Vietnam's Illegal Wildlife Trade Exposed

Over 850 pounds of illegal wildlife from nearly 20 species was just seized from restaurants in Vietnam, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The law enforcement campaign is the largest of its kind in Vietnam's Lam Dong Province.

After sweeping through Da Lat City and surrounding towns, more than 100 officers from the Lam Dong Forest Protection Department confiscated the animals, which would have wound up in meals at restaurants.

The seized items included meat from wild pigs, civets, pangolins, porcupine, mouse deer, monitor lizards, bear paws, bamboo rats, snakes, and sambar deer.  Skins from black-shanked duoc langurs, clouded leopard, short-clawed otter, serow, muntjac, leopard cat, flying squirrel, common palm civet, binturong, and the small Indian civet were also seized.

Over a dozen restaurant owners have been arrested and fined.

“The detection and prosecution of restaurants illegally serving wildlife is a critical step in the battle for wildlife conservation in Vietnam,” said Tran Thanh Binh, Head of the Lam Dong Forest Protection Department. “The campaign today is our warning shot to illegal wildlife traders that Lam Dong province will not condone wildlife violators anymore.”

Scott Roberton, WCS Country Representative for Vietnam said, “WCS commends the strong and decisive actions of Lam Dong province on tackling wildlife trade in Da Lat City and hopes these seizures will be followed up with investigations to identify and prosecute the illegal traders behind the restaurants. The future of wildlife in Vietnam hangs in the balance, but with more agencies showing a strong commitment like Lam Dong Forest Protection Department, things could change for the better very quickly.”

“Illegal trade is the largest single threat to wildlife in Asia,” added Joe Walston, WCS director for Asia Programs. “Strict enforcement of existing laws, such as what is happening in Lam Dong, is crucial to stemming this crisis, so that wildlife can thrive for future generations.”

The WCS has also worked with popular American television shows that feature hosts consuming unusual foods in different countries. Such programs about Vietnam have been reedited, so as not to include the illegal wildlife.

(Credit for all images: Wildlife Conservation Society)

Douc langurs and other seized meat

Civets

FPD rangers seize products from a restaurant

Serow and other animals

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