Vietnamese authorities and environmentalists expect to raise public awareness of the evils of wildlife trafficking after launching a new campaign at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.
The Don't Buy Trouble campaign consists of 15 evocative posters of some of Vietnam's most common illegally traded species, including tigers, Asiatic bears, elephants, rhinoceros, marine turtles, and pangolins (a scaly anteater). The posters warn that such species are protected by law and the trade in their products could result in fines and/or prosecution.
Also included in the exhibit is a permanent glass case displayed in the departures boarding area, which allows passengers waiting for flights to peruse information on wildlife trade in the region and see replicas of common illegal wildlife products, such as tiger bones and elephant tusks.
"Raising awareness among travellers regarding wildlife protection laws will be essential in halting the illegal and unsustainable trade that is pushing many species towards extinction in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia," said Pham Van Linh, vice chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Publicity and Education, and the lead organiser of the airport campaign.
Wildlife is commonly trafficked through airports worldwide, which also makes this transport hub an ideal place to educate people about the problem. Vietnam , like other countries in Southeast Asia , has developed in recent years as a source, consumer, and conduit of illegally traded wildlife products, with networks stretching worldwide.
Being the largest international airport in the north of Vietnam , serving nearly 4 million passengers annually, Noi Bai airport was chosen as a prime location in the battle against the illicit regional wildlife trade.
Similar campaigns have been conducted in other airports around Asia . "Bringing this successful campaign to Hanoi will highlight the global nature of wildlife trafficking and demonstrate that Vietnam is serious about halting this crime," said Tom Osborn, coordinator of the Greater Mekong Programme of TRAFFIC, which is an international wildlife trade monitoring network providing technical advice for the airport exhibition.
The display is among several activities of the four-year Wildlife Trade Campaign funded by the Embassy of Denmark, and conducted by TRAFFIC and the World Wildlife Fund that aims to raise awareness and change consumer behaviour regarding wildlife consumption.
The wildlife trade posters will be on display around the airport until May 2011, as colourful reminders to national and international travellers alike to think twice before purchasing protected wildlife products./.
The Don't Buy Trouble campaign consists of 15 evocative posters of some of Vietnam's most common illegally traded species, including tigers, Asiatic bears, elephants, rhinoceros, marine turtles, and pangolins (a scaly anteater). The posters warn that such species are protected by law and the trade in their products could result in fines and/or prosecution.
Also included in the exhibit is a permanent glass case displayed in the departures boarding area, which allows passengers waiting for flights to peruse information on wildlife trade in the region and see replicas of common illegal wildlife products, such as tiger bones and elephant tusks.
"Raising awareness among travellers regarding wildlife protection laws will be essential in halting the illegal and unsustainable trade that is pushing many species towards extinction in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia," said Pham Van Linh, vice chairman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Publicity and Education, and the lead organiser of the airport campaign.
Wildlife is commonly trafficked through airports worldwide, which also makes this transport hub an ideal place to educate people about the problem. Vietnam , like other countries in Southeast Asia , has developed in recent years as a source, consumer, and conduit of illegally traded wildlife products, with networks stretching worldwide.
Being the largest international airport in the north of Vietnam , serving nearly 4 million passengers annually, Noi Bai airport was chosen as a prime location in the battle against the illicit regional wildlife trade.
Similar campaigns have been conducted in other airports around Asia . "Bringing this successful campaign to Hanoi will highlight the global nature of wildlife trafficking and demonstrate that Vietnam is serious about halting this crime," said Tom Osborn, coordinator of the Greater Mekong Programme of TRAFFIC, which is an international wildlife trade monitoring network providing technical advice for the airport exhibition.
The display is among several activities of the four-year Wildlife Trade Campaign funded by the Embassy of Denmark, and conducted by TRAFFIC and the World Wildlife Fund that aims to raise awareness and change consumer behaviour regarding wildlife consumption.
The wildlife trade posters will be on display around the airport until May 2011, as colourful reminders to national and international travellers alike to think twice before purchasing protected wildlife products./.
