[enviro-vlc] Weekly news Bulletin E390

Fri Nov 5 22:10:03 EST 2010

 E390 November 5, 2010

Top News

Quang Tri: Green sea turtle released into sea
On November 2, Quang Tri's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development collaborated with Island Marine Protected Areas and local authorities to release a 60kg Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) into the sea. The turtle was caught by a local fisherman at sea on October 28. Before its release the turtle was tagged with a positioning card for tracking. 

The Green sea turtle is one of five rare sea turtle species and can be found in Vietnam. According to CITES, the turtle heads the list of endangered species threatened with extinction, and is forbidden by Vietnamese law to be exploited or used for commercial purposes.

(Vietnamese version)

Quang Tri: Tha con vich nang hon 60 kg ve bien

Hanoi: King cobra takes ride in taxi
On October 31, the Investigative Police Agency of Dong Da district took two people into custody for the illegal trade and transportation of wildlife. On October 28, police checked a taxi and discovered a carton containing a large cobra tied in mesh bags. At the time of inspection, the owners of the goods could not produce ownership papers and later admitted to buying the King cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah) for almost 10 million VND. The King cobra falls under group IB - the group of rare wild animals forbidden to be in captivity, hunted, traded or killed. Authorities will transfer the cobra to the Soc Son Rescue Center shortly.

(Vietnamese version)

Ran ho mang chua di taxi

Hanoi: Ancient village temple tree cut down

On October 25, Chuong My district police discovered a truck carrying 2.506 m3 of red-wood timber (Dalbergia tonkinensis), classified as a Group 1A rare timber, for which exploitation for commercial use is prohibited. The timber was sold to two men for 21 billion VND. The Chuong My police station is currently coordinating the investigation. 

(Vietnamese version)

Cay sua hang tram nam tuoi bi don ha

Dak Lak: Highland yew tree at risk of extinction

The yew (Glyptostrobus pensilis) is a subtropical species endemic. Two areas in Dak Lak where the yews are present is being logged around the clock despite laws against deforestation. According to the latest statistics, Dak Lak province has around 250 yew trees aged between 50 to 600 years surviving but facing extinction. Investigative police from Krong Nang district have recently prosecuted two people accused of purchasing, storing and processing 2.646 m3 of yew timber.

(Vietnamese version)

Thuy tung Tay Nguyen truoc nguy co tuyet chung

ENV's activities

ENV participates in live VOV program about how to deal with confiscated wildlife

This weekend on November 6, ENV and the Vietnam National Museum of Nature will participate in a live VOV radio program to discuss and exchange ideas about the question: How can we deal with wildlife seized from illegal trade to act as both a deterrent and legally protect the species?

The Vietnamese government is now facing many difficulties in dealing with illegal wildlife that is confiscated. Confiscated wildlife in many cases cannot be returned to the wild or housed at rescue centers, therefore transfer to a scientific research institute or destruction of the animals is the best way to preserve rare wildlife. Even though proceeds from the sale of confiscated wildlife greatly contribute to the state budget, we should aspire to protect the long-term interests of the community and the environment. 

The program will be aired at 10:05 am on November 06 on FM 100 MHz

Mobile Team in Nghe An

>From October 26-28, ENV's Mobile Team and Volunteer Network were busy conducting a range of activities in Nghe An, encouraging public participation in efforts for the protection of bears by pledging not to consume bear bile or bear products.

A Bear Protection Campaign was held in the town's market and attracted the attention of hundreds of people. Most local residents in the area were not fully aware of problems related to bear farms. The notion of wildlife protection was new to many of them, and ENV's publications such as Green forest on Bear issue, bear posters, cards, fact sheets, and Public Service Announcements on local radio were all well received. Around 300 locals pledged not to use bear bile during the event. 

The ENV Mobile Team also surveyed 51 of the 71 bear farms around Quynh Luu district and legal documents on bear protection were sent to bear farmers to keep them up-to-date with relevant laws. According to statistics provided by the Nghe An Forest Protection Department (FPD), there are approximately 251 bears in 122 bear farms in Nghe An. However the actual numbers of bears varied considerably with registered numbers in the 51 bear farms surveyed. The farmers explained the variation by claiming they bought or sold the bears a long time ago and had not reported the sales to the FPD.

http://envietnam.org/library/Sub%20parts%20of%20news-activities/Mobile_Team_in_Nghe_An.html

Stay up to date with ENV on Facebook

Join ENV's Facebook Group

The ENV team regularly updates our Facebook group with wildlife crime news, interesting cases and information about our other work. Click on this link to join our group and help save Vietnam's wildlife: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47162312016

Please note:  Past bulletins can be found on ENV's website www.envietnam.org

Communication and Public Awareness Department 

Education for Nature - Vietnam 
No. 5, Lane 192 Thai Thinh, Dong Da District
Hanoi, Vietnam 
Phone/fax: +84 4 3514-8850 
E-mail: env at fpt.vn  
www.envietnam.org  (English) 
www.thiennhien.org  (Vietnamese) 
www.savingvietnamswildlife.org  (English wildlife trade website) 

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