ENV’s Wildlife Crime Unit
In 2005, ENV established its Wildlife Crimes Unit (WCU), an innovative program designed to reduce the public consumption of wildlife, support the efforts of enforcement agencies in dealing with wildlife crimes and most importantly, to encourage public participation in efforts to stop the wildlife trade.
» more about ENV's Wildlife Crime Unit » visit the ENV Website
The WCU operates a national toll-free hotline, which provides a way for members of the public to report wildlife crimes, anonymously and free of charge, in their own local areas. Once the WCU receives a report, it tracks each case through to the end, ensuring that it is appropriately dealt with by the appropriate functional authorities, and documenting the outcome of the case, including the punishment given out to perpetrators. The WCU also helps to ensure that that any rescued animals are taken to safe homes. Since January 2005, the WCU has addressed over 1000 cases.
In 2007, the WCU also established a national Wildlife Protection Volunteer Network, to provide concerned people throughout Vietnam with a way to get more actively involved in protecting their country's wildlife. The WCU trains these volunteers, and then coordinates their efforts to report wildlife violations and assist with monitoring of wildlife consumer establishments.
We have recently produced a short video about turtles being hunted in Vietnam and shipped to China to be killed.
Hot News
October 2008
Local resident turns in gibbon to authorities (October 14, 2008)
After 13 years of captivity, a local resident voluntarily turned over a yellow-cheeked gibbon to authorities. The gibbon will be transferred to a rescue center at Cat Tien National Park.
Khanh Hoa macaques released (October 14, 2008)
Two macaques kept at a guest house were confiscated by wildlife protection officers in Khanh Hoa province after ENV received a tip from a foreign visitor.
Ha Tinh langur turned in by resident (October 13, 2008)
A local resident contacted the ENV hotline to request assistance in transferring a Ha Tinh langur that he had bought from a local hunter in Quang Binh province. The langur was later transferred to a resuce center.
Bear confiscated in Dien Bien (October 10, 2008)
A Malayan sun bear was confiscated from a local resident in Dien Bien province after a neighbor saw an ENV public service announcement urging people to get involved in stopping the trade of bears and contacted local authorities. The bear was later transferred to the Tam Dao Bear Rescue Center.
September 2008
Snake wine confiscated from restaurants in Vinh (September 26, 2008)
Nghe An rangers confiscated wine jars full of snakes from two restaurants after volunteers from the Wildlife Volunteer Network discovered the illegal snake wine during regular monitoring. Warnings were issued to both restaurant owners.
Snake trader in Ninh Binh nabbed (September 15, 2008)
Following a tip through the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline, Ninh Binh rangers raided a house in Kim Son district and confiscated 5.5 kg of snakes.
Squirrel confiscated from shop in Hanoi (September 15, 2008)
Rangers in Hanoi confiscated a squirrel being kept outside a shop on Tran Hung Dao street following a call to the ENV hotline from a Hanoi resident. The squirrel was transferred to Soc Son Rescue Center.
Macaques set free in An Giang province (September 14, 2008)
Rangers in An Giang released two macaques back into nature following confiscation from a local army unit. The macaques were initially reported to ENV by a foreign tourist.
Sun bear confiscated from home (September 12, 2008)
Dien Bien rangers confiscated a Malayan sun bear from a resident’s home after receiving a tip from the public. The bear was transferred to the Tam Dao Bear Rescue facility operated by AAF.
One ton shipment confiscated in An Giang (September 4, 2008)
An Giang police and rangers confiscated more than one ton of snakes, monitors, and soft-shell turtles from a shipment originating in Cambodia.
August 2008
Hoa Binh restaurant to stop advertising bear bile (August 31, 2008)
A restaurant in Hoa Binh will no longer offer bear bile, following receipt of a warning notice from ENV advising the owner that he was in violation of the law, and warning that his restaurant was targeted for regular monitoring and inspection.
Hanoi restaurant owner removes wine (August 31, 2008)
A Hanoi restaurant owner agreed to stop selling bear paw and pangolin wine after receiving a warning letter ENV. Monitoring will be conducted to ensure compliance.
44 Bear Paws Confiscated (August 29, 2008)
Hanoi police confiscated 44 bear paws from two men on a motorcycle. The men face criminal prosecution and attempted bribery charges.
Lam Dong restaurant agrees to remove sign (Log August 15, 2008)
A Lam Dong restaurant owner removed a sign offering bear bile after discussions with ENV case officers advising the owner that advertising the sale of protect species is illegal. Volunteers in Lam Dong will ensure that the owner follows through with her commitment.
Thua Thien Hue restaurant owner volunteers to remove menu offering wildlife (August 15, 2008)
A restaurant owner voluntarily removed a menu advertising civet and porcupine dishes after discussions with an ENV case officer.
Hoa Binh restaurant warned (August 4, 2008)
In August, a Hoa Binh restaurant was inspected by rangers after ENV monitors discovered that the owner was serving wildlife to customers. Rangers discovered and confiscated a monitor lizard and fined the owner.
July 2008
Guest house is no place for macaque (Case log July 30, 2008)
Following a report by a foreign tourist to the ENV Hotline, wildlife officers in Thua Thien Hue province confiscated a macaque from a guest house where the animal had been displayed. The macaque was released in July at a Nature Reserve.
Macaques rescued from Da Nang Restaurant (July 30, 2008)
Da Nang rangers and Environmental Police confiscated macaques from two different restaurants in Da Nang city after ENV Wildlife Volunteers reported animals during regular monitoring. The macaques were both released at a local nature reserve.
Agriculture Department Orders Bear bile sign removed (Log July 30, 2008)
Provincial inspectors ordered a sign offering bear bile removed from outside a private home after a local resident reported the crime to the ENV hotline.
Porcupines seized in restaurant inspection (Log July 15, 2008)
Hanoi wildlife officers confiscated three brush-tailed porcupines from a restaurant and fined the owner 2.2million VND. The restaurant selling wildlife was first reported to ENV in December 2006, but previous inspections by wildlife officers had failed to yield results.
Da Nang Police and Rangers Seize Wildlife in Wine (Log July 15, 2008)
A restaurant inspection by authorities following reports by ENV Wildlife Volunteers netted nine live and 25 frozen water dragons, along with jars of wine containing a leopard cat, bear paws, monitor lizard, and deer antlers. The illegal wildlife products were later destroyed.
Website removes advertisement (July 4, 2008)
An advertisement offering bear bile and tiger claws was removed from a website after ENV case officers warned the website administrator that advertising protected wildlife was a violation of the law. The website was first reported to ENV through the hotline.
Bear Bile 100% Cruel. Open your eyes to the truth (July 30, 2008)
New advertisement highlights the cruel nature of bear bile extraction and calls on the public to stop the pain inflicted on bears by not using bear bile.
Wildlife Crime Bulletin (July 2008)
The latest wildlife crime bulletin by ENV covering the period of March – June 2008. Feature story on “Who is protecting Vietnam’s endangered wildlife?”
Bear confiscated by police in Hanoi (July 17, 2008)
Hanoi Environmental Police confiscated an illegal bear and two stump-tailed macaques after receiving information from a Hanoi resident through the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline. The seizure is particularly important in light of the fact that authorities in other provinces have been hesitant to confiscate illegal bears, and in some cases, have allowed owners to keep animals after fines are administered. The Hanoi Environmental Police acted quickly and professionally setting an example for other authorities to follow. A job well done!
Leopard cat rescued from restaurant (July 2, 2008)
Environmental police confiscated a leopard cat from a restaurant in Hanoi after a foreign visitor reported the cat to the Wildlife Crime Hotline. The leopard cat was subsequently transferred to the Soc Son Rescue Center.
Meet the ENV Wildlife Crime Team
Meet the people at ENV that are fighting to protect Vietnam’s wildlife every day, and making a difference!
Link to doc