Dong Nai (VNA) - A workshop to kick off a series of activities under the theme of “Dong Nai povince says 'no' to the illegal use of wildlife” was jointly held by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Wildlife Conservation Centre in Vietnam at the Cat Tien National Park in the southern locality on August 23.
The event aims to strengthen law enforcement and inter-agency coordination in combating the crimes of trafficking and poaching of wild animals.
According to Le Van Goi, Vice Director of the department, with its large area of natural forests, Dong Nai boasts the richest biodiversity in the Southeastern region. Wildlife species primarily inhabit the Cat Tien National Park and the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, which are home to 110 and 140 rare and endangered species, respectively.
In recent years, relevant units in Dong Nai have excelled in protecting wildlife habitats, effectively preventing the crimes against the wildlife. They have successfully conserved various species, particularly Asian elephants and black-shanked douc langurs, and monitored endangered and rare species through camera trapping. Projects to restore habitats by providing drinking water and salt licks for wild animals were implemented, while a rescue centre for bears and primates was established.
At the workshop, the department urged relevant agencies to collaborate in strengthening law enforcement to combat the crimes; conducting campaigns to raise awareness and responsibility of food service businesses regarding the prohibition of illegal hunting, trading, and using wild animals; and promoting the development of sustainable livelihoods for communities living near forests to minimise illegal human impact on forested areas.
Since 2020, the local forest rangers have handled 95 administrative and criminal cases involving wildlife law violations, resulting in the confiscation of 1,200 animals and over 43 kilogrammes of various wild animals. Dong Nai has also received, cared for, rescued, and released thousands of wild animals back into their natural habitats./.
