https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us RSS feeds for WCS Viet Nam 60 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/24090/First-Portable-eDNA-Test.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=24090 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=24090&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/24090/First-Portable-eDNA-Test.aspx Scientists Develop First Portable eDNA Test Which Is Able to Detect One of the Rarest of the Rare Wildlife Species, a Swinhoe’s Softshell turtle, in a Massive Body of Water With only two known to exist, the only hope for the long-term survival of this species is finding additional Swinhoe’s softshell turtles to assist in breeding efforts Links to photos HERE. (3 photos: turtle, eDNA kit, person collecting water samples) Link to Study HERE (Pictured above, one of the two last known Swinhoe’s softshell turtles (Rafetus swinhoei). This photo was taken in May of 2022 in Dong Mo Lake, Vietnam.) New York, January 15, 2025 – Scientists have developed and validated a, first-of-its-kind, portable environmental DNA (eDNA) test to help detect the world’s rarest turtle, the Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), which is teetering on the brink of extinction. Two of these turtles are currently known to exist, one wild animal in Vietnam (sex unknown) and one captive male in China (over 100 years old). Additional Swinhoe’s softshell turtles need to be found in order to breed these turtles successfully in captivity and rescue this species. This new test will help determine if others may still be living in unexplored and understudied lakes, reservoirs, and other large bodies of water. This test, currently being used in the field, can also be adapted to inform field surveys or help find other elusive and threatened species. EDNA testing was first initiated by the Asian Turtle Program of Indo-Myanmar Conservation (ATP-IMC) in 2013. In collaboration with a laboratory at Washington State University, they obtained the first positive result for the Swinhoe’s Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei Softshell Turtle DNA in a water sample collected from Xuan Khanh Lake, Son Tay District, Hanoi, Vietnam. Tim McCormack, ATP-IMC Program Director said, “Our early data showed the feasibility that eDNA testing could be used to detect this turtle species in its natural environment. Although challenging in large lakes and bodies of water, we did have some success with this technique; importantly, this showed that eDNA could be a viable method in confirming additional Swinhoe’s Softshell Turtles in the wild at other locations, with every individual important if this species is to survive.”  The breakthrough portable DNA test was developed through a multi-year collaborative effort, started in 2016 by the WCS Zoological Health Program based at the Bronx Zoo, WCS Vietnam, in partnership with the ATP-IMC, and the Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (CRES) in Vietnam. The goal of the project was to develop a sensitive and specific portable eDNA water test to detect a known individual of Swinhoe’s Softshell Turtle, confirmed through a previous capture and regular photographing of the individual living in Dong Mo Lake, a massive 3000 acre (1260 hectare) body of water located in the outskirts of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Turtles shed their DNA into the environment through urine, feces, and skin cells, but DNA can degrade over time and be diluted in such large water bodies, presenting challenges when detecting in environments with very few individuals. The partners, as noted in a newly published scientific paper in Environmental DNA, explain how the new portable eDNA test kit was successfully applied to detect eDNA from the Swinhoe’s softshell turtle in a massive body of water. The portable kit uses qPCR technology, which stands for quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and is a technology used for detecting DNA of targeted species. eDNA methodology has been suggested to be one of the most cost-effective approaches to species detection for both enhancing and reducing the cost of traditional survey methods, with traditional methodologies particularly challenging for very rare species. However, most eDNA methods require transporting samples to specialized laboratories, leading to long lag periods between sample collection and result reporting. Said Dr. Minh Le, Head of Department of Natural Resources and Conservation -  CRES:  “The portable eDNA test has allowed conservationists to be trained in and carry out the qPCR testing in real-time on the ground. This also bypasses the need to export the samples out of the region or country to specialized labs. This project has also enhanced our in-country lab capacity to undertake additional testing that is needed to confirm results.”  As of 2024, with two known Swinhoe’s softshell turtles, one (male) at the Suzhou Zoo in China and the other (sex unknown) in Xuan Khanh Lake, Vietnam, the only hope for the long-term survival of this species is finding additional, as yet undiscovered animals that have thus far eluded detection by traditional survey methods. Teams are continuing to use this new test in additional lakes in Vietnam to hopefully find other Swinhoe’s softshell turtles.  Previous attempts with artificial insemination several years ago with a captive male and female, both over 100 years old, at the Suzhou Zoo in China were unsuccessful, and the female at the zoo died in 2019. Dr. Tracie Seimon, Director of the WCS Zoological Health Program’s Molecular Laboratory and lead author of the paper, said: “This project proved that we could use eDNA to detect an extremely rare species in a very large lake, and demonstrates that portable eDNA testing can be applied as a conservation tool to help detect the rarest of the rare of species in a natural environment. This is truly groundbreaking for conservation research.” Said Thuy Hoang, Director of WCS Vietnam and a co-author of the Environmental DNA paper: “The goal of this study was to develop a test that conservationists can use to enhance our survey work by shortening the time needed to confirm the presence of a species at a site. In addition, we learned from our study that pooling multiple samples together from one habitat before testing is a cost-effective strategy to enable detection over a much larger area while using fewer tests. We plan to continue eDNA testing in our search for the Swinhoe’ Softshell Turtles in other unexplored and understudied lakes with the hope of finding more individuals. By finding other individuals, we may succeed in our overall goal, which is to prevent the species from going extinct.” The authors emphasized in their report: “Using this test can expand the search for R. swinhoei in unexplored and understudied lakes, reservoirs and other bodies of water where this species may be present and could inform field surveys utilizing eDNA for other threatened species that are rare in nature.” ### Nguyen, Thang Thu, 16 Jan 2025 06:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:24090 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/22122/National-Dissemination-Workshop-for-One-Health-surveillance-for-SARS-CoV-2-at-the-Human-Animal-Environment-Interface-in-Viet-Nam-with-a-focus-on-free-ranging-and-captive-wildlife.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=22122 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=22122&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/22122/National-Dissemination-Workshop-for-One-Health-surveillance-for-SARS-CoV-2-at-the-Human-Animal-Environment-Interface-in-Viet-Nam-with-a-focus-on-free-ranging-and-captive-wildlife.aspx National Dissemination Workshop for “One Health surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface in Viet Nam with a focus on free-ranging and captive wildlife” On March 15, 2024, in Ha Noi, about 45 representatives from Vietnamese government agencies, and international and non-governmental organizations joined the national dissemination workshop for “One Health Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface in Viet Nam with a focus on free-ranging and captive wildlife”. The surveillance project was co-implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Viet Nam Office (WCS Viet Nam) and the Department of Animal Health (DAH), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Institution of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) during the period of July 2022 – March 2024, with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) and Health Security Partners (HSP). Representatives of animal health, human health, and forest protection agencies and laboratories including DAH, MARD; General Department of Preventive Medicine (GDPM), Ministry of Health (MOH); Regional Animal Health Offices No. 3 and 6; National Center for Veterinary Diagnosis (NCVD); Provincial Department of Animal Health and Production (sub-DAH) in Dong Nai and Nghe An provinces, Provincial Forest Protection Departments (FPD) of Dong Nai and Nghe An provinces, and Cuc Phuong and Pu Mat National Parks and research institutions of Vietnam National University of Agriculture such as Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) attended the workshop. Participants in the workshop, Ha Noi, March 2024 To improve existing surveillance capacity for SARS-CoV-2 at the human-animal-environment interface in Viet Nam, WCS Viet Nam collaborated with DAH and IEBR to develop multiple activities on policy development, disease surveillance to monitor SARS-CoV-2 in wild animals and build capacity within the Vietnamese government agencies at the central level laboratories and in Dong Nai, Nghe An, and Ninh Binh provinces through training and involvement in project activities.   In coordination with the DAH and IEBR, different high-risk settings were selected for SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus surveillance including bat roosts, wildlife farms, and wildlife rescue centers.  During the project period (July 2022-March 2024), 2,856 samples were collected in total from 964 individual animals, including bats, civets, deer, dogs, pangolins, wild boar, bamboo rats, porcupines, and other rescued carnivores. A total of 1,416 samples were screened for SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses. The final results showed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in two dogs raised in different civet and deer farms in Nghe An. Additionally, a bat from Pu Mat National Park, Nghe An province tested positive for a betacoronavirus (Cynopterus sphinx). The results from these surveillance activities were shared with the DAH and local authorities.                                                                                          During field work activities, a total of 44 officers (from IEBR, RAHO 3, RAHO 6, Pu Mat National Park, officers from sub-DAH, district FPDs, Center of Agriculture Services, District Health Centers...in Dong Nai and Nghe An) completed training on the use of personal protective equipment and sample collection and transportation. In addition, WCS Viet Nam and DAH jointly developed a guidance document on SARS-CoV-2 surveillance of wildlife in Viet Nam for provincial authorities, interested organizations, and individuals in the wildlife sector, including veterinary, medical, and forest rangers. These agencies can use the guidance to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 virus for disease prevention, early detection, and treatment measures to proactively reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 virus spread to wildlife (including free-ranging and farmed wild animals). Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh, Director of CDC’s One Health Office shared: “Conducting One Health surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 is necessary to track variants and mutations and to understand how SARS-CoV-2 spreads between people and animals. CDC and HSP are proud to have partnered with WCS Viet Nam to support this important work. The activities conducted through this project have not only strengthened wildlife surveillance in Viet Nam, but have also led to the development of guidance that can further support the advancement of One Health practices and policies throughout the country. WCS Viet Nam's successful coordination efforts to engage wildlife, human, and environmental agencies is commendable and an excellent example for other countries hoping to advance One Health activities that involve wildlife sampling.” Dr. Nguyen Van Long, Director General of the DAH, MARD delivered the opening speech, Ha Noi, March 2024 Dr. Nguyen Van Long, Director General of the DAH, MARD emphasized: “Viet Nam shares the global concern regarding the wildlife health disease monitoring system development at the national level. We also recognize the lack of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronavirus surveillance activities in wildlife in high-risk human-animal-environment interfaces in Viet Nam. Given that context, this SARS-CoV-2 surveillance project promoted the incorporation of COVID-19 into the national health monitoring system to identify and address its threats to wildlife, and human populations.” Ms. Hoang Bich Thuy, Country Representative of WCS Viet Nam delivered the opening speech, Ha Noi, March 2024 Ms. Hoang Bich Thuy, Country Representative of WCS Viet Nam, shared: “Our main objective was to improve existing surveillance capacity for SARS-CoV-2 at the human-animal-environment interface in Viet Nam. Our surveillance project emerged from a collaborative effort between animal health, wildlife management, and conservation agencies. This One Health approach, emphasizing cooperation and coordination on staff time and other resources among human, animal, and environment agencies, although their participation was still limited, at the provincial level is crucial for optimizing the effectiveness of individual sector surveillance systems and establishing strong linkages between them.”   Several on-going challenges in implementing SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in wildlife in Viet Nam were identified during the meeting. Participants also discussed potential resources and opportunities to resolve the highlighted challenges and gaps, including a focus on: How relevant functional agencies and organizations can contribute to build a sustainable national system for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and, What supportive activities can be recommended for future projects to enhance and scale up surveillance, like standardizing SARS-CoV-2 surveillance into routine emerging infectious disease risk prevention and mitigation measures. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Download documents and photos at the following link. For details, please contact: Nguyen Dinh Thang, Communication Support Officer, WCS Viet Nam Office 106, D Building, No. 3 Thanh Cong Street, Thanh Cong Ward, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam  Telephone: 024 3514 9750 Mobile phone: 0339519500 Email: thnguyen@wcs.org   About DAH: The Department of Animal Health (DAH) was established in 1966. DAH is the government organization directly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), performing advisory functions, assisting the Minister in state management and organizing law enforcement on disease prevention and control, veterinary medicine and vaccines, food safety and animal products, under the management authority of MARD, as decentralized and authorized by the Minister. Website: https://cucthuy.gov.vn/   About WCS: WCS has worked in Viet Nam since 2006 with a focus on combating the illegal wildlife trade. WCS works to degrade, disrupt, and dismantle wildlife trafficking networks and reduce poaching pressure on wildlife populations. We facilitate collaboration and cross-agency action at domestic and international scales between key law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, natural resource regulatory agencies, and domestic and international non-governmental organizations. Our efforts have led to enhanced enforcement effectiveness through the successful arrest, prosecution, and conviction of wildlife criminals. Website: https://vietnam.wcs.org/ Nguyen, Thang Thu, 14 Mar 2024 09:49:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:22122 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/18020/Mock-trial-for-law-students.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=18020 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=18020&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/18020/Mock-trial-for-law-students.aspx Ho Chi Minh city, September 9, 2022 - University of Law, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) - Viet Nam Program in collaboration with School of Law - Vietnam National University, Hanoi (LS - VNU), Ho Chi Minh City University of Law and University of Law - Hue University organized mock trials on "Adjudication of wildlife crime cases". The mock trials are a part of the project “Combating Wildlife Trafficking in Viet Nam” funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), United States Department of State. Students role-played in the mock trial, Ho Chi Minh City, September 2022 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoang Hai - Acting Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Que Anh - Dean of School of Law - Vietnam National University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doan Duc Luong - Rector of University of Law - Hue University, Ms. Hoang Bich Thuy, Country Director of WCS Viet Nam and more than 100 lecturers and students of three universities attended face-to-face the mock trials. There are students from relevant univeristies attending virtually through the fanpages of the universities and WCS. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoang Hai - Acting Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law delivered the opening remark, Ho Chi Minh City, September 2022 In the opening remarks, Assoc. Dr. Tran Hoang Hai - Acting Rector of Ho Chi Minh City University of Law said: “After participating the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1994, Viet Nam has made many efforts to reform the legal framework on wildlife protection through amending and improving a lot of legal documents, and revising stronger punishments. However, the situation of violation of wildlife law is still complicated. Is that because of ineffective law enforcement action or punishments are not strong enough for deterrence, or any other reasons?..” …”Integrating wildlife law protection topics into pre-service training program will help students understand their responsibility.  The mock-trials not only help students to challenge, study, exchange judicial knowledge and skills but also provide opportunities for teachers and lecturers to further improve the training programs, meeting the needs of the labor forces." Ms. Hoang Bich Thuy, Country Director of WCS Viet Nam added: “According to the survey results done by selected lecturers of the School of Law - Vietnam National University, Hanoi in collaboration with WCS conducted in 2022 in Viet Nam, the integration of legal framework on wildlife protection in law training programs in Viet Nam will become very crucial, specially in an alarming situation of violations of regulations on wildlife protection and the need for human resources in law enforcement and judicial agencies related to wildlife protection. In the discussion with representatives of 20 surveyed law training institutions, legal framework and regulations on wildlife protection was not commonly done therefore, the mock trials are not only an opportunity for students to practice knowledge and skills into the process of adjudicating wildlife criminal cases, but also valuable teaching materials for participating schools, and at the same time mock trials help raise awareness on wildlife protection law among students.” Students played role of prosecutor in the first mock trial, Ho Chi Minh City, September 2022 Started in early August 2022, the mock trials has attracted nearly 150 students from three universities. In the preliminary round, students had completed essays expressing their interest in wildlife protection and mock trial activities. 60 students were inititally selected to continue to randomly selecte one of the five wildlife life crime cases, and recorded a video presentation of points to prove in the cases. The contest helped students improve knowledge on wildlife protection laws; especially violations of the criminal law on wildlife protection. After the selection process, about 30 outstanding students continued to participate in the training course for each position group, including Judge, Prosecutor, and Attorney before participating the official mock trials in the Ho Chi Minh city. Also within seven days of participating in the training course, students also had access to two wildlife trial case files related to illegal action such illegal captive, hunting and killing endangered animals. Without any real play script/scenario, students had to search and study case files, develop interrogations and impeachments, defenses and indictments in consultation with experts from reputable law training institutions and judicial officers with practical experience in adjudicating wildlife criminal cases. At the end of the training sessions, the students drew to select positions at the mock trial, each trial was attended by students from all three universities.   Nguyen, Thang Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:34:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:18020 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/17555/Strengthening-networks-for-wildlife-health-surveillance-WildHealthNet-in-Viet-Nam-.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=17555 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17555&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/17555/Strengthening-networks-for-wildlife-health-surveillance-WildHealthNet-in-Viet-Nam-.aspx Ha Noi, May 19, 2022: About 60 representatives from Vietnamese government agencies and both international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) joined the close out and transition workshop of WildHealthNet – a project co-implemented by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Department of Animal Health (DAH), Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD) during 2018 - 2022, with the support of the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) - Biological Threat Reduction Program. Representatives of DAH, MARD; National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE), MOH, GDPM; Regional Animal Health Offices No. 6 and 7; Provincial Forest Protection Departments (FPD) and Sub-DAHs in Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Nghe An and Dong Thap provinces, and representatives from national parks and conservation organizations; representatives from partnered laboratory National Center for Veterinary Diagnosis (NCVD) and Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) also attended the workshop. 60 representatives participated in the workshop, Ha Noi, May 2022 Human activities and anthropogenic changes to the planet’s ecosystems over the past two centuries have resulted in wildlife, domestic animals, and humans increasingly coming into contact with each other which leads to pathogen spillovers and disease emergence. Wildlife health surveillance is recognized as an important component of wildlife conservation and has been identified as a critical component of One Health surveillance - with the goal of including wildlife surveillance in the “detect, prevent, respond” approach of the global health community. Wildlife health surveillance is needed to detect and manage pathogens that threaten wildlife populations, like African swine fever virus (ASFV), and to understand the epidemiology of wildlife-origin pathogens such as SARS-CoV-1, Ebola, MERS-CoV, Nipah, Avian Influenza (AI) viruses, and SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.  To improve Viet Nam's capacity to detect and prevent pathogen spillover, and respond to disease outbreaks involving wildlife, WildHealthNet developed a suite of training activities, policy initiatives, and disease surveillance technology designed to monitor especially dangerous pathogens in wild animals and built capacity within Vietnamese government agencies at the central level and in Nghe An, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, and Binh Phuoc provinces to develop an effective national wildlife health surveillance network. Given the major biosecurity, economic, and conservation implications of emerging and re-emerging diseases, WildHealthNet engaged closely with project sites to clarify roles and responsibilities for wildlife pathogen detection, steps, and communication in disease outbreak response and to identify priority pathogens. In coordination with the NIHE, the DAH and subDAH offices of Dong Nai, Nghe Anh and Dong Thap provinces, WildHealthNet established on the ground targeted surveillance activities for AI, ASFV, coronaviruses, Rickettsia, and hantaviruses in wildlife populations, particularly at high-risk wildlife-livestock-human interfaces. These investigations facilitated the detection of ASFV in free ranging wild boar in 2019 in Dong Nai province and highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in sick and dead wild birds in 2021 in Dong Thap province. The results have been shared widely to the DAH. In total, 3,439 samples were collected from 1,213 individuals, including bats, pangolins, wild boar, carnivores, rodents, wild birds and primates, and were screened for targeted pathogens. WildHealthNet also strengthened passive surveillance activities through increased wildlife morbidity and mortality event detections and investigations in a network of six protected areas across Viet Nam including Cat Tien national park, Pu Mat national park, Bu Gia Map national park, Tram Chim national park, Tan Phu protected area and Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve and improved reporting and response time to wildlife mortality events. WildHealthNet trained a total of 125 participants, including science staff, forest rangers, veterinarians and government animal health officers in wildlife morbidity and mortality investigations, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), wildlife carcass necropsy and sample collection. Three refresher trainings and technical updates were conducted in Nghe An and Dong Nai provinces to evaluate participants' understanding and to enhance their capacity to report wildlife mortality and morbidity events. A total of 18 wildlife mortality events, including mostly primates, elephants, pangolins, and wild boar, were reported by the protected areas involved in the network. Samples collected were screened for targeted especially dangerous pathogens but were all negative.    WildHealthNet also identified and adapted data collection and management tools to demonstrate and support best practice bio-surveillance reporting for events and findings within the network. A suite of technological tools that supported the smooth collection of wildlife health event data in a standardized format (SMART for Health) was developed. A system for managing wildlife health surveillance data, Wildlife Health Intelligence Platform (WHIP), was adapted and used to store data generated by the project. Full access to the WHIP platform was granted to the DAH. During group discussions and sharing sessions participants brought to the table their insights and experience in playing an active role in the WildHealthNet surveillance network and how the network significantly improved wildlife health surveillance in Viet Nam.  Dr. Nguyen Van Long, Acting Director General of the DAH, MARD emphasized: “Viet Nam shares the global concern regarding the wildlife health-related disease monitoring system at national level. We also recognize risks of emerging and re-emerging diseases as Viet Nam has prevalent human - wildlife interaction due to geographical, biological, sociological and cultural traits. Given that context, WildHealthNet promoted the incorporation of wildlife diseases into the national health monitoring system to identify and address disease threats to wildlife, livestock, and human populations.” During the meeting, a number of remaining gaps in the wildlife health management system in Viet Nam were identified. Participants also discussed potential issues for the increased and sustainable inter-agency collaboration to resolve the highlighted gaps - including how relevant functional agencies can contribute to help establish a sustainable national system for wildlife health surveillance. Ms. Hoang Bich Thuy, Country Director of WCS Viet Nam Program, shared: “We aimed for our surveillance system to be realistic for implementation, meet the different needs and risks that exist in various wildlife-human interfaces and maximize the utilization of previously existing animal health surveillance systems. WildHealthNet was co-developed by animal health, public health, wildlife management agencies and wildlife conservation groups. Only through harmonious coordination and cooperation can we optimize the linkages among surveillance systems generated and owned by each sector under the One Health concept.” The meeting was also to recognize the on-going efforts and interest of the DAH to continue to develop wildlife health surveillance in Viet Nam with collaboration across network partners and the agriculture, environment, and human health sectors. It was an opportunity to map out the next steps to guide a transition to more comprehensive DAH leadership for wildlife surveillance and coordination of a national wildlife health surveillance network. It was also an opportunity to identify the potential to link with related One Health surveillance initiatives supported by different German, EU, and US Government agencies as well as the World Bank and Tripartite Plus (FAO, WHO, OIE, and UNEP) to promote One Health surveillance.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------- For details, please contact: Nguyen Dinh Thang Communication Support Officer WCS Viet Nam Program 106, D Building, No. 3 Thanh Cong Street, Thanh Cong Ward, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam  Telephone: 024 3514 9750 Mobile phone: 0339519500 Email: thnguyen@wcs.org   About DTRA and DTRA BTRP: The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is under the Department of Defense, the United States Government. During the past 15 years, the Department of Defense (DOD) has supported a variety of international security-oriented biological activities. For 10 years, these activities have been referred to by DOD as the Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) and have been implemented by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). BTRP is one of several U.S. government programs that have been developed and implemented within an interagency framework to prevent the proliferation of expertise, materials, equipment, and technologies that could contribute to the development of biological weapons.   About DAH: The Department of Animal Health (DAH) was established in 1966. DAH is the government organization directly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), performing advisory functions, assisting the Minister in state management and organizing law enforcement on disease prevention and control, veterinary medicine and vaccines, food safety and animal products, under the management authority of MARD, as decentralized and authorized by the Minister. Website: https://cucthuy.gov.vn/   About WCS: WCS has worked in Viet Nam since 2006 with a focus on combating the illegal wildlife trade. WCS works to degrade, disrupt, and dismantle wildlife trafficking networks and reduce poaching pressure on wildlife populations. We facilitate collaboration and cross-agency action at domestic and international scales between key law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, natural resource regulatory agencies, and domestic and international non-governmental organizations. Our efforts have led to enhanced enforcement effectiveness through the successful arrest, prosecution, and conviction of wildlife criminals. Website: https://vietnam.wcs.org/ Download documents and photos at the following link. Nguyen, Thang Thu, 19 May 2022 05:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17555 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/17371/Study-Confirms-SARS-CoV-2-Related-Coronaviruses-in-Trade-Confiscated-Pangolins-in-Viet-Nam.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=17371 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=17371&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/17371/Study-Confirms-SARS-CoV-2-Related-Coronaviruses-in-Trade-Confiscated-Pangolins-in-Viet-Nam.aspx Findings show that risk from trade in pangolins goes beyond markets in China Authors say live wildlife trade is increasing the risk of coronavirus transmission and potentially amplifying viruses along the trade chain READ THE STUDY Images, Captions and Credit An oral swab is collected from a pangolin by WCS wildlife health professionals at a wildlife rescue center in Viet Nam. NEW YORK (Mar 9th, 2022) – A new study in the journal Frontiers in Public Health led by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) confirms that pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Viet Nam host SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses. Previously, only pangolins confiscated in China had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses. The authors of the study say that the findings are further evidence that the transnational nature of the wildlife trade can facilitate coronavirus and other viral transmission and amplification along the trade chain, providing further evidence that pandemic and epidemic prevention must also be focused on pathogen spillover from wildlife. The study detected SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses, circulating in Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Viet Nam. Analysis revealed that the coronaviruses identified in these pangolins were closely related to coronaviruses previously detected in pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, China. Said the study’s lead author, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga of WCS’s Viet Nam Program: “We know that SARS-like coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1) can cause serious disease in humans. This study confirms the presence of coronaviruses in the SARS-CoV family in trafficked pangolins in Viet Nam. Eliminating the trade in pangolins and other wild mammals and birds will eliminate this high-risk pathway for viral spillover and pathogen emergence.” All eight species of pangolins have been listed on CITES Appendix I since 2017, prohibiting all international trade for commercial purposes. All four species of Asian pangolins, including the Sunda and Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are considered Endangered or Critically Endangered across their geographic range. The authors of the study tested specimens from a total of 246 pangolins from wildlife confiscation events that occurred in Viet Nam in the years 2016 to 2018. Specimens collected from seven individual pangolins in 2018 tested positive for a SARS-CoV-2 related coronavirus. In addition to testing pangolins for SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses, the authors reviewed media reports of pangolin trafficking cases involving Viet Nam between 2016 and 2020. Multiple pangolin confiscation events sampled in this study in Viet Nam involved other live wildlife including a mix of non-human primates, reptiles, and birds. These observations support long-held concerns that the live wildlife trade, moving wild animals out of their natural habitats and into human dominated landscapes and large urban centers, poses a serious and increasing risk of initiating epidemics from emergent pathogens in human populations. These findings support current recommendations on regulation of live wildlife trade and markets, including the April 2021 Interim Guidance on ‘Reducing public health risks associated with the sale of live wild animals of mammalian species in traditional food markets’ issued by the WHO, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the International Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which called on governments to “Suspend the trade in live caught wild animals of mammalian species for food or breeding purposes and close sections of food markets selling live caught wild animals of mammalian species as an emergency measure unless demonstrable effective regulations and adequate risk assessments are in place.” The authors also indicate that current international recommendations are too narrowly focused on open markets and do not address the much longer wildlife supply chains, trade of both legally and illegally sourced wildlife from its source. The authors indicate the need for wildlife trade policy reform to curb the risks of future pandemics and say mitigation measures must consider that the wildlife trade spillover interface contains novel viruses, which are not detected with current sample screening practices or procedures. Among countries, China has initiated a multi-sectoral and sustained crackdown on illegal wildlife trade and legislative reforms designed to completely phase out the farming/sourcing, trade, and consumption of terrestrial wildlife as food. Viet Nam banned the importation of wildlife in January 2020, as an immediate response to the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in China, and called for its own heightened enforcement of existing laws on illegal wildlife trade as stipulated in the July 2020 Vietnamese Government Prime Minister’s Directive No. 29 on “urgent solutions to manage wildlife”. In the past two years, the Government of Viet Nam has revised a number of decrees addressing animal health, public health, food safety, and wildlife management with the aim of mitigating the risks and impacts of future pandemics. These include Decree 14 on regulating penalties for administrative offenses involving animal husbandry and Decree 07 issued in early 2022 which increased sanctions for violating wildlife trade laws and regulations. WCS worked closely with local partners in Viet Nam to carry out this research. We would like to thank and acknowledge the contribution of our One Health partners from the animal health sector (Department of Animal Health, Regional Animal Health Office No. 6, Dong Nai Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, Viet Nam National University of Agriculture) and from the wildlife and environmental protection sector (Cuc Phuong National Park, Save Viet Nam’s Wildlife, Dong Nai Province Forest Protection Department). This study was carried out as part of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Emerging Pandemic Threats PREDICT-2 project.  The URL to the USAID Emerging Pandemic Threats Program (EPT-2) is https://www.usaid.gov/ept2. More information is available on WCS one health initiatives: https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/ and our work on coronaviruses: https://www.wcs.org/coronavirus. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org. Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: +1 (347) 840-1242. Nguyen, Thang Fri, 11 Mar 2022 02:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:17371 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/16696/Strengthening-international-cooperation-between-Viet-Nam-and-some-African-countries-in-combating-against-transnational-illegal-wildlife-trade.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=16696 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=16696&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/16696/Strengthening-international-cooperation-between-Viet-Nam-and-some-African-countries-in-combating-against-transnational-illegal-wildlife-trade.aspx Strengthening international cooperation between Viet Nam and some African countries in combating against transnational illegal wildlife trade Ha Noi, September 23-24, 2021, Viet Nam National University’s School of Law (VNU-LS) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Viet Nam Program organize a two-day webinar on "International cooperation between Viet Nam and some African countries in combating against transnational illegal wildlife trade”. There are nearly 150 participants from law training institutions in Viet Nam; Supreme People’s Procuracy (SPP) and the People's Procuracy of provinces/cities having seaports, airports and land borders from Viet Nam; the Attorney General’s Office of Mozambique, Procuradoria Distrital da República-Mozambique, and their selected branches; Regulatory Compliance and Sector Monitoring Branch, South African Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), South African Embassy in Viet Nam, and other national and international agencies and organizations. The webinar focuses on discussing difficulties, challenges, and solutions from different perspectives and approaches in order to strengthen international cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters in dealing with transnational crimes related to African – Asian countries, with particular emphasis on illegal wildlife trade (IWT) from South Africa and Mozambique to Viet Nam. Speakers attending the workshop on September 23, 2021, ©WCS South Africa and Mozambique are two range states in the IWT route from African countries to Asia. According to WCS’s open-source database, in the period of 2017-2021, out of 47 total arrests of illegal trading and transportation of rhino horn and ivory originating from Africa countries and destined to Viet Nam, there are 18 cases showed the connection between Viet Nam and South Africa, Mozambique. Therefore, combating this transnational wildlife crime requires close cooperation between Viet Nam, Mozambique and South Africa. In this two-day webinar, participants will gain updated information on IWT specifically from South Africa and Mozambique, to Viet Nam; practical experience in handling IWT cases related to Vietnamese in Mozambique and South Africa; or cooperation between Viet Nam and South Africa including handing over samples from seized rhino horn cases for assessment and origin determination. In addition, representatives of the Viet Nam’s SPP, and the Attorney General’s Office of Mozambique will share challenges and pitfalls in realizing international cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters in the fight and handling of transnational organized crimes. We expect to discuss solutions to prevent and combat transnational crimes and to strengthen international cooperation in handling IWT crimes involving African countries, especially strengthening law enforcement activities between Viet Nam and South Africa, Mozambique. Mr. Albino Macamo, Honorable Director of Department for the Environment, Mozambican Attorney General’s Office said “The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a major transnational organized crime, which generates billions of criminal proceeds each year. IWT fuels corruption, threatens biodiversity, and can have a significant negative impact on public health and the economy. Moreover, beyond the technicalities of the mechanism, international co-operation efforts require several factors to work. Each country must be committed to take positive measures to address this global challenge. In further the webinar, it should be involve organizing regular bilateral and multilateral dialogues. It will also likely strengthen include adopting or participating in multilateral coordination mechanisms”.  Signing the Viet Nam - Mozambique Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, Maputo, December 2018, ©WCS Ms. Nguyen Thi Que Anh, Dean of the VNU-LS shared in her opening remarks that “The webinar was held in the context that transnational crimes in general and illegal wildlife trade in particular from some African countries to Viet Nam are currently a hot issue. Therefore, this webinar is meaningful in theory and practical terms when we have formed a multilateral forum to exchange the problems of legal science. The approach and practice of applying the law on international cooperation in the settlement and handling of transnational crimes, especially transnational illegal wildlife trade”. Ms. Hoang Bich Thuy, WCS Viet Nam Country Director shared “WCS Viet Nam commits to facilitate international cooperation and enhance the information and knowledge sharing to address transnational crime. We do hope that we are changers who make Viet Nam NOT the transit and final destination of illegal wildlife trade but endangered and precious wildlife are conserved and biodiversity dynamics are restored” Capacity building training on wildlife prosecution for Vietnamese and Mozambican Prosecutors, Hanoi, March 2019, ©WCS The workshop was organized with the support of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), the US Department of Foreign Affairs through the project “Enhancing enforcement cooperation between Mozambique, South Africa, and Viet Nam to combat wildlife trafficking.” --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- For more information, please contact: Ms. Nguyen Thi Trang Nguyen Communication Team Leader WCS, Viet Nam Program 106, D building, No. 3, Thanh Cong Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam Phone: 024 3514 9750 Mobile: 038 992 9348 Email: ntnguyen@wcs.org   About WCS: WCS has worked in Viet Nam since 2006 with a focus on combating illegal wildlife trade. WCS works to degrade, disrupt, and dismantle wildlife trafficking networks and reduce poaching pressure on wildlife populations. We facilitate collaboration and cross-agency action at domestic and international scales between key law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, natural resource regulatory agencies, and domestic and international non-governmental organizations. Our efforts have led to enhanced enforcement effectiveness, through the successful arrest, prosecution, and conviction of wildlife criminals.  Website: https://vietnam.wcs.org/ Email: wcsvietnam@wcs.org   About VNU-LS: During its 45 years of operation, the VNU-LS has always been known as one of Viet Nam's leading prestigious law training and research centers. Its reliable training and education have high-quality legal human resources and convergence of many dedicated experts and scientists. It is a pioneer training institution in the field of training program accreditation with many training programs at the undergraduate and graduate degrees have been accredited according to AUN standards - the network of Southeast Asian universities. Website: https://law.vnu.edu.vn/ Event photos: link Nguyen, Thang Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:16696 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/15640/Worlds-Most-Endangered-Turtle-Gets-Some-Good-News-In-2020.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=15640 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=15640&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/15640/Worlds-Most-Endangered-Turtle-Gets-Some-Good-News-In-2020.aspx World’s Most Endangered Turtle Gets Some Good News In 2020Scientists release genetic results confirming a female turtle captured in October 2020 in Viet Nam is definitively the near extinct Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) – also known as the Yangtze giant softshell turtle and Hoan Kiem turtleDiscovery means at least one male and one female are now known to existViet Nam Government leading this effort to prevent extinction of the Swinhoe’s softshell turtle, along with ATP/IMC, WCS and other partnersDownload photos hereClose-up of the head and pattern of the Hoan Kiem turtle. Photo by: WCS VietnamHA NOI, Viet Nam (December 18, 2020) - The Ha Noi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of Indo-Myanmar Conservation (IMC) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have made dramatic progress to possibly prevent the extinction of Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) also known as the Yangtze giant softshell turtle or or Hoan Kiem turtle. At a workshop here today, scientists revealed that genetic testing has confirmed a female turtle captured on October 22, 2020 in Dong Mo Lake is definitively a Swinhoe’s softshell turtle.This confirmation means there is now one known male Swinhoe’s softshell turtle at Suzhou Zoo in China; and now the female captured in October 2020 in Dong Mo lake, Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Authorities believe there is at least one more of these turtles in Dong Mo Lake and another in nearby Xuan Khanh Lake. Conservationists hope to capture and determine the sex of the other turtles in both Dong Mo and Xuan Khanh Lakes this coming spring. Ultimately, conservationists aim to ensure at least one male and female are given a chance to breed to ensure this species can return from the brink of extinction.Nguyen Huy Dang, Deputy Director of Ha Noi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said, “This is a very important mission and it needs to be done effectively. We have been seeking advice and consultation from the Ha Noi People’s Committee to promulgate guiding documents and collaboration with international organization to execute our development and conservation plan of Rafetus Swinhoei. The department of Ha Noi Fisheries continues to implement the Plan #200 from the Ha Noi People’s Committee to revive and preserve the  Swinhoe’s softshell turtle, a rare, precious and endangered species in the red book of Viet Nam and in the world”Timothy McCormack, Program Director of the ATP/IMC, said: “It is so important that we are taking these steps, confirming the sex of the identified animals, and in the case of the animal in Xuan Khanh Lake, confirming the species, as currently this has only been based on Environmental DNA. Once we know the sex of the animals in Vietnam, we can make a clear plan on the next steps, hopefully we have a male a female, in which case breeding and recovery of the species becomes a real possibility. At the same time our surveys in other areas of Vietnam suggest other animals might still survive in the wild, we need to be looking at bringing these together as part of the broader conservation plan for the species.”Said WCS Viet Nam Country Director Hoang Bich Thuy: “In a year full of bad news and sadness across the globe, the discovery of this female can offer all some hope that this species will be given another chance to survive. Over hunting and habitat destruction have contributed to the demise of this species. In Viet Nam, with the leadership of the government, we are determined to take responsibility to give this species another chance.”Said Andrew Walde, Chief Operating Officer of the Turtle Survival Alliance, a technical advisor on this project, “This is the best news of the year, and quite possibly the last decade, for global turtle conservation. As the most endangered turtle on Earth, a tremendous amount of energy and resources have been dedicated to the preservation of Swinhoe’s softshell turtle. Following the loss of the only known female at the time in 2019, the confirmation of this wild specimen as female is a cause for celebration for all those who have worked tirelessly to see this turtle species survive. We commend the dedication and leadership of the Vietnam Government, Ha Noi DARD, and our colleagues at ATP and WCS.  We look forward to continuing to provide technical expertise to the project in 2021, and continued successes.”Previous to this discovery, there had been a major effort to breed the remaining two known remaining members of the species. Then, the last known female Swinhoe’s softshell turtle died on April 13, 2019, during recovery from anesthesia after an artificial insemination procedure in Suzhou, China. The male and female turtles, which had failed to produce offspring naturally since they were brought together in 2008, were determined to be healthy for the procedure, and similar anesthesia procedures had previously been performed without incident. When the female died, the hope for the species turned to the possibility of additional turtles in two different lakes in Viet Nam, Dong Mo Lake and Xuan Khanh Lake.Since early 2019, with technical support from the ATP/IMC and WCS, Ha Noi Fisheries Department had organized various consultations and review meetings to develop a technical approach for the discovery and capture; conduct more surveys of Dong Mo Lake; and select trapping locations. The plan was delayed due to COVID-19 lockdowns in Viet Nam, preventing international team members, including veterinary teams and turtle experts, travelling to Viet Nam due to travel restrictions. In September 2020, a team went back into the field; including local fishers, the Ha Noi Fisheries Department and the ATP/IMC and WCS personnel. They spent weeks putting out a series of nets in the 1,400 ha lake (about 3,459 acres) to create a fenced-in 90 ha (about 222 acre) capture zone. On October 22, 2020, an animal was seen next to the net fence and a quick-thinking team member was able to capture the animal with the help of a local fisherman. A temporary holding pond had already been prepared on a small island in the lake and a veterinary team from ATP/IMC and WCS arrived in a matter of hours, along with an international veterinarian working for Four Paws Viet (A bear rescue center) with ultrasound equipment to allow the animal to be clearly sexed. With the close coordination and technical support from the capture and animal care teams, on October 23, 2020, a health check was done, samples were taken, an ultrasound was performed, a microchip was inserted, swabs and blood samples were taken and a physical check was recorded. The animal weighed in at 86kg (189.5 pounds) and 1m (3.2 feet) in length. To everyone’s great relief, she was healthy, strong and keen to get back in the lake where she was released on the same day.And today at the Ha Noi workshop, the genetic results from the tests confirmed this turtle was a female Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei). This forensic exam was done by the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology  and the independent gene analysis was done by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Viet Nam National University (VNU CRES) in Ha Noi. The Ha Noi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on behalf of Ha Noi People’s Committee, co-hosted the workshop to update on the process of implementing the conservation plan of the Rafetus swinhoei (Hoan Kiem Turtle) during 2018 – 2020 period in Ha Noi. Representatives from technical and managerial agencies, conservationists, reporters and journalists of media agencies attended the event.With sightings of a second animal with an estimated weight of 130kg in Dong Mo Lake, additional work started in November 2020 with the capture team, which then did simulation exercises on different trapping methods. It is hoped the second animal can be captured and confirmed at the lake in spring 2021 when the water level is at the lowest. Teams are hopeful this second animal may be a male Rafetus swinhoei, giving even more hope that the world’s rarest species can mate and produce off spring in either a semi-wild area or captivity in Viet Nam.  The Viet Nam Government is leading the effort and partnerships to save this species. The partners conducting this work thank the following: Forest Protection Department (FPD), Viet Nam Forest Administration, Fisheries Department, the Biodiversity Conservation Agency (BCA) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), Finance department, Natural Resources and Environment department, Planning and Investment department, Science and Technology, Tourism, Culture and Sport, Ba Vi district People’s Committee, Son Tay town People’s Committee, the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, the Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Viet Nam National University (VNU CRES), and the Ha Noi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.Additional support for this work came from: Alan and Patricia Koval Foundation, Auckland Zoo, Birdlife International, British Chelonia Group (BCG), Browse Poster UK, Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Viet Nam National University (VNU CRES), Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland Zoological Society, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), Education for Nature (ENV), Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC), IUCN, Island Foundation, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ), Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK), Panaphil and Uphill Foundations, Turtle Conservation Fund (TCF), Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), George Garretson Wade Charitable Trust, Washington State University, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), Zoological Society of London (ZSL), as well as a number of private donors who have supported efforts to save the Rafetus swinhoei.###For further information, please contact:Ta Van Son, DirectorHa Noi Fisheries DepartmentHa Noi Department of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentAddress: Thanh Liet commune, Thanh Tri district, Ha NoiTel:  +84 (0) 24 3688 4464     FAX:  +84 (0) 24 3688 9510Email: cctshn_sonnptnt@hanoi.gov.vnTimothy McCormack, Program DirectorAsian Turtle Program of Indo-Myanmar ConservationAddress: 1806, CT1 - C14 Bac Ha Building, To Huu Street, Nam Tu Liem District, Ha Noi, Viet NamTel: +84 (0) 24 7302 8389Tel: +44 (0) 7460 953 121Email:  info@asianturtleprogram.org About ATP/IMC:ATP was established and has been operating in Vietnam since 1998 to create a safe and sustainable future for Asian tortoises and freshwater turtles, ensuring that no more species will become extinct in the region. ATP / IMC activities in Vietnam include in situ and ex situ research, species and habitat protection, awareness raising, the rescue, breeding, and release of confiscated turtles, and advocacy for their conservation.https://asianturtleprogram.org/Tran Minh PhucCommunication OfficerWCS Viet Nam106, D Building, No. 3 Thanh Cong Street, Thanh Cong Ward, Ba Dinh District, Ha Noi, Viet Nam Tel: +84 (0) 24 3514 9750Mobile phone: +84 (0) 98 518 9475Email: tphuc@wcs.orgAbout WCS:WCS has worked in Viet Nam since 2006 with a focus on combating illegal wildlife trafficking. WCS works to degrade, disrupt, and dismantle wildlife trafficking networks and reduce poaching pressure on wildlife populations. We facilitate collaboration and cross-agency action at domestic and international scales between key law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, natural resource regulatory agencies, and domestic and international non-governmental organizations. Our efforts have led to enhanced enforcement effectiveness, through the successful arrest, prosecution, and conviction of wildlife criminals.### Nguyen, Thang Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:38:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:15640 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/14634/Has-Vietnam-banned-the-wildlife-trade-to-curb-the-risk-of-future-pandemics.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=14634 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14634&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/14634/Has-Vietnam-banned-the-wildlife-trade-to-curb-the-risk-of-future-pandemics.aspx On July 23rd 2020 the Vietnamese Government released Prime Minister’s Directive No. 29 on urgent solutions to manage wildlife. Whilst this Directive No. 29 is a positive development, it is not the game-changer that is being reported by some in the global media and that is urgently needed to prevent future zoonotic pathogen outbreaks such as that we are experiencing today.  Huyen Hoang Tue, 28 Jul 2020 09:55:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14634 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/14338/Viruses-from-Field-to-Fork-Study-Finds-That-Wildlife-Supply-Chains-for-Human-Consumption-Increase-Coronaviruses-Spillover-Risk-to-People.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=14338 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=14338&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/14338/Viruses-from-Field-to-Fork-Study-Finds-That-Wildlife-Supply-Chains-for-Human-Consumption-Increase-Coronaviruses-Spillover-Risk-to-People.aspx HA NOI (June 17, 2020) – A new study found that animals sampled in the wildlife-trade supply chain bound for human consumption had high proportions of coronaviruses, and that the proportion of positives significantly increases as animals travel from traders, to large markets, to restaurants.The study, which appears in the pre-print journal bioRxiv, is by a team of scientists from WCS, the Department of Animal Health of the Viet Nam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam National University of Agriculture, EcoHealth Alliance, and One Health Institute of the University of California, Davis.Wildlife in the trade supply chain are often under stress and confined at high densities with other animals from multiple sources which likely results in increased shedding of coronaviruses. The authors forewarn of the potential risk of viral spillover into people through the wildlife trade.The authors indicate that stress and poor nutrition likely contribute to decreasing animal immune functions resulting in increased shedding and amplification of coronaviruses along the supply chain. The findings in rodents illuminate the potential for coronavirus shedding in other wildlife supply chains (e.g. civets, pangolins) where similarly large numbers of animals are collected, transported, and confined.The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of coronavirus presence and diversity in wildlife at three wildlife-human interfaces including live wildlife trade chains, wildlife farming, and bat-human interfaces. This work represents an important demonstration of capacity and a significant contribution from Viet Nam to the field, laboratory, and scientific approaches critical to understanding and addressing zoonotic disease threats. The consensus PCR approach for viral detection is a cost-effective tool for detecting both known and novel viruses and co-infections in a variety of taxa, sample types, and interfaces.Researchers collected samples at 70 sites in Viet Nam, and detected six distinct taxonomic units of known coronaviruses. There is no current evidence to suggest these particular viruses were a human-health threat, but the laboratory techniques used in the study can be utilized to detect important emerging or unknown viruses in humans, wildlife, and livestock in the future.The team found high proportions of positive samples among field rats destined for human consumption. The proportion of positives significantly increased along the supply chain from traders (21 percent), to large markets (32 percent) to restaurants (56 percent). Coronaviruses were detected on two-thirds of the surveyed wildlife farms, and six percent of rodents raised on the farms were positive. A bat and a bird coronavirus were found in rodent fecal samples collected from wildlife farms suggesting either environmental mixing or viral sharing among species. Coronavirus detection rates in rodent populations sampled in their ‘natural’ habitat are closer to 0-2 percent.Said Amanda Fine, WCS Health Program Associate Director, Asia, and a co-author of the study: “Wildlife supply chains, and the conditions the animals experience while in the supply chain, appear to greatly amplify the prevalence of coronaviruses. In addition, we documented exposure of rodents on wildlife farms to both bat and bird coronaviruses. These high prevalence rates and diversity of coronaviruses, added to the species mixing we see in the wildlife trade, creates more opportunities for coronavirus recombination events as well as spillover.”The authors warn that the trade in wildlife facilitates close contact between people and multiple species of wildlife taxa shedding coronaviruses. This provides opportunities for intra- and inter-species transmission and potential recombination of coronaviruses.The wildlife supply chain from the field to the restaurant provides multiple opportunities for such spillover events to occur. To minimize the public health risks of viral disease emergence from wildlife and to safeguard livestock-based production systems, the authors recommend precautionary measures that restrict the killing, commercial breeding, transport, buying, selling, storage, processing, and consuming of wild animals.The emergence of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and now SARS-CoV-2 highlight the importance of the coronavirus viral family to affect global public health. The world must increase vigilance through building and improving detection capacity; actively conducting surveillance to detect and characterize coronaviruses in humans, wildlife, and livestock; and to inform human behaviors in order to reduce zoonotic viral transmission to humans.  Hoang Bich Thuy, WCS Viet Nam Country Program Director and co-author explains: “Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Government of Viet Nam has been taking strong actions to enforce wildlife trade laws and is considering the prohibition of wildlife trade and consumption as directed by the Prime Minister in his Official Letter No. 1744/VPCP-KGVX dated 6 March 2020 of the Government Office. This research provides important baseline information and suggests areas for targeted studies to provide more evidence for the development of new policies and/or revision of the legal framework in Viet Nam to prevent future pandemics by mitigating risks of transmitting pathogens from animals to humans at key nodes along the wildlife supply chain. Successful interventions will be those that support a significant reduction in the volume and diversity of species traded, and the number of people involved in the trade of wildlife.”This study was made possible USAID’s Emerging Pandemic Threats PREDICT project with cooperation from the government of Viet Nam.### WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society)MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission Nguyen, Thang Thu, 18 Jun 2020 10:19:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:14338 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/13983/Preventing-future-emerging-infectious-disease-outbreaks-in-Viet-Nam-by-amending-policy-on-wildlife-trade-and-consumption.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=13983 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13983&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/13983/Preventing-future-emerging-infectious-disease-outbreaks-in-Viet-Nam-by-amending-policy-on-wildlife-trade-and-consumption.aspx The current coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic is killing thousands of people globally and causing major impacts to livelihoods, society, and economies across the world. COVID-19 is understood to have originated in wildlife, most probably in a market selling live wildlife in China (Cyranoski, 2020; Lu et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2020; Zhou et al., 2020). Nguyen, Thang Fri, 27 Mar 2020 08:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13983 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/13203/Strengthening-wildlife-health-surveillance-in-Viet-Nam-for-effective-monitoring-and-response-to-emerging-diseases.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=13203 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=13203&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/13203/Strengthening-wildlife-health-surveillance-in-Viet-Nam-for-effective-monitoring-and-response-to-emerging-diseases.aspx Ha Noi, October 8, 2019: 40 representatives from Vietnamese government agencies and both international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) joined the inaugural  meeting for the INDOPACOM (Indo-Pacific Command) Wildlife Surveillance Project - co-implemented by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Department of Animal Health (DAH), Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD) from 2019-2021, with the support of the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) - Biological Threat Reduction Program.  Phuc Tran Tue, 08 Oct 2019 09:43:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:13203 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/12843/Technical-meeting-between-Viet-Nam-and-Laos-on-strengthening-cross-border-collaboration-to-combat-wildlife-trafficking.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=12843 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12843&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/12843/Technical-meeting-between-Viet-Nam-and-Laos-on-strengthening-cross-border-collaboration-to-combat-wildlife-trafficking.aspx Da Nang, July 23, 2019: 40 representatives of the Police Department of Environmental Crime Prevention, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention of Vietnam and Laos, Economic police and environmental police of Da Nang and the provinces located along the Vietnam-Laos border, included Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Bolikhamxay and Khamuane participated in a bilateral meeting to discuss about cooperation to prevent and combat of illegal wildlife trafficking. Phuc Tran Thu, 25 Jul 2019 07:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12843 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/12134/Technical-meeting-between-Viet-Nam-and-Cambodia-on-strengthening-cross-border-collaboration-to-combat-wildlife-trafficking.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=12134 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=12134&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/12134/Technical-meeting-between-Viet-Nam-and-Cambodia-on-strengthening-cross-border-collaboration-to-combat-wildlife-trafficking.aspx Da Nang, March 25-26, 2019, representatives from Customs of Viet Nam and Cambodia and Cambodian National Police met in Da Nang to discuss cross-border collaboration to combat wildlife trafficking. Phuc Tran Thu, 28 Mar 2019 06:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:12134 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11969/Enhancing-prosecution-capacity-in-handling-wildlife-related-crimes.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=11969 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11969&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11969/Enhancing-prosecution-capacity-in-handling-wildlife-related-crimes.aspx Hanoi, March 15, 2019: 20 Vietnamese and Mozambican prosecutors have just completed a training course entitled 'Enhancing the prosecution capacity in handling wildlife-related crimes', co-hosted by Vietnam Supreme People’s Procuracy (SPP), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Hanoi Procuratorate University (March 11-15, 2019). After course, the 11 trained Mozambican prosecutors will play key roles in development and implementation of nation-wide trainings for prosecutors in their home country. Phuc Tran Tue, 19 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11969 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11838/Strengthening-transcontinental-cooperation-to-combat-illegal-wildlife-trade-between-Vietnam-and-Mozambique.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=11838 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11838&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11838/Strengthening-transcontinental-cooperation-to-combat-illegal-wildlife-trade-between-Vietnam-and-Mozambique.aspx The delegation from Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam has finished its study tour to exchange experience with the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Attorney General’s Office (PGR), and National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) of Mozambique. Phuc Tran Thu, 24 Jan 2019 07:41:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11838 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11761/Mutual-Legal-Assistance-Treaty-between-Vietnam-and-Mozambique.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=11761 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11761&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11761/Mutual-Legal-Assistance-Treaty-between-Vietnam-and-Mozambique.aspx A Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) on criminal matters was officially signed by Le Minh Tri - Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy (SPP) of Vietnam and Joaquim Verissimo – Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs of Mozambique on December 3, 2018 in Maputo. The signing was witnessed by Carlos Agostinho Rosario - Prime Minister of Mozambique and Tran Quoc Vuong - politburo member and permanent member of the Central Committee’s Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The signing of a cooperation agreement between Le Minh Tri - Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy (SPP) of Vietnam and Joaquim Verissimo – Minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs of MozambiqueThe MLAT signed will significantly contribute to strengthening bilateral cooperation to combat transnational crimes, including wildlife trafficking crimes between the two countries. It will become a reliable and essential mechanism for executive and judicial agencies of Mozambique and Vietnam, including police, prosecutors and judges, to support one another effectively during investigation, prosecution and conviction of criminal offences.Following with this remarkable signing ceremony, WCS has also facilitated a meeting between SPP’s leaders and the Attorney General’ Office of Mozambique (PGR) on December 3, to discuss implementation of the newly signed MLAT and other activities under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two agencies in August 2017.The successful MLAT signing has marked another significant milestone of the trusted partnership between WCS and SPP, with meaningful support from the Partnership against Poaching, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), and the UK Government through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. Phuc Tran Thu, 06 Dec 2018 04:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11761 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11313/Implementation-of-smartphone-based-environmental-DNA-testing-and-capture-technologies-to-detect-Rafetus-swinhoei-in-the-wild.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=11313 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11313&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11313/Implementation-of-smartphone-based-environmental-DNA-testing-and-capture-technologies-to-detect-Rafetus-swinhoei-in-the-wild.aspx Ha Noi, April 26 to May 9, 2018: A training workshop introducing eDNA (environmental DNA)  and smartphone-based testing  for  the Swinhoe’s Giant Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) , also known as Hoan Kiem turtle,  took place at Dong Mo  and Xuan Khanh lakes from April 26 to May 9, 2018. Phuc Tran Thu, 24 May 2018 05:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11313 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11288/The-United-States-Helps-Vietnam-Combat-Wildlife-Crime.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=11288 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11288&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11288/The-United-States-Helps-Vietnam-Combat-Wildlife-Crime.aspx The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) officially launched the USAID Saving Species project.  U.S. Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink, Permanent Deputy Minister of MARD Dr. Ha Cong Tuan, representatives of the MARD Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Management Authority of Vietnam, and other government and NGO stakeholders attended the launch. Phuc Tran Mon, 21 May 2018 03:45:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11288 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11058/Viet-Nam-and-China-strengthen-cooperation-in-border-areas-to-combat-illegal-wildlife-trafficking.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=11058 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11058&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11058/Viet-Nam-and-China-strengthen-cooperation-in-border-areas-to-combat-illegal-wildlife-trafficking.aspx the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in partnership with Guangxi Anti-smuggling Office, commenced the “Joint training on combating illegal wildlife trafficking for border enforcement officers of Quang Ninh and Lang Son Province (Viet Nam) and Guangxi Province (China)” in Pingxiang, Guangxi, China. This two-day joint training welcomed more than 40 participants from national and subnational law enforcement agencies from the two countries, including the Customs, Border Army, Environmental Police and Forest Police in Quang Ninh and Lang Son province (Viet Nam) and Guangxi province (China). Phuc Tran Thu, 02 Nov 2017 01:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11058 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11057/Vietnam-Indonesia-Bilateral-Dialogue-Boosting-cooperation-to-combat-illegal-wildlife-trade.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=11057 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11057&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/11057/Vietnam-Indonesia-Bilateral-Dialogue-Boosting-cooperation-to-combat-illegal-wildlife-trade.aspx Viet Nam – Indonesia Bilateral Meeting on Strengthening Cooperation to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade organized in Hanoi from August 1-2, 2017, is the next important step forward to boost cooperation and strengthen high-level commitment in law enforcement to combat wildlife crime between Vietnam and Indonesia. The meeting was co-organized by the CITES Management Authority of Vietnam under the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), with funding from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) under the U.S. Department of State. Phuc Tran Wed, 02 Aug 2017 01:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11057 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/10261/Viet-Nam-to-place-a-police-attache-in-Mozambique-to-fight-transnational-crimes.aspx#Comments 0 https://programs.wcs.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=18664&ModuleID=37568&ArticleID=10261 https://programs.wcs.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=10261&PortalID=119&TabID=18664 https://programs.wcs.org/vietnam/en-us/News/Media-Releases/ID/10261/Viet-Nam-to-place-a-police-attache-in-Mozambique-to-fight-transnational-crimes.aspx Maputo – 3 April 2017, the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam has announced in their visit to the Ministry of Interior of Mozambique that they will advise the official start date of a police attaché from Viet Nam to Mozambique in the second half of this year. Following the invitation of Mr Mário Jorge, the Director of International Relations Office of the Interior Ministry of Mozambique, Major General Tran Van Tat, the Director of International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam paid a visit to Mozambique from 2 to 5 April 2017.Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the implementation progress of the cooperation agreement between the two governments in combatting crimes, as well as the MoU in training focussing on anti-terrorism, forgery, drugs, wildlife trafficking, money laundering, and exchange of information on transnational organised crimes.At the meeting, two delegations showed concerns with crimes by transnational organised networks, especially in trafficking rhino horns and ivory that involved citizens of the two countries. From 2013 to 2016, there have been at least 8 cases of wildlife trafficking shipments stopped in Viet Nam that originated from Mozambique.  Major General Tran Van Tat said: “The objective of this visit to Mozambique is to strengthen the understanding and cooperation between the Ministry of Police of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Interior of Mozambique. We both have the responsibility to fight against crimes and in particular widlife crimes. We are committed to combat this crime together.”  In the previous trip to South Africa from 29 March to 2 April 2017, the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam also discussed with the Ministry of Police of South Africa an upcoming agreement against crimes and mentioned the possible cooperation by South Africa after a Vietnamese police attaché is deployed in Mozambique.  The police attaché received technical assistance from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) with financial support from GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB). Major General Tran Van Tat (second from left) made a speech at the meeting with the Director of International Relations Office of the Interior Ministry of Mozambique, April 2017 Major General Tran Van Tat gave an opening speech at the workshop to share experience in fighting illegal wildlife trade between Vietnam and Mozambique at the Police Academy of Mozambique (ACIPOL), April 2017 The delegates of the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam in the meeting with the Ministry of Interior of Mozambique, April 2017 Workshop to share experience in fighting illegal wildlife trade between Viet Nam and Mozambique at the Police Academy of Mozambique (ACIPOL), April 2017 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:38:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:10261