A local wildlife conservation organization recently reported a record rise in the number of youths joining its activities in the first few months of 2014, which is a positive sign of local young people’s involvement in the combat against rampant wildlife crime.

As Vietnam’s first non-governmental organization in nature conservation and environmental protection, the Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV) now has a membership of over 4,000 from 33 cities and provinces.

Most new young volunteers come from Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Thua Thien – Hue, Da Nang, Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City.

According to ENV, the surge is indicative of the young people’s increasing concern about the alarming wildlife poaching and trading in Vietnam. Some thousand wild animals are killed each day.

The volunteers can regularly join inspections at local businesses which have previously made wildlife violations to make sure they don’t repeat the offences.

They also report illegal poaching, keeping, display and trade of wildlife and related products to the organization.

ENV’s statistics revealed that by Oct 2013, the organization has received tips on roughly 5,400 wildlife violations through its toll-free hotline 1800-1522, email address hotline@fpt.vn and some other sources.

The volunteers have also been increasingly active in boosting their relatives’, friends’ and others’ awareness of wildlife conservation.

Founded in 2000, ENV aims to foster greater understanding among Vietnamese people about the need to protect nature and wildlife.

They also work closely with government partners to strengthen policies and directly support efforts in the protection of endangered species on the national, regional and global scales.