Authorities in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, held a ceremony on Friday afternoon to launch a campaign against the illegal use of wildlife.

Speaking at the ceremony, Le Van Goi, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dong Nai Province, highlighted the ongoing demand for wildlife, which fuels illegal hunting. 

He emphasized that the new campaign aims to enhance law enforcement and inter-sectoral coordination to combat illegal wildlife trading and hunting.

The campaign will also involve media efforts to raise public awareness about not buying, selling, transporting, or slaughtering wild animals.

Nguyen Van Thai, director of Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, a not-for-profit acting for wildlife’s sake, warned that rare species once found in Vietnam’s forests, such as Indochinese tigers, rhinos, and saola, have not been seen for decades. 

Thai stressed the importance of involving Party committees, authorities, and community members in wildlife conservation efforts. 

Dong Nai Province, home to the Cat Tien National Park and Dong Nai Cultural Nature Reserve - both recognized as world biosphere reserves with high biodiversity, has implemented various measures to patrol and protect these areas. 

Despite these efforts, wildlife hunting persists. 

According to rangers at Cat Tien National Park, 42 cases involving 62 individuals were addressed in the first half of the year, with many caught setting traps and using firearms. 

However, the enforcement is uneffective due to a lack of authority, equipment, and appropriate regulations.

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