A campaign to raise public awareness of protecting wild animal and preventing illegal wildlife trade has recently been launched in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Titled “Where’s My Mama?”, the event is jointly held by the wildlife trade monitoring network (TRAFFIC) Southeast Asia under the World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia and The Body Shop.

It displays photos depicting baby animals which have become orphans after their mothers were killed in the belief that their bodies are able to cure diseases.

The campaign also aims to draw people’s attention to victims of the illegal wildlife trade, especially the White Rhinoceros and the Asiatic Black Bear.

According to Dr. Naomi Doak, Coordinator of TRAFFIC’s Southeast Asia-Greater Mekong Program, many people keep products made from wild animals without the awareness that they are helping to kill rare species. She also said it is important to detect, arrest and prosecute sellers and consumers of illegal wildlife products.

Photos are now on display at www.facebook.com/Trafficsea and The Body Shop stores in the two cities.