During WAR’s survey in the forest of Ba To District, QuangNgai Province in May and June 2012, a new forest skink species of the genus Sphenomorphus was described. The species is named as Shea Forest Skink (English), Thằn lằn phê-nô shea(Vietnamese), and Sphenomorphussheai Nguyen (Latin name).  The species was named after an Australian scientist, PhD. Glenn Shea who has great contributions to skink researches in Asia Pacific. 

This species is known only from QuangNgai Province.  With the description of Bato Forest Skink, a total of 12 species of Sphenomorphus are currently known in Vietnam.The species was discovered by Nguyen Quang Truong, a biologist from the Institute of Ecologial and Biological Resouces (IEEBR), and WAR’s experts.  The survey site is located in a transitional area between the Kon Tum Plateau and the lowlands. The sample was collected during the day among leaf litter on the ground of secondary forest on hill slopes. 

The new species was announced on Zootaxa Magazine, New Zealand (Issue 3734, November 2013). Please contact WAR for this article. 

Phu Quoc Island, dated 6 October 2013 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) and Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area (MPA) organised a parade to raise awareness of Dugong and Endangered Marine Creatures at Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island. The parade aimed to get attention of leaders and local people to protection of Dugong and other endangered marine creatures.Before the parade a meeting was organised at Duong Dong Culture House so that local leaders, local people, tourists and students were aware of the event and could participate in the parade. Approximately 400 people participated including leaders of local authorities on Phu Quoc Island, leaders and staff of Phu Quoc MPA, secondary school students, local people, tourists, WAR staff and leaders, and media. At the meeting prior to the parade, participants were educated regarding the critical situation of Dugong (Dugong dugon) in Vietnam, especially on Phu Quoc Island. They were also introduced ways to join WAR save Dugong in the future on the Island. All leaders and participants also showed commitment to the Protection of Dugong and endangered marine creatures by signing their names on banners and flags which were then paraded through Duong Dong Town.

Despite rain, over 90 people took part and paraded through the main streets of Duong Dong Town carrying messages and banners regarding the Protection of Dugong and endangered marine creatures on parading vehicles and motorbikes. The parade and its message of Dugong Protection got much attention from locals and tourists alike who were on Phu Quoc Island on the day. The parade is one activity of a Project entitled “Conservation of Dugong and Biodiversity of Phu Quoc and Tho Chu Islands” conducted by WAR and Phu Quoc MPA for the period of 2013 to 2015. The Project aims to educate children and local people on conservation of Dugong and endangered marine creatures, and to provide data on marine biodiversity of the area. During this year, approximately 2200 secondary school students and teachers will learn about Dugong and endangered marine creatures through a series of communications and educational activities such as blue clubs, quiz shows, games, and practical activities such as beach cleaning days, marine interpretation field trips, and junior communicators. Two communes will also be targeted in the project. Several surveys are being conducted including a survey on Dugong consumption and exploitation, sea snake survey, and Dugong and biodiversity survey. Results of those surveys will be revealed soon. At the parade, Mr. Nguyen Vu Khoi, WAR’s CEO emphasised that “The project is one of our efforts to save Dugong and endangered marine creatures on this beautiful Phu Quoc Island. The project’s success very much depends on strong co-opporation and attention among different oranisations and every single person who lives on or is visiting Phu Quoc Island. We hope that everyone will take practical action to save the Dugong before its too late. Saving Dugong and endangered marine creatures is saving our beautiful Phu Quoc Island.”  Please see some photos of the parade here, and full press release here.

Ho Chi Minh City dated 26 September 2013 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) co-operated with the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Department of Education and Training (DOET) and the HCMC Forest Protection Department (FPD) to start the SOS Programmefor the period 2013 – 2014 at Dong Khoi Secondary School, Tan Phu District, HCMC. Focusing on the Asian Elephant, the Ceremony called for the participants and the public to take part in wildlife protection, especially Asian Elephant conservation.Attended the Ceremony were more than 1,200 people including leaders of HCMC DOET andFPD, representatives from all district DOETs of the City, secondary school administrators, teachers and students from Dong Khoi Secondary School, representatives of governmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, consulates, WAR staff, volunteer students from different universities in HCMC and local media.

 At the Ceremony, the SOS Programme for school year 2013-2014 was revealed. Beside the SOS Travelling Exhibition launched in December 2011, the SOS Programme includes two new components these are visiting Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station (WRS) and integrating wildlife education into the official curriculum of Biology for Grade 7. At the Ceremony, participants were excited by a play titled “What do you know about elephants?” performed by SOS volunteer students. The Head of the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve’s FPD shared his practical experience of the Asian Elephant which informed all participants about the critical situation of the Asian Elephant in Vietnam. After that, all participants worked together to complete the last wall of the SOS Tent and got it ready for this school year. An impressive and colorful painting of wild Asian Elephants measuring 14m2 was painted on the last tent’s wall. By taking part in completing the painting on the SOS wall, all participants committed to “Say NO to illegal wildlife products” and “Take part in protecting a natural masterpiece, the Asian Elephant”.Before leaving the Ceremony, all participants visited the SOS Travelling exhibition with the new painted wall. According to Mr. Nguyen HoaiChuong, Vice Director of HCMC DOET, “The SOS Travelling Exhibition launched at the end of 2011 has received numerous positive feedbacks from secondary school students and teachers in HCMC.Due to such an effective and meaningful impact the,HCMC DOET committedto carry on their collaboration and supportfor WARandHCMC FPD to carry out two more activities including visitingCu ChiWRSandintegrating wildlife education into Biology of grade 7; the aim of which is to strengthen educational activities for students in saving wildlifefromillegalconsumption.” Mr. Nguyen Vu Khoi, WAR’s CEOexpressed that “WAR recently has co-operated with different functional bodies to deal with numerous wildlife crime cases which were reported by both students and local people. This fact proves that educating children in the SOS Programme is the right approach in order to mitigate illegal wildlife product consumption. WAR is looking forward to further attention and stronger cooperationamongstagencies and local peoplein educatingthe younger generation on wildlife protection, as well as preventingand confiscatingwildlife in crime cases.” In this school year, it is expected that approximately 30,000 secondary school students aged 12-15 years old will enjoy the SOS Travelling Tent, about 1,000 secondary school students and teachers from Tan Phu, Tan Binh, Binh Tan and Go Vap Districts will visit Cu Chi WRS and all grade 7 children of BinhThanh District will learn more about wildlife in their official curriculum. 

Please see some photos of the Ceremony here, and full press release here.

During this quarter seven individual Asian Small-clawed Otters (Aonyx cinerea) were born at Cu Chi WRS in June, July and September.  All three mothers became pregnant while at Cu Chi WRS.

  The father of the three otters born in September was handed over to Cu Chi WRS by a local in early 2012.  The mother was rescued in Octerber 2010 when it was small by HCMC FPD and Police. 

The other four otters born in June and July share the same father.  Three of these otters were born at the same time by one mother and the other was born by a different female.  The father was rescued in 2007 by HCMC FPD while the mothers were handed over by local people in 2011. Two weeks after being born, the pups open their eyes.  They stay in the nest and breastfeed for about one and a half months to two months.  After that, the babies start to feed on fish and learn how to swim.  Both father and mother stay together to take care of the pups.

This is the forth time, Asian Small-clawed Otters have been born at Cu Chi WRS.  

Kien Giang Province, dated 2^nd August 2013 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) is assisting Department of Forest Protection of Phu Quoc National Park identify and preserve three bodies of Silvered Langur (Trachypithecus villosus) those are evidences of an illegal poaching at Phu Quoc National Park. This activity is to support the official identification, investigation and judgment of the illegal poaching case. 

While patrolling a forest site at Phu Quoc National Park a few days ago, the Park’s rangers discovered a group of four poachers killing three individuals of Silvered Langur. Two poachers were caught in the very act, while the other two escaped. The Park’s Department of Forest Protection is cooperating with other bodies to investigate this case.Silvered Langur is an endangered species that is native to Kien Giang Province. The species is listed in IUCN Red Book and is categorized as vulnerable species (VU level) in Vietnamese Red Book. The Silvered Langur is listed in the IB animal group under Decree 32/2006 NĐ-CP of the government on endangered wildlife management. According to this Decree, the poachers who hunted and killed the three Silvered Langurs will be criminal convicted.WAR also requests that after being judged, bodies of the three Silvered Langurs will be destroyed or handed over to the Vietnam Nature Museum for preservation as a species sample for Phu Quoc Island.

 “We expect that the poachers will be convicted strictly in order to maximize effectiveness of the enforcement related to wildlife conservation. We hope that every people will take practical actions in order to protect our unique wildlife”, said Mr. Khoi Nguyen Vu – WAR’s CEO.

Please see more photos of Silverd Langur here.

Ho Chi Minh City, July 2013 –The Media MegaStar Ltd.Co. provided generous supports for Wildlife At Risk (WAR) to rescue endangered wildlife as well as to promote rescue activities amongs its clients. The Community Service Responsibility Fund that was raised last May through selling attached combo of the environmental film entitled Epic was contributed to construct a new enclosure for rescued birds and to name a Moon Bear, a Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibon and a Small-Clawed Otter at Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station (WRS).

Ms.Mariam El Bacha –Director of Operation_ MegaStar, donates cash to WAR’s wildlife rescue activities

On 20 July 2013, MegaStar also organised a trip for 20 staff and clients to visit Cu Chi WRS. This is the first time, the visitors have obssered rescued endangered wildlife and got to know about different moved stories of the rescued wildlife. They also joined WAR’s staff prepare food and feed the wildlife. These activities helped visitors not only learn more about endangered wildlife and the importance of wildlife protection but also get to know how an endangered animal is rescued.

Visitors learning about an endangered turtle at Cu Chi WRS Visiting the Education Center and interacting with wildlife trade display items and actual objects, the visitors learnt more about illegal trade and consumption of wildlife throughout Vietnam. At the end of the trip, the visitors folded paper birds and wrote on the birds any action they could take to protect wildlife.The trip is a new and exciting experience for all visitors. It inspires and encourages them to take actions to protect wildlife in the future. Before leaving, the visitors signed down their names to show their commitment to Vietnam’s wildlife protection.  “My two kids and I are totally enjoyed this exciting trip today. WAR staff show me diferrent simple actions that we could do to protect wildlife. We commit to practice those actions, and we will encourage other people to do like us.”, said Ms. Thy Dinh Nguyen Chu – a MegaStar Client.WAR would like to express our sincere thanks for the generous support from MegaStar and its clients!

Please see more photos of the trip to Cu Chi WRS here

Kien Giang, 28 June 2013 – Today 24 students from different universities of Ho Chi Minh City complete three days learning and working at Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Station, Kien Giang Province. This is an activity of a newly launched pogramme entitled “Summer Move” organised by Wildlife At Risk (WAR). “Summer Move” is an annual programme that provides opportunities for university students to learn and work voluntarily at WAR’s wildlife rescue facilities, free of charge. The programme is for any active university student who loves the nature and has certain contribution to wildlife conservation. In the programme, the students learn about wildlife, pros and cons of different jobs related to wildlife conservation. They also experience daily works of WAR staff at the rescue facility and thus contribute directly to wildlife rescuing job and wildlife conservation.

 In this first “Summer Move” programme organised at Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Station, the students observe and learn about more than 50 individuals of endangered wildlife including: Moon Bear, Sun Bear, Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon, Indochinese Silvered Leaf Monkey, Pangolin, Leopard Cat, snakes, turtles and small carnivores. The students help prepare food and feed the wildlife, clean and paint wildlife’s enclosures, and grow some food plants for wildlife. The students also work in groups with local rangers to distribute wildlife protection leaflets to approximately 500 local households in Hon Dat District, Kien Giang Province. Also in this five-day-four-night trip, the students discuss about different jobs related to wildlife and practice some practical skills such as observing wildlife at night, using camera traps, taking photos of wildlife using special aided tools and taking good photos. The programme with other activities such as a fashion design and performance contest, visiting famous site seeing of Hon Dat District, and exchanging relationship with local youth and rangers has become one of the most favourite programme among university students. “Summer Move” programme aims to connect the youth and wildlife conservation. Studying and working at WAR’s wildlife rescue facilities, university students are inspired and have an opportunity to think critically about wildlife conservation profession. We expect that more and more youngsters decide to work on wildlife conservation area or to do something for wildlife when they are graduated. We believe that the annual “Summer Move” programme will generate stronger forces for wildlife conservation in the coming time, said Ms. Huyen Do Thi Thanh, Wildlife Education Manager, Wildlife At Risk. Please see the press release here.To view some photos of the activity, please click here.

May 2013 – One individual of Onychophora (Eoperipatus sp.)belonging to Peripatidae Phylum was recorded by Vietnamese and international scientists of Wildlife At Risk (WAR) in a forest of Quang Ngai Province. This is the second time, Onychophora has been recorded in Vietnam. This discovery was announced openly to international community on some international magazine.

The Onychophora recorded in Quang Ngai Jungle

Ho Chi Minh City, dated 22 May 2013 – On the occasion of the World Biodiversity Day 2013, Wildlife At Risk (WAR) and Khan Quang Do magazine launched two computer games on wildlife protection for the public in general, especially children aged 12-15 years old. These two games titled “Wildlife Savior” and “Guess my name” are developed from the awarded ideas of the contest on Initiating computer game idea entitled “Call of the forest”, organised by WAR and Khan Quang Do Magazine from September to November last year.

Guess my name	Wildlife Savior

Game “Guess my name” is developed from the runner up prized idea of Nguyen Dang Khoa, 14 years old boy. In this game, players look at photos of wildlife in the wild and guess common names of the wildlife. The game helps players identify wildlife and thus encourages love to wildlife and nature. Happy music of the game supports players to imagine of a beautiful wildlife world.

Please see press release about the two games here.

The book titled “Introduction of some Birds of Vietnam” that was partly supported by Wildlife At Risk (WAR), authored by Doctor Le Manh Hung – Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources was published in October 2012 in Vietnamese. This photography book describes over 50 percent of wild bird species in Vietnam. The book is for anyone who loves and would like to learn about Vietnam wild birds.

The author and the book

This 585 page book,  describes 532 species of 90 families of Vietnam wild birds. More than 840 live photos and 500 distribution maps, together with a brief description of each species help readers to identify wild birds in the nature easily.