(VN) Tackling wildlife trade in Viet Nam

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----- Forwarded by /wwfindia on 09/22/2009 11:39 AM -

 

*Meeting discusses wildlife trafficking*

 

(21-09-2009)

 

LAI CHAU � More than 350 communications officers met last week in

northwestern Lai Chau Province to discuss the illegal trade in wildlife across

national borders.

 

Presentations were given by members of the wildlife trade monitoring network

TRAFFIC and the Viet Nam Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources.

 

Speakers highlighted the need to promote sustainable use and conservation of

natural resources by reducing wildlife consumption and ending illegal

wildlife trade.

 

The officers received information on wildlife trade that could be

distributed to their respective districts and organisations.

 

Unsustainable wildlife consumption and a lucrative illicit trade are

threatening the country's unique biodiversity, according to TRAFFIC.

 

Numerous species including the tiger, Asian Elephant and the *Saola* risk

regional extinction, as heightened demand for wildlife meat and products

continues to fuel high levels of trade and consumption.

 

" Only by raising public awareness and concern for conservation will Viet

Nam's threatened wildlife be saved, " said Tom Osborn, acting head of

TRAFFIC's programme in the Greater Mekong region.

 

Lai Chau Province is located near the border with China and Laos, where

endangered plants and animals are illegally smuggled across the borders.

 

Using government-sponsored communication outlets to raise awareness is one

strategy TRAFFIC has pursued as part of a wildlife trade campaign co-run

with the World Wide Fund for Nature and funded by the Royal Danish Embassy.

 

The campaign's goal is to conserve the country's wildlife by changing

consumption attitudes and behaviour in Viet Nam. VNS