Ho Chi Minh City, dated 22 May 2015 –On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2015, Wildlife At Risk (WAR) and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training (DOET) organised an awarding ceremony of the contest on developing power point lectures for any lesson that includes wildlife protection content of Biology Subject Grade 7. The awarding ceremony was organised at Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station in order to award best power point lectures those include wildlife protection content and to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity 2015.

Participated in the ceremony were over 50 participants including leaders and staff of HCMC DOET, HCMC District DOET and other bodies, awarded teachers and WAR leaders and staff.

The 38 best power point lectures were awarded at the ceremony. Those lectures not only meet curriculum learning objects but also intergrate wildlife protection content in an attractive and effective manner. Those lectures are also creative and feasible.From 22 August 2014 to 20 April 2015, the contest received over 300 power point lectures from 19 districts of Ho Chi Minh City. The lectures cover all key lessons of Biology Subject Grade 7 those including priority animals for conservation such as insects, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. All the contested power point lectures were delivered to the students before registering for the contest. According to Ms. Do Thi Thanh Huyen – Wildlife Education Manager, WAR, “It’s really hard for us to judge the contest as many contested lectures are so good, so creative and carefully designed. Each lecture includes numerous active learning methods with many live photos and video of the wildlife. This is so special and more attractive than a normal lesson. I believe that any class with any awared lecture is an exciting and interesting experience for both studens and teachers”.

“The contest was a great opportunity for each teacher of Biology Subject Grade 7 to take part in wildlife protection through delivering wildlife content in effective and interesting methods. We are commited to strongly support wildlife education activities for the students in order to contribute to biodiversity conservation of Vietnam”, said Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu – Vice Ditector of HCMC DOET.

After the awarding ceremony, leaders and teachers also visited endangered wildlife those are rescued at Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station. Every people were moved with different stories about jouneys of endangered wildlife such as the bear losing paws, the elongated tortoises born at the station and etc. 

To celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity 2015, all participants also pledged not to consumme illegal wildlife products by signing on the model of Gab – a gibbon that is ambassador of the SOS programme.In next academic year, the awarded lectures will be shared among all secondary schools in Ho Chi Minh City. This will be a great asset for Biology Subject teachers to refer and to deliver lectures those contribute to wildlife conservation in Vietnam.

The contest is one activity of the SOS Programme launched in Dec 2011 by WAR, HCMC DOET and HCMC Departmnet of Education and Training. The SOS programme aims to educate students on wildlife consumption through encouraging them to say NO to illegal wildlife product. 

Download the second press release here and more pictures here

Ho Chi Minh City, dated 22 April 2015 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) and Douc Langur Foundation (DLF) announced a contest on creating short video clips to select participants for the Wildlife Summer Camp 2015. This annual camp was launched by WAR in June 2013 entitled “Wildlife Summer Camp – Connecting youth and wildlife conservation”. In this year, the Wildlife Summer Camp 2015 is being organised by WAR and proudly supported by the Douc Langur Foundation. 

Wildlife Summer Camp 2015 aims to connect youth to wildlife conservation through helping them identify suitable jobs and to inspire them to take actions to protect wildlife both now and for the future. With the theme “Scattering of love”,the Camp will last for five days and four nights at WAR’s Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Station. A wide range of practical and interactive activities will be conducted in an exciting and creative manner, including daily rescue activities such as preparing food and feeding wildlife, cleaning wildlife enclosures, growing food plants for rescued wildlife and forest trees at the Station, paint wildlife’s enclosure, communication activities. The campers will also learn different skills related to the profession such as photography, camera trap setting up, forest surveying and other recreational activities! 

In order to find suitable students for the Wildlife Summer Camp 2015, a contest on creating short video clip was launched by WAR and the DLF. In this contest the contestant has to create a short video clip that is not longer than three minutes to call for the youth to take part in wildlife conservation. Any university students from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi is eligible. The contest lasts from 22 April to 22 May 2015 with the winners of the contest participating in the Wildlife Summer Camp 2015.

 For the first time, university students from Hanoi also have opportunity to take part in the Wildlife Summer Camp 2015. It is expected that approximately five university students from Hanoi and 35 university students from Ho Chi Minh City, including some WAR’s best volunteer students or winners of other WAR’s competitions in the past year.  

“WAR’s Wildlife Summer Camp isa truly meaningful experience. I took part in many practical activities and was passionated for the friendships those were bonded during the trip. I knew moved stories of rescued wildlife and experienced how careful they were taken care of by WAR’s staff. I commit myselves to contributing more to wildlife conservation though asking people around to take part in wildlife protection. The wildlife were so unique and beautiful and I wish my children would also see them the way I saw.” – expressed Miss Le Thi My Nhung from Agriculture and Forestry University, participated in the Wildlife Summer Camp 2014.

Ms. Huyen Do Thi Thanh – Wildlife Education Manager, WAR explained that: “Successes of the two previous Wildlife Summer Camp inspired and encouraged us to continue organizing this coming Wildlife Summer Camp 2015. The Wildlife Summer Camp 2015, with participation of students from both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi Capital will include many lovely surprises for the campers. Currently, we are preparing carefully for the Wildlife Summer Camp 2015 so that it not only meets the youth’s expectations but also contribute greatly to wildlife conservation”. 

Download the press release here  and see the contest rules for selecting participants for Wildlife Summer Camp 2015 here

Phu Quoc, dated 16 April 2015 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) and Mango Bay Resort officially openned the photo exhibition entitled “Lucky Wildlife” at 6pm yesterday at Mango Bay Resort. Participated in the opening was roughly 40 people including local leaders, staff and leaders of Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area, Phu Quoc National Park and Mango Bay Resort, tourists and local people. The exhibition will lasts for a month from 15 April to 15 May 2015 at Mango Bay Resort, Ong Lang Beach, Phu Quoc Island.   

Over 40 artistic photos of endangered wildlife, luckily rescued by WAR were displayed at the exhibition. Each photo mostly sized 30x45cm includes a story about that endangered wildlife and its fate. All live photos were taken in natural setting. Beside endanered willdife suchs as Asian Leopard, Yellow cheeked Crested Gibbon, Grey-shanked Douc, Moon Bear, Green Peafowl, and Pangolin, the exhibition also includes some endangered wildlife of Phu Quoc Island such as Indochinese Silvered Langur, Pygmy Loris, and Tokay Gecko. 

At the opening, the participants were moved with rescuing stories of each wildlife. Every one was happy to know that all the wildlife are now living in its natural habitat or enjoying comfortable lives at WAR’s rescuing facilities. All participants also pledged not to consumme endangered wildlife products.  

According to Ms. Do Thi Thanh Huyen – WAR’s Wildlife Education Manager, who is author of 11 displayed photos:”Beside endless passion for wildlife conservation activiies, many WAR staff also have a passion for taking photos of wildlife. We make use of every moment to take live wildlife photos in the hope that every people will see wildlife the way we see and love them the way we love. We hope that visitors will enjoy wildlife’s beauty and will join us to protect wildlife”! In this exhibition, Mr. Nguyen Vu Khoi – WAR’s CEO contributes most photos. He contributes 19 photos to the exhibition.

 The photo exhibition was funded by Mango Bay Resort. This is one of many other conservation activities supported by this high profile and nature frienly resort. Entrance is free. Every one can visit the exhibition from 9am to 7pm daily. You are encouraged to purchase displayed photos. All funds will be donatsed to WAR for rescuing endagnered wildlife.

Download the second press release here and more pictures here

Contact

Wildlife At Risk (WAR)

202/10 Nguyen Xi, Ward 26, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: 08 3899 7314               Fax: 08 3899 7316

Email: info@wildlifeatrisk.org          Website: www.wildlifeatrisk.org

Phu Quoc Island, dated 7^th April 2015 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) and Mango Bay Resort will organize a photo exhibition entitled “Lucky Wildlife”. The exhibition will last for a month from 15^th April to 15^th May 2015 at Mango Bay Resort, Ong Lang Beach, Cua Can, Phu Quoc Island. The exhibition will clude large photos of over roughly 40 species of endangered wildlife those have been being rescued by WAR. The exhibition will not only inspire the audience by beautiful moments of endangered wildlife but also call for the audiences to take part in wildlife conservation by saying NO to illegal wildlife products.

Approximately 40 photos, mostly sized 30X45cm will be displayed at the Restaurant and Beach Bar of Mango Bay Resort. Those photos were taken by seven WAR’s staff who are deeply in love with each individual of endangered wildlife. The photos could be shot during the rehabilitating or releasing of wildlife in a natural setting, which make the audience feel the freedom lives of those wildlife in its habitats. The photos are not only artistic but also show the real beauty of each endangered wildlife such as Asian Leopard, Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon, Moon Bear, Green Peafowl, Pangolin, Loris, Hawskbill and Common Pheasant. Highlight of the exhibition is endangered wildlife those could be found on natural forests of Phu Quoc Island.

Each displayed photo include a different story about the endangered wildlife and WAR’s related rescuing activities. All of those wildlife were victims of illegal poaching, trading or consumption and they all were lucky enough to be rescued by WAR. Most of them are now living freedomly in the forest where they were released while some are enjoying comfortable lives at WAR’s rescue facilities including Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station, Ho Chi Minh City and Hon Me Wildlife Rescue Staiton, Kien Giang Province. 

“It’s barely possible to see those endangered wildlife in the wild. We are also lucky to not only see those wildlife but help them to be freed. Each photo is our memories related to the whole process of rescuing that individual such as healthcare, feeding, rehabilitating, and/or releasing. I hope that the audience will not only enjoy the beauty of endangered wildlife but also understand out efforts in wildlife protection. I also hope that each audience will support us so that we can save more endangered wildlife” – Said Mr. Nguyen Vu Khoi – WAR’s CEO who contribute most photos at the exhibition.

The exhibition will be opened for every local people and tourist of Phu Quoc Island from 9AM to 7PM. Entrance is free. There will be available photos for you to purchase. All fund raised during this exhibition will be returned to WAR’s rescuing activities. 

According to Mr. Ronan Le Bihan, Manager of Mango Bay Resort: “The photo exhibition is one of our efforts to contribute to the nature of Vietnam. We did support WAR in many other conservation activities and we hope to spread the conservation message in a relax manner to our visistors while they spend the holidays here with us.”

The photo exhibition will be launched at 6PM on Wednesday 15^th April 2015 at Mango Bay Resort, Ong Lang Beach, Cua Can, Phu Quoc Island.

Download the second press release here 

ContactWildlife At Risk (WAR)

202/10 Nguyen Xi, Ward 26, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: 08 3899 7314               Fax: 08 3899 7316

Email: info@wildlifeatrisk.org          Website: www.wildlifeatrisk.org

October and November are peak time for Dugong to be hunted and traded on Phu Quoc Island. In Oct 2014, a survey on Dugong trading and consumption was secrectely conducted on Phu Quoc Island by WAR.

Major findings of the survey contribute to enforcement activities and also help WAR to strengthen its activities on Phu Quoc Island. The most important finding is that instead of trading Dugong pretty openly as several years ago, Dugong is now traded and consummered extrememly secrectedly. You need to be trusted by the traders to purchase Dugong’s meat, skins and teeth. This could be result of quite a few affords on Dugong conservation of different organisations and bodies in the past few year.

 Some trading lines and addresses were also found in the survey. WAR is asking local authorities to investigate and confiscate those trading cases. Also WAR is addressing the findings in its coming activities on Phu Quoc Island. 

More findings about this Dugong trading on Phu Quoc Island could be refered here. http://www.sggp.org.vn/phongsudieutra/2015/2/376396/ 

Additional information: In August 2012, WAR receive a report from the public about a Dugong trading case on Phu Quoc island. WAR immediately started a survey and came up with shocked findings about Dugong consumption and trading on Phu Quoc Island. Not only alerting local authority, WAR has been working closely with Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area in a serial of enforcement and educational activities toward Dugong protection. 

Dugong (Dugong dugon) is a giant mamal that weighed up to 500kg. There are only a few Dugong left in Phu Quoc (Kien Giang Province) and Con Dao (Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province). Dugong is critically endangered (CR) according to the Vietnam Red Book. 

Please inform us of any wildlife crime by calling our hotline at 0976 06 76 46. Thank you very much!

Ho Chi Minh City, 24^th January 2015 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) and the Youth Cultural House of Ho Chi Minh City successfully launched a photo exhibition entitled “Wild Birds in Mating Season” by photographer Tang A Pau at 3pm today. The photo exhibition shows the beauty and unique characteristics of wild birds in the forest and hoped that it will inspire the audience to take action in the protection of wild birds in Vietnam.

 Participating in the opening ceremony were over 70 participants including representatives of local authorities in Ho Chi Minh City, The City Youth Cultural House, public, university students, leader and staff of WAR, representatives of the exhibition’s donors including vnphoto.net forum, Hoang Quan Company, Phu Quang Digital, Khanh Long camera, TIXIAI Ltd., Company, and Edge Image, and media.

 Over 130 photos sized of 40X60cm, mostly, featuring Vietnam’s wild birds are being displayed at the exhibition. Each photo includes a short description of the species. The highlight of the exhibition is a collection of Sarus Crane photos. The Sarus Crane is an endangered bird that is catagorised as Vulnerable (VU) in the IUCN Red List. This collection includes outstanding photos which capture peaceful and fairy-tale like moments of the cranes in an artirstic manner. The exhibition also includes photos of other endangered species such as Great Hornbill, Grey-crowned Crocias, Oriental Darter, Siamese Fireback, and Vietnam Greenfinch. The state-of-the-art photography skills, fine taste of art, plus extensive experience help Mr. Tang A Pau to capture unique, vivid, lively and mysterious moments of Vietnam’s wild birds.   Although Mr. Tang A Pau is a business man, taking photos of wildlife, especially wild birds, has been an endless passion of his for many years. “I often carry my camera to the forest and patiently wait to see wild birds. Many species have become rare. A few species, those that are commonly traded in Ho Chi Minh City for pets or for lucky releasing, are hard to find in the forest. I hope that every one could see unique and beautiful moments of wild birds like I do. I also expect that every one will take practical action and join me save Vietnam’s endangered birds and wildlife” – Mr. Tang A Pau, the author of the exhibition. The exhibition is opened from 8am to 8pm every day, except for the opening day on 24^th Jan 2014 when the exhibition will open from 3pm.  Entrance is free and there will be photos for purchase at the exhibition. All funds raised during the exhibition will be donated to the rescue activities of WAR at Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station, and for disadvantage children in Ho Chi Minh City.  

Download the second press release here and see some wild bird photos of Tang A Pau here.

Contact

Wildlife At Risk (WAR)

202/10 Nguyen Xi, Ward 26, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City

Tel: 08 3899 7314               Fax: 08 3899 7316

Email: info@wildlifeatrisk.org          Website: www.wildlifeatrisk.org

Ho Chi Minh City, dated 16^th January 2015 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) will cooperate with The Youth Cultural House of Ho Chi Minh City to organise a photo exhibition entitled “Wild Birds in Mating Season” by photographer Tang A Pau. The photo exhibition is scheduled from 24^th to 28^th January 2015 at the City Youth Cultural House; and the launching ceremony will be organised at 15h00 on 24^th January 2015 at the same location. The photo exhibition shows the beauty and unique moments of wild birds in the forest and inspires the audience to take action in protecting wild birds and the nature of Vietnam.

Over 130 photos, sized of 40X60cm mostly, will be displayed at the exhibition. The photos were taken in different national parks and protected areas throughout Vietnam. Each photo is an art work carefully taken by Mr. Tang A Pau. The photos capture different moments of wild birds, especially during mating season. The photos are not only artistic but also include quite a few endangered birds of Vietnam such as Sarus Crane, Woolly-necked Stork, Grey-crowned Crocias and Ward’s Trogon to name a few. Although Mr. Tang A Pau regards himself as an amateur photographer, he is wellknown amongst national and international photographers. His photos have received positive feedback and are highly appreciated by photography forums including the vnphoto.net and social networks. The photos show his unconditional love for nature and his passon of wild birds in Vietnam. The exhibition is opened from 8Am to APM every day, except for the opening day on 24^th Jan 2014 when the exhibitioniss opened from 3PM. Entrance is free for and you can purchase photos at the exhibition. All funds raised during the exhibition will be donated to the rescue activities of WAR at Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station, and for children in the Central Highland region. 

“The exhibition will include many impressive and unique photos of endangered birds in Vietnam. I myself have not seen all of them in the wild, although we have been conducting quite a few biodiversity surveys thoughtout Vietnam. We hope that all wild birds will be freed so that we can observe them in their most beautiful and natural suround.” – According to Mr. Nguyen Vu Khoi – WAR’s CEO.

Download the first press release here and see some wild bird photos of Tang A Pau here.

Kien Giang Province, January 2015 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) supported U Minh Thuong National Park (UMTNP) to develop content, design and set up a new visitor center at the Park. The Visitor Centre aims to provide information, educate and inspire tourists to take action in protecting the nature of UMTNP. It also helps tourists to decide on tours those they would take while visiting the Park.The Visitor Centre that has a total area of over 160m2 includes four different sections including (1) Beauty and value of UMTNP, (2) Threats of UMTNP, (3) Conservation activities and (4) Souvenirs corner.

 Although Hairy-nosed Otter is icon wildlife of the Park, birds are selected to be the main decorative textures of the Centre. This is because the Park has the largest Bird ground in the Mekong Delta River and any visitor could observe hundreds of birds here any time of the year.The Visitor Centre with bright colours, attractive content, and numerous interactive displays and practical objects is an impressive start for any visitor of the Park.During the seven days working in the fields and a long time preparation, staff of WAR and UMTNP had worked tirelessly to set up, decorate and complete the Visitor Centre. “The Visitor Centre was carefully developed and designed based on previous surveys to ensure that it not only meets the Park’s need but also be an attractive stop that helps visitors to understand, to love and to be willing to take actions in protecting the Park’s nature.” – shared Ms. Huyen Do Thi Thanh – Wildlife Education Manager, WAR. WAR expects that the Visitor Centre will be managed well and updated gradually in order to contribute greatly to sustainable tourism activities at UMTNP.

Please see some photos of the setting up of this visitor center here.

Ha Noi, 13^th December 2014 – Wildlife At Risk (WAR) cooperated with Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department to successfully transfer two male individuals Northern White-cheeked Gibbon to the Me Linh Biodiversity Station – Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (Vietnam Academy). This activity was proudly supported by Cologne Zoo – Germany.

The two individuals of Northern White-cheeked Gibbon were confiscated from an illegal transportation in 2013 in the south and were registered to Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Station in 2013.Northern White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) is categorised as Endangered (EN) in the Vietnam Red Book. This endangered species is also listed in group IB under the Decree 32/2006/NĐ-CP of the government and index 1 of the CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species). Population of this species is decreasing steadily due to habitat lost, hunting and trading for pet and meat.

According to Mr. Nguyen Vu Khoi – WAR’s CEO “The Northern White-cheeked Gibbon is distributed in the North of Vietnam. The transferring of those Gibbons to its Me Linh Biodiversity Station not only enables the gibbons to be in its right habitat but also serves education purposes of the station”.

Phu Quoc Island, dated 30^th November 2014  – This morning, over 800 people including local leaders, teachers, students, public and tourists participated in the Dugong Festival 2014 at Phu Quoc Cultural House, Duong Dong Town, Phu Quoc Island. The festival aims to raise awareness and gain the attention of leaders, students and teachers, locals and tourists for the protection of Dugong and endangered marine creatures.

The festival aims to raise awareness and gain the attention of leaders, students and teachers, locals and tourists for the protection of Dugong and endangered marine creatures. The festival was organised by Wildlife At Risk (WAR), Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area and Phu Quoc District Department of Education and Training included two main activities: a parade and a play contest.  The main message of the festival is to “Take part in saving Dugong and endangered marine creatures”.Of the over 800 participants of the festival, roughly 300 children aged 12-15 years old are from six Marine Conservation Clubs of six secondary schools on Phu Quoc Island. The parade started at Phu Quoc Cultural House going through the town and passed by the Dinh Cau Temple – a famous tourist spot on Phu Quoc Island and finished back at the Cultural House. The parade was a successful and exciting event supported by the participation of locals and tourists alike.After the parade, all participants enjoyed a play contest inside the Phu Quoc Cultural House. The best plays by six of the Marine Conservation Clubs were performed during the contest. All of the plays were about conservation of Dugong and endangered marine creatures. Each play was carefully developed and well prepared by different clubs’ members. Key message regarding conservation of the Dugong and other endangered marine creatures was clearly conveyed to the audience through the intelligent and enthusiastic children and their bright vision about the future for marine life. The audience was profoundly affected by the play and inspired to take action to help Dugong protection.

 First prize was awarded to the play entitled Dugong Diary developed and performed by Nang Tien Ca Club, Duong Dong 1 Secondary School. The play is about a journey of a mother and a baby Dugong from beautiful days to dark days when the two Dugongs faced numerous threats such as heading a board, eating nylon bags floating on sea grasses, being poured by dirty water… Peak of the play is a tragedy when the mother Dugong was caught by two fishmen. Although, the play has a happy ending which the mother Dugong is released back to the sea and she is reunited with her baby Dugong again, the play makes the audiences worry for Dugong’s fate in reality and inspires them to do something for Dugong. Other plays were also awarded with one second, one third and threes runner up prizes. The plays will be performed to other audiences on other occasions and will be shared broadly in the future.At the festival, songs and dances were also performed by the six secondary schools. All participants also show their commitment to Dugong conservation by pledging on saving Dugong on a big Dugong display. “The festival was strongly supported through participation by leaders from different bodies, students, teachers and the public. Through this event we expect that Dugong enforcement activities will be strengthened and everyone will take action towards conservation of the Dugong and other endangered marine creatures”, said Mr. Nguyen Vu Khoi, WAR’s CEO. Please download the first press release here, more pictures here