[enviro-vlc] Weekly news bulletin E433

Thu Sep 8 20:41:18 EST 2011

E433 September 8, 2011

Top News

 A full version of each story can be obtained by accessing links provided on
our website
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_433/E_433.html

Dak Lak: Wild elephant herd reported in Yok Don National Park

Early in the morning of September 3, an elephant herd was reported roaming
in 418 sub-area, Yok Don National Park, in the Central Highlands province of
Dak Lak. The herd, consisting of 32 individuals, knocked down demarcation
poles and may have caused damage to 10 hectares of corn grown by local
residents.

According to the head of the Forestry Protection Station No. 08, the
elephants were immediately reported to heads of the National Park, and local
residents were warned about the the animals so that they could take safety
measures.

Vietnamese version:

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=593>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=593

Quang Tri: Wildlife trade on highway needs to be stopped

Highway 9 in Quang Tri Province is considered to be a main artery of the
East-West Economic Corridor, connecting Vietnam with other countries in
Southeast Asia. Despite media reports, the illegal trade of wild animals
still occurs daily on the highway and is becoming increasingly blatant and
sophisticated. Illegal wildlife trade causes the disappearance of many wild
animals from the Truong Son forest area of Quang Tri province.

Quang Tri conservation center has sheltered many rare wildlife species,
including more than 85 kinds of wild birds and other animals registered in
the Vietnamese Red Book. Many of these species have endangered status, due
to ongoing illegal hunting in the area without consequences from provincial
authorities.

Vietnamese version:

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=596>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=596

Bac Ninh: Pangolins seized from car

According to Cong An Nhan Dan online newspaper, on August 30, Environmental
Police coordinating with Bac Ninh Police, stopped a car containing a sack of
pangolins weighing a total of 500 kg. The pangolins were being illegally
transported in the car by a man from Ha Tinh.

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

Vietnamese version:

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=595>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=newsView&id=595

Quang Binh: Species 'extinct' for 11 million years found in Vietnam

A rare species of rat has been found in Quang Binh Province, which was
previously believed to have become extinct 11 million years ago.

Scientists discovered the animal amid other rats which were trapped by the
Ruc ethnic group, in On Village, Minh Hoa District. The animal, which was
caught in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, looks like a cross between a
rat, a squirrel and a civet. To locals it is known as 'Ninh Cung'.

Tests have shown that the species was actually the Laotian Rock Rat, or
Laonastes aenigmamus. 

Based on fossil evidence, the species was previously believed to have been
extinct for around 11 million years. However, in 2005 the finding of a
specimen put the scientific community into an uproar. This is the second
Laotian rock rat to be found since then.

Vietnamese version

 <http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=about&parent=0&id=411>
http://thiennhien.org/index.php?page=about&parent=0&id=411

Dien Bien: Two bear cubs rescued

On August 25, Dien Bien FPD coordinated with Tuan Giao police to stop a bike
and discovered two Asiatic black bear cubs (Selenarctos thibetanus) weighing
10 kg each. The violator could not provide any legal documents for the
origin of the bears. Local authorities are in the process of further
investigation.

The two bear cubs are being temporarily kept in Dien Bien FPD office and
authorities plan to transfer them to a bear rescue center next week.

Bears are rare species listed in group IB of Decree 32/ND-CP - the group of
rare wild animals forbidden to be exploited or used for commercial purposes.

(Case Ref. 3662/ ENV)

ENV's Activities

Quang Tri: Seizure of rhesus macaque from coffee shop

On September 01, a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) was released into Vinh
Linh forest by Vinh Linh FPD. The macaque was kept at a coffee shop in Vinh
Linh district of Quang Tri province. After receiving information provided by
a volunteer, ENV immediately contacted Vinh Linh FPD with the information.
The rhesus macaque was found to be in good health, with a weight of 2.5 kg. 

The owner claimed that the macaque was a gift from her cousin and she was
not aware that it was illegal to keep it.

(Case Ref. 3660/ ENV)

http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_433/Quang_Tri_Seizure_of_rhesus_macaque_from_c
offee_shop.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>
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47162312016

Please note:  Past bulletins can be found on ENV's website
<http://www.envietnam.org/> 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 35148850 - ext: 201, 202

E-mail:   <mailto:communication.env at gmail.com> communication.env at gmail.com

              <mailto:communication.env at fpt.vn> communication.env at fpt.vn

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

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

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

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