VietNamNet Bridge – Education for Nature-Viet Nam has launched a new website that will help people identify rare wild animals being targeted by the illegal animal trade.

The 40 species of wild animals include the elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis), king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha).

Director Tran Viet Hung said, "Up to hundreds of wild animals were illegally hunted or being raised as pets for use in traditional medicine everyday."

According to Hung, the global wildlife trade was estimated to be worth billions of dollars each year.

It is second only to the value of the illegal drug trade, he said.

The website will also help to guide the efforts of more than 3,800 volunteers trying to protect animals in 32 provinces and cities nation-wide. Visit the website at thiennhien.org or call the free hotline on 1800 1522.

Dak Nong grants licences to wildlife farms

The Forest Protection Division in Dak Nong Province has granted licenses to 50 farms to raise wildlife for profit in an effort to conserve endangered species.

More than 4,800 animals are now being kept at 50 wildlife farms, including more than 2,000 specimens of 11 endangered species. According to the division, these include the king cobra, Owston's civet and the Burmese python.

Licensed wildlife farms are periodically required to report their efforts and must abide by strict regulations on wildlife farming.

The Forest Protection Division has also set up many check points in border regions, forests and highways to control illegal hunting and trafficking activities.

Source: VNS