Ho Chi Minh City, September 2012 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) cooperated with Khan Quang Do magazine, to launch a competition that submitting the ideas for wildlife computer games titled “Call of the forest” for all children aged 11 to 15 years old, throughout Vietnam, from 5^th September to 30^th November 2012. This contest is part of the programme titled “Take part in Nature Protection year 2012”, implemented by WAR and Khan Quang Do magazine.Focusing on “Saving Vietnam’s endangered wildlife”, the competition gave students the opportunity to satisfy their creativity, by highlighting the beauty and value of 

Vietnams’wildlife as well as the threats to wildlife and the important messages calling for action, to help protect endangered species. This competition also gave children a healthy and attractive playground that fits the learning needs and the computer usages today. Mrs. Do Thi Thanh Huyen, Wildlife Education Manager –WAR, commented: “The best game ideas may be considered for completion before being loaded on WAR’s website. We hope this will help raise awareness amongst young children and the public that highlights the importance of wildlife protection. Through these games, everyone can see the beauty of Vietnam’s wildlife, but also learn about threats to these unique species. We hope that these games will encourage people to help WAR save endangered species and save them from possible extinction.” The award ceremony will be organised as part of the program, “Take part in Nature Protection year 2012” at the end of December, 2012. Also, the 50 best drawing paintings that were part of the drawing contest about, conservation of the Javan Rhino and other endangered species, implemented by WAR and Khan Quang Do magazine in 2001, will also be displayed at the ceremony. Contest regulations, and information about Javan Rhino’s and other endangered species will be published in Khan Quang Do magazine once the competition has started. You can download the contest regulations here or at www.muctim.com.vn

6^th September, 2012 – An illegal trade network of dugongs (Dugong dugon) on Phu Quoc Island was detected by Wildlife At Risk (WAR). These illegal trading activities also include other endangered marine wildlife.

A few days before, local people on Phu Quoc island, Kien Giang province informed WAR that an individual dugong weighing about 100 kg was killed and sold to local restaurants. WAR immediately conducted an investigation and has confirmed that the reported information is true. 

A piece of Dugong skin sold on Phu Quoc Island in August 2012 

A piece of Dugong skin sold on Phu Quoc Island in August 2012 After being caught, the dugong was killed on the ship and sold to an intermediary trader in Duong Dong Town who used to sell seafood at Duong Dong market. This woman’s name is Ms. Be. Dugong meat and skin was delivered directly to retail traders or restaurants on Phu Quoc Island. Retail prices for dugong meat ranges from 400,000 VND to 550,000 VND per kilogram. In recent months, it’s quite regular that this trader sells Dugong meat at the Duong Dong Town.

Dugong (Dugong dugon) is a large marine mammal species. An adult Dugong is about 3 metres long and can weigh 450 kilograms. They feed on sea grass and other marine plants. Due to slow moving and large body, Dugongs get easily stuck in fishing nets and many drown. This species is also intensively hunted not only for food but also for traditional medicine or jewelry purposes.Dugongs are classified as critically endangered in the Vietnam Red Book and listed as a vulnerable species in the IUCN Red Book.  According to WWF, in 2003, Phu Quoc and Con Dao are the only two marine places in Vietnam that have Dugongs, with an estimated total of no more than 100.

Dugongs are not the only marine species being traded; endangered sea turtles such as Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) are often caught and sold to restaurants on the island with retail price ranging from 200,000VND to 450,000 VND per kilogram. The investigation also revealed that this illegal trading network of dugong parts used to work quite openly. Since dugong and marine resource conservation activities were applied, this trading network has been operating more secretly. WAR has just officially requested functional authorities of Phu Quoc Island to confiscate this illegal trading network of dugongs and other endangered marine wildlife. WAR has also committed to support conservation activities of Phu Quoc’s marine resources in the coming months. 

WAR highly appreciates the local residents on Phu Quoc Island who have cooperated with WAR in the process of detecting this illegal trading network. We are looking forward to receiving wildlife crime reports to WAR’s hotline at: 0976 06 76 46.

Ho Chi Minh City, 24th July 2012 – A Javan Pangolin (Manis javanica) was born at Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station (WRS).The baby pangolin that’s weighed roughly 300 gram and covered by soft scales is in very good health. The pangolin’s mother breast feasts its baby and the baby always cling to her mother tail when moving. When it’s about two or three months, the pangolin will fed on ant eggs and not clings to her mother tail anymore. The baby pangolin is now receiving special care from WAR staff at Cu Chi WRS.  

New born pangolin clings to its mother at Cu Chi WRS Both mother and father of the baby pangolin were rescued by WAR and Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department in August 2010. The mother with front left leg missing and the father with front right leg missing have stayed at Cu Chi WRS since then and will  never be released back to the wild. In March 2012, WAR staff decided to place the injured male and female pangolins together. After four months of gestation, the female delivered the baby pangolin safe and sound. Javan Pangolins are listed in Vietnam Red Book as Endangered species (EN). It only gives birth to one or two babies per year. Due to slow reproductive rate, habitat lost as well as illegal hunting and trading, the number of wild pangolins has been decreased steadily. According Mr. Le Xuan Lam, Manger of Cu Chi WRS “This is the second time, baby pangolin has been born at Cu Chi WRS. The baby pangolin born at Cu Chi WRS before was released to the wild already. These successes contribute greatly to wildlife breeding programme for conservation that WAR is pursuing. We will definitely take good care of this pangolin so that it can also be released back to the wild”.

Kien Giang, 27 thJuly 2012 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) successfully inaugurated Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Station (WRS) in cooperation with Kien Giang Provincial Forest Protection Departments (FPD), and Kien Giang Union of Friendship Organisation. With a total area of three hectares at Hon Dat District, Kien Giang Province, Hon Me WRS rescues bears and endangered wildlife species of Mekong Delta region. At the Station, rescued wildlife will be taken good care and rehabilitated by WAR staff before being released back to the wild.

Attended the inauguration ceremony were more than 50 participants from The Center of Region Three of the Viet Nam Forest Protection Department, People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province, Kien Giang Union of Friendship Organisation, HCM C and Kien Giang Provincial FPD, Southern Office of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), People’s Committee of Hon Dat District – Kien Giang Province, Phu Quoc and U Minh Thuong National Parks, related bodies of Kien Giang Province, WAR, local residents and media. Also attended at the ceremony was representative of the main donor i.e. the Dragon Capital, and WAR’s Trustee. 

Cutting the inauguration ribbon at the ceremony

Hon Me WRS is one of three rescue stations managed by WAR including Cu Chi WRS, Cat Tien Bear and Wild Cat Rescue Station and Hon Me WRS. Hon Me WRS was established according to the project entitled “Construction of Bear Rescue Station” implemented by WAR, Free the Bear and Brigitte Bardot Foundation during the period of 2008-2010. Since January 2011, the Station was officially named “Hon Me WRS” that was directly managed by WAR in collaboration with Kien Giang provincial FPD.

Currently, more than 50 individuals of 15 endangered species are being rescued at Hon Me WRS including Moon Bear (Ursus thibetanus), Sun Bear (Ursus malayanus), Yellow-checked Crested Gibbons (Nomascus gabriellae), Pygmy Loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus), Giant Asian Pond Turtle (Heosemis grandis) and Elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongata). Most recently on July 13^th, the Station received a Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) for the first time, from a local people who voluntarily handed it. In the coming time, this station is going to rescue other species such as snakes, turtles, and small carnivores. 

According to Mr. Le Thanh Binh, Manager of Kien Giang Provincial FPD: “The operation of Hon Me WRS meets the urgent need of wildlife rescue in the Mekong Delta region and is in line with the conservation plan that includes eco-tourism development and conservation education of Hon Dat district, Kien Giang province. We are totally committed to support WAR in operation of Hon Me WRS in order to contribute to the conservation of endangered wildlife.”

“The infrastructure improvement of Hon Me WRS so that it is able to rescue different wildlife species is one effort of WAR to protect endangered wildlife from extinction. The strong supports and cooperation of related bodies are fundamental for the operation of Hon Me WRS. We believe that with this cooperation, more and more wildlife will be successfully rescued in the coming time.” – said Mr. Dominic Scriven, WAR’s Trustee.

WAR is grateful for valuable supports from individuals and organisations in saving Vietnam’s unique wildlife.

Please download the press release here.
Please see more photos of the inauguration here.

Ho Chi Minh City, 15th July 2012 – About 30 children aged 11 to 15 years old from the “I Love Nature” Club and “Young Media” Club – Khan Quang Do magazine participated in a study tour to discover the nature of Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. The study tour helped children to understand more about the mangrove ecosystem. It also fostered children’s love to the nature and thus encouraging them to practice positive behaviours toward the nature and wildlife. This is one activity of the programme titled “Take part in Nature Protection”, implemented by WAR and Khan Quang Do magazine.

Researching snails in mangrove forest

Children were excited with various creative activities and games during the trip, including searching for animal tracks, researching snails, collecting the fruits of Bakau Minyak – a dominant plant species in the mangrove forest, observing bats hanging on trees, and learning about oyster and crab farmings. The trip was an interesting and memorable experience to all participants. ”Before coming here, I thought that I would not tough the mud because I were so scare. But observing my friends walking excitingly into the mud, I changed my mind and I walked quite far into the mangrove forest, chasing for mangrove snails. The trip helps me to know more about living creatures in the mangroves forest as well as its precious values”- according to an evaluation sheet of a member of the “I Love Nature” club.

At the end of the trip, children created souvenirs from the bakau minyak fruits. They also wrote down positive behaviors toward wildlife and nature and attached it to the souvenirs those would be given to their friends and family members. The children committed to act accordingly, and persuade people around to participate in wildlife protection.

This trip was also an opportunity for the children to practice journal writing skills trained by WAR and Khan Quang Do Magazine, early July this year.

Please see more photos of the trip here.

Quang Ngai, 18th June 2012 – Many new species were recorded for the first time in the forest of Ba To district, Quang Ngai province, including 55 plants species and approximately 200 species of animals including butterfly, moth, fresh-water fish, amphibians, lizards, snakes, stag beetles (Lucanidae), long-horned beetles (Cemrabycidae) and other insects. Some of these are interesting for science. These are the initial results of WAR’s biodiversity survey in this area. This is the second time WAR has conducted a biodiversity survey in Quang Ngai.

White-banded Wolf snake (Dinodon sp. cf. septentrionalis) that has been recorded from Cao Bang to Hue Provinces has now been found in Quang Ngai province.

Yellow-spotted Spadefoot Toad (Leptobrachium xanthospilum) that has been recorded only in Kon Tum Province was recorded in the forests of Quang Ngai province.

Participating in this survey were both national and international experts from WAR. Trekking one day through deep forests on sloping hills and high mountains, the survey group spent 15 days to conduct forest research and collect samples. The experts are now working on samples collected during the survey. Final results of the survey will be revealed soon.

Ho Chi Minh City, June 2012 – Over 210 individuals of 26 endangered species were rescued successfully in the first six months of 2012 by Wildlife At Risk (WAR) in cooperation with Ho Chi Minh City and Kien Giang Provincial Forest Protection Department (FPD), Cat Tien and Lo Go Xa Mat National Park. Rescued species included Siamese Crocodile, Moon Bear, Yellow-checked Crested Gibbon, Pygmy Loris, Otter, Wild Cat, Hornbill, Common Pheasant, sea turtle, and tortoises. Most of these wildlife species were confiscated from illegal wildlife trade or illegal captivity. Some were handed over voluntarily by local people or local pagodas.

Many of the rescued animals were suffering from exhaustion, injured and even missing limbs. At the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station (WRS), Cat Tien Bear and Wild Cat Rescue Station, and Hon Me WRS, all rescued wildlife are properly taken care of by WAR staff monitoring their health and rehabilitating so that maybe one day they can be released back to the wild.

Also during these first six months, more than 150 individuals of 14 endangered species including Leopard Cat, Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon, King Cobra, Elongated Tortoise, Orange-headed Temple Turtle and Elongated Tortoises were released to the forests of Cat Tien, Lo Go – Xa Mat and Chu Mom Ray National Park. 

According to Mr. Nguyen Vu Khoi – WAR’s CEO, “The quantity of wildlife that is being traded illegally is much larger than the number of rescued and released individuals that WAR has been working on. However, we believe that our efforts have contributed directly to the conservation of endangered species. We are looking forward for stronger support from organisations and individuals in order to save more of Vietnam’s endangered wildlife”.

You can save endangered wildlife by reporting wildlife crime to WAR’s hotline: 0976 06 76 46 or email info@wildlifeatrisk.org.WAR highly appreciates organisations, companies and individuals who hand over endangered wildlife to our rescue stations or report wildlife crimePlease download the press release here 

Ho Chi Minh City, 20^th May, 2012 – To celebrate the International Day for Biodiversity 22^nd May, 30 children aged 12 to 15 years old from “I Love Nature Club”- Khan Quang Do magazine released native fishes to the wild and then visited Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station (WRS) to help Wildlife At Risk (WAR) staff prepare food and feed the wildlife. 

Over 200 native Rasbora (Rasbora paviana), Fighting Fish (Betta splendens) and Croaking Gourami (Trichopsis vittata) were released to a tributary of Sai Gon River under Cau Den Bridge in District 2. The native fish releasing contributes to the biodiversity through repopulating native fish populations that are degrading in the City. These fishes were bred in the programme titled “Breeding and release native fishes to the wild” that was partly supported by LIN (Center for Community Development). After releasing the fishes, the children visited 

Cu Chi WRS where they prepared food and then fed rescued endangered wildlife. This is an opportunity for children to actually act to save endangered wildlife. Stories about origin and journey of each endangered animal before getting to Cu Chi WRS help the children to understand more about the illegal trade and consumption of wildlife throughout Vietnam. All the children committed to take actions to protect wildlife, including convincing other people to act also. Before leaving, the children participated in various exciting games to learn more about wildlife and the significance of the International Day for Biodiversity 22^nd May. 

“Today, all the children did take actions to help wildlife and Vietnam’s Biodiversity. We hope that everyone will also take practical action to save wildlife, not only on the occasion of the International Day for Biodiversity but every day through the year round”, said Mrs. Do Thi Thanh Huyen, Wildlife Education Manager –WAR. 
 This activity to celebrate the International Day for Biodiversity 22^nd May is oneactivity of the programme titled “Take part in Nature Protection year 2012”, implemented by WAR and Khan Quang Do magazine. This year, the programme focuses on training the children aged 12-15 years old with persuading skills. When the children see any negative behaviour toward the nature and wildlife, they will come to talk, explain and persuade that person not to repeat that behaviour. The programme also includes many other exciting activities such as discovering the nature, visiting wildlife farms, photo contest, writing skill training and exciting games.

Ho Chi Minh City, 7^th May, 2012 – By the end of this school year 2011-2012,more than 15,000 students aged 12-15 years old and teachers from 36 secondary schools in Ho Chi Minh City have participated in the SOS traveling exhibition since it was launched in December 2011. Leaving the exhibition, students and teachers were totally committed to “Say no illegal wildlife products” and promised to help Vietnams’ endangered wildlife. 

The SOS Travelling Exhibition was conducted by Wildlife At Risk (WAR) with strong support from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training and the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department. The SOS exhibition is an initiative of WAR, to educate and urge the younger generation of Vietnam to save wildlife from the brink of extinction such as the Javan Rhino. Visiting the SOS Travelling Exhibition, students are taught all about the illegal wildlife consumption throughout Vietnam. The students are able to watch interesting video clips about wildlife product consumption, touch and interact with the exhibits, listen to endangered wildlife sounds, and participate in exciting games to win gifts from WAR.

The students and teachers were quite excited when participating at the exhibition. Previously, most students and citizens thought that illegal hunting is the most dangerous threat to wildlife. However, after visiting the exhibition, many children have realized that illegal wildlife product consumption is the most dangerous threat to Vietnam’s wildlife. Many students were moved when interacting with exhibits on how endangered animals were consumed and are now being pushed towards the brink of extinction. On the consolidation of the SOS Travelling Exhibition of school year 2011-2012, a two-day study tour to Cat Tien National Park was organised for more than 20 university volunteers who successfully completed their tasks of guiding students at the exhibition. During this study tour, the volunteers had the opportunity to explore the jungle where the Javan Rhino used to live. The trip helped the volunteers to understand more about forest values. It also makes them appreciated the wonderful wildlife and more regretful for the extinction of the Javan Rhino. The knowledge and experience earned during the trip will help the volunteers to be more confident in guiding students at the SOS Travelling Exhibition in the future.

“The SOS Travelling Exhibition has raised the awareness and knowledge on the illegal wildlife production consumption for both students and teachers. We hope that not only secondary school students but also the public will act in saving Vietnam’s endangered wildlife by saying NO to illegal wildlife products”, saidMrs. Huyen Do Thi Thanh, Wildlife Education Manager – WAR. The SOS Travelling Exhibition was successfully operated in four districts in Ho Chi Minh City including District 1, District 3, Binh Thanh and Phu Nhuan Districts. This exhibition will be operated in other secondary schools in other districts in next school year. Please download the press release here, and see more photos of the Nature Discovering trip of the volunteers at Cat Tien National Park here.

14^th April, 2012 – An Italian film crew from La7 television channel came to film the Moon Bears and Sun Bears at Cat Tien Bear and Wild Cat Rescue Station operated by WAR. Footage from the Station will be used to create a documentation film about Vietnam wildlife that will be broadcasted on La7 channel. 

The bears in the 1ha semi wild enclosure were filmed in a way so that it looks like the bears are in the wild. The releasing of two endangered King Cobras, one Leopard Cat and five Elongated Tortoises to the forest of Cat Tien National Park were also film. These endangered animals were successfully rescued and rehabilitated by WAR staff from Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station.

In this documentation films, other endangered animals were also filmed throughout Vietnam such as Pangolin from Cuc Phuong National Park, Delacour’s Langur, White-cheeked Gibbon and Golden Headed Langur from Cuc Phuong Primate Rescue Station, Giant Long-legged Cave Fish From Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, and various insects, birds, small carnivores, snakes, reptiles, moth and butterflies in all those places. 

The film crew was extremel happy with the all the shots they got, including footage of bears enjoying their comfortable semi wild environmental at the Cat Tien Bear and Wild Cat Rescue Station. 

During the filming trip, La7 also supported the wildlife at Cat Tien Bear and Wild Cat Rescue Station by contributing some funds to help buy animal food. WAR would like to thank La7 channel for promoting the unique wildlife of Vietnam and for their great support towards WAR.

Huyen Do