TRAFFIC in the Greater Mekong
Seahorses are one of many species sold as souvenirs for tourists in Vietnam.
© WWF-Canon / Meg Gawler
© WWF-Canon / Meg Gawler
The illegal wildlife trade is considered to be one of the most serious threats to the survival of wild species in the Greater Mekong, and in Vietnam in particular.
In response to the illicit wildlife trade in the region and at the request of the WWF Greater Mekong Programme, TRAFFIC established an office in Vietnam to undertake its activities in the Greater Mekong.In the Greater Mekong, TRAFFIC focuses on:
1. Strengthening capacity of government scientific and enforcement agencies
2. Providing information and enhancing knowledge about the wildlife trade
3. Raising awareness of the need for conservation
TRAFFIC in the Greater Mekong would like to express its appreciation to WWF ICP, WWF Sweden, WWF US, the Royal Danish Embassy in Ha Noi, DANIDA, the British Embassy in Ha Noi and Intrepid Travel for their generous support.
The work of TRAFFIC in the Greater Mekong
1. Strengthen capacityIn 2000, TRAFFIC produced a manual to identify species commonly traded in Vietnam, which is being used by enforcement officers in the field. The following year, TRAFFIC assisted in organizing nation-wide training on CITES and on wildlife enforcement in Lao PDR.
Recently, it helped to establish a dedicated CITES office in Vietnam and assisted in the drafting of CITES implementing legislation, which was passed by the Vietnam government in January 2002. That same year, TRAFFIC and its partner, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), were awarded funding from DANIDA to carry out a series of activities to strengthen CITES implementation and enforcement in Vietnam.
In Cambodia, TRAFFIC supported the drafting of a Wildlife Protection Act and collaborated with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Cambodia’s Wildlife Protection Office in producing a wildlife trade guide for enforcement officers. It is also assisting the CITES Management Authority there by equipping the office, hiring and training dedicated staff and helping the government to develop CITES legislation.
2. Provide information
TRAFFIC documented the trade in tigers in Lao PDR and elephants in Vietnam and studied the dynamics of the trade in a nature reserve in Vietnam adjacent to the border with Lao PDR. Recently, TRAFFIC undertook a survey of the trade in marine turtles among Vietnam's coastal communities and the trade in elephants in Cambodia and Lao PDR.
3. Raise awareness
TRAFFIC, together with the government of Vietnam launched a national campaign to raise the awareness of tourists about CITES and the wildlife trade. The campaign entailed placing billboards at international airports in Vietnam and producing posters and brochures in four languages informing foreign tourists to Vietnam about the illegal and unsustainable trade in wild species.
Recognizing that the illegal and unsustainable trade in wildlife must be addressed by comprehensive strategic efforts, TRAFFIC, in collaboration with the government of Vietnam and interested agencies, is facilitating the development of a national programme to strengthen wildlife trade controls. Similar strategies are planned for Cambodia in 2003.
