Đồng Nai says “no” to illegal use of wildlife

The workshop to kick off a series of activities under the theme of “Đồng Nai Province says ‘no’ to the illegal use of wildlife” on August 23. VNA/VNS Photo

ĐỒNG NAI – A workshop to kick off a series of activities under the theme “Đồng Nai Province says ‘no’ to the illegal use of wildlife” was jointly held by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Wildlife Conservation Centre in Việt Nam at the Cát Tiên National Park in the southern locality on August 23.

The event aims to strengthen law enforcement and inter-agency coordination in combating crimes related to the trafficking and poaching of wild animals.

According to Lê Văn Gọi, vice director of the department, with its large area of natural forests, Đồng Nai boasts the richest biodiversity in the Southeastern region. Wildlife species primarily inhabit the Cát Tiên National Park and the Đồng Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, which are home to 110 and 140 rare and endangered species, respectively.

In recent years, relevant units in Đồng Nai have excelled in protecting wildlife habitats, effectively preventing crimes against wildlife. They have successfully conserved various species, particularly Asian elephants and black-shanked douc langurs, and monitored endangered and rare species through camera trapping. Projects to restore habitats by providing drinking water and salt licks for wild animals were implemented, while a rescue centre for bears and primates was established.

At the workshop, the department urged relevant agencies to collaborate in strengthening law enforcement to combat wildlife crimes; conduct campaigns to raise awareness and responsibility among food service businesses regarding the prohibition of illegal hunting, trading, and use of wild animals; and promote the development of sustainable livelihoods for communities living near forests to minimise illegal human impact on forested areas.

Since 2020, local forest rangers have handled ninety-five administrative and criminal cases involving wildlife law violations, resulting in the confiscation of 1,200 animals and over 43 kilogrammes of various wild animals. Đồng Nai has also received, cared for, rescued, and released thousands of wild animals back into their natural habitats. VNS