Agency Struggles To Fight Vietnam Wildlife Trade

by Patricia Collier

Hunting endangered animals is a crime in Vietnam, punishable by up to seven years in jail. But demand for the animals is increasing so much, policing agencies are struggling to enforce the law.

According to TRAFFIC, the monitoring arm of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN,) hunting rare species has become a international business.

Vietnamese view eating and consuming products from endangered animals as a status symbol. And restaurants and Chinese medicine shops are increasing their demands for the by-products of the animals, making it quite profitable to trade in rare species.

"Despite laws and decrees designed to prevent the pillaging of the country's natural wealth, law enforcement authorities lack the necessary training and are ill-equipped to stop the smugglers on their powerful motorcycles and high speed boats," a statement from TRAFFIC said.

In order to strengthen the laws against wildlife trade, a joint study is being developed for a 2004 to 2010 action plan, the organization said.

The study will be reviewed by Vietnamese government representatives, agencies and conservation organizations.

The plan will emphasize the training needs of law enforcement agencies and attempt to garner support for legislation to better regulate the trade.

It will also address education of consumers, traders and decision makers about the legal ramifications of the trade.

WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organizations. The group's first conservation project in Vietnam was started in the mid 1980s.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.