USAID seminar updates wildlife protection measures

September 18, 2015 | 09:19

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The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) and USAID Governance for Inclusive Growth (USAID GIG) co-organized a seminar on September 17 to update participants on wildlife protection measures throughout Vietnam.

Wildlife trafficking has occurred by road, sea and air routes in Vietnam. In August alone, customs officials processed four separate cases of trafficking, seizing 3,797kg of elephant tusks, 4,002kg of pangolin, and 142kg of rhino horn.

The illegal trade and transportation of wild animals has been very complex, especially recently.

Vuong Tien Manh, Deputy Director of CITES Management Authority Vietnam, said Vietnam is an epicenter wild animals imports from Africa and ASEAN. However, appropriate authorities face a number of challenges in preventing illegal wildlife goods being transported and traded.

GDVC’s Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department Deputy Director Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, praised USAID GIG’s support for the customs sector in coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to curb wildlife transportation and protection.

The customs sector urged international experts to share experience in combating wildlife trafficking and devise solutions to the problem.

Tuan underlined the need to intensify stronger coordination between domestic and foreign organizations and disseminate information about wildlife protection and encourage citizens not to use wild-animal products.

VOV

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