[enviro-vlc] Weekly news bulletin E446

Thu Dec 8 22:08:28 EST 2011

E446 December 8, 2011

Top News

A full version of each news story can be obtained by accessing links
provided on our website

http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_446/E_446.html

Binh Duong: 14 Asiatic black bears transferred voluntarily

In November, the owner of a large bear farm in Thuan An district contacted
the Forest Protection Department (FPD) in Binh Duong province to voluntarily
transfer 14 Asiatic black bears (Selenarctos thibetanus) from his farm. The
FPD instructed its local department to transfer all the bears to the Animals
Asia Bear Sanctuary. On December 4, the bears were successfully delivered to
Tam Dao. This positive move represents a significant step towards bear
protection in Vietnam.

(Case Ref. 3856/ENV)

Ha Tinh: 50 kg of pangolin seized

On December 5, the Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department, part of the
Customs Department, at Treo Bridge International Border Gate discovered 11
pangolins (Manis javanica) hidden in a number of bags. All pangolins were
alive and had a total weight of about 50 kg. The Customs Department
transferred the pangolins to the FPD of Ha Tinh province. 

Pangolins belong to group IIB of Decree 32/ND-CP - the group of rare animals
restricted from being held in captivity, hunted, traded or killed.

Vietnamese version:

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=744>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=744

Quang Nam: 60 kg of wildlife seized

On November 30, the Crime Investigation Police team in Tam Ky district
stopped a motorbike in An Son Ward and discovered 10 plastic net bags which
were full of live wildlife, including pythons, turtles, ferrets and snakes.
The total weight of these wild animals was around 60 kg. All wildlife were
subsequently transferred to the Forest Protection Department of Quang Ngai
province. The case is still under investigation.

Vietnamese version:

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=730>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=730

Dak Lak: Transporting rare wild animals
On November 22, rangers in Cu Yang Sin National Park seized a subject
transporting a large blue bag which was full of  dead wildlife. The rangers
discovered 14 black-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix nigripes) and one stump-
tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides) in the bag. All animals were dried and
intact.  The subject and wildlife were transferred to the Police Department
in Krong Bong District, which has just initiated prosecution against the
subject for transporting rare, wild animals.

Black-shanked douc langurs belong to group IB and stump-tailed macaques
belong to group IIB of Decree 32/ND-CP - groups of rare wild animals
prohibited or limited from being held in captivity, hunted, traded or killed
respectively.

Vietnamese version:

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=736>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=736 

Cao Bang: Selling bamboo rats on Highway No. 3

Every day, many bamboo rats are sold to tourists in the area of Tai Ho Sin.
The local farmers catch bamboo rats in the bamboo forests and break their
teeth so that the rats can be handled . These rats are sold to tourists or
tranferred to Cao Bang town to sell to speciality restaurants serving
customers wildlife. Many people want to buy bamboo rats because of rumors
about their ability to improve male health. Large numbers of these rats have
been traded over  a long time period. If protection activities are not
implemented promptly, bamboo rats certainly face extinction.

Vietnamese version:

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=749>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=749 

Ho Chi Minh City: Seven hawksbill sea turtles transferred

On December 5, the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Center received seven hawksbill
sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) from Ho Chi Minh Fisheries Quality
Assurance and Aquatic Resources Protection Department. The turtles were
confiscated on their way to Ho Chi Minh City, where they were destined to be
eaten. All the turtles are said to have been in good condition and are being
taken care of by rescue officers until they are released into the
environment.

According to Decision 82/2008/QD- BNN, hawksbill sea turtles belong to the
group of rare aquatic species in need of protection, rehabilitation and
development.

Vietnamese version:

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=745>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=745 

International News

Six Chinese charged for catching turtles in the Philippines

On December 2, authorities of the Philippines discovered a batch of giant
green sea turtles after intercepting the speedboat of Chinese fishermen in
the waters off the western province of Palawan. Nine of the turtles were
already dead, but three were alive and released back into the waters after
being tagged. 

Six Chinese fishermen accused of poaching endangered green sea turtles were
charged in a Philippine court on December 5, as part of efforts to protect
threatened wildlife along the country's coastline. If found guilty of all
charges, the fishermen could face up to 24 years in prison. Green sea
turtles (Chelonia mydas) are often caught for food and for use in
traditional medicine. They are endangered because of overharvesting of both
eggs and adults.

Vietnamese version:

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=740>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=740 

ENV's activities

Upcoming event

The Southern provinces: Wild animal protection programs
>From 11 to 27 December, ENV will organize a number of activities to raise
awareness about protecting wildlife in several provinces in the South of
Vietnam. The programs will be conducted in Lam Dong, Dong Nai and Binh
Duong. The activities in each province include: a wildlife protection
exhibition, a bear exhibition, wildlife protection seminars at universities,
volunteer recruitment, a survey on the status of wildlife crime in these
provinces, and investigation and monitoring activities.

Committing not to use bear bile and bear products

Demands of using bear bile and bear products are pushing bears in Vietnam to
the edge of extinction. Moreover, bear bile is not a magic medicine and
could even be a harmful product. Save yourselves and help protect bears in
Vietnam from the threat of extinction, by joining the ENV online bear pledge
campaign 'Not to use bear bile and bear products'.

For further details please click:  <http://thiennhien.org/>
http://thiennhien.org

Stay up to date with ENV on Facebook

Join ENV's Facebook Page

The ENV team regularly updates our Facebook page with wildlife crime news,
interesting cases and information about our other work. Click on this link
to join us and help save Vietnam's wildlife:
<http://www.facebook.com/EducationforNatureVietnam>
http://www.facebook.com/EducationforNatureVietnam

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

Communication and Public Awareness Unit

Education for Nature - Vietnam 

No. 5, Lane 192 Thai Thinh, Dong Da District

Hanoi, Vietnam 

Phone/fax: +84 4 35148850 - ext: 402

E-mail:  communication.env at gmail.com

               communication.env at fpt.vn

Website: www.envietnam.org <http://www.envietnam.org/>  (English) 

  www.thiennhien.org <http://www.thiennhien.org/>   (Vietnamese) 

  www.savingvietnamswildlife.org <http://www.savingvietnamswildlife.org/>
(English wildlife trade website)

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