels of cigarettes and seeds in the flight from Russia to Vietnam, they found 40 kilograms of wildlife bones, suspected to be from tigers. The bones were confiscated for further investigation.
According to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs, a total of 1,004 South African rhinos were killed for their horns in 2013, making it the worst year so far for illegal rhino poaching in the country.
Vietnamese news on vnexpress.net reports that the Dallas Safari Club auctioned off a black rhino hunting permit in Namibia for $350,000. According to the club, the permit only allows the purchaser to hunt an older rhino that is no longer able to breed, and is no longer contributing to the growth of the population.
Artist Trung Nghia has created 21 wildlife pictures with varied materials such as fire, smoke and matches on thick paper or foam, for the exhibition “Call of the mountain forest”, held last week in Ho Chi Minh City. Visitors to the show had the opportunity to observe the beauty of wildlife in a new way, which also helps to increase their awareness of and interest in wildlife protection.
In December, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the 3rd of March – the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – as World Wildlife Day.
As the New Year approaches, Vietnamese wildlife conservation organizations and individuals are glad to receive good news from the Government. After gathering comments and feedback from wildlife experts, relevant authorities and organizations (including ENV) at a consultation workshop, last week the Vietnam Centre Committee for Propaganda and Education (CCPE) issued Guideline 98-HD/BTGTW, with the aim of bringing the government’s policies on wildlife and wild plant protection to life.
Decree 157/2013/ND-CP, which replaces Decree 99/2009/ND-CP on administrative sanctions in forest management, takes effect today with some notable provisions.