Australia assists Vietnam in caring for illegally traded wild animals
VOV.VN - The Public Diplomacy team of the Australian Embassy in Hanoi has recently visited the Hoang Lien Centre for Rescue and Conservation to thank staff for taking in the illegally smuggled animals and provide some financial support of VND80 million for their continued care.
At the meeting, La Van Toi, Director of the Hoang Lien CRC shared that Vietnam is a hotspot for transiting and trading illegal animals.
“ The Wallabies are the first and only animal of foreign origin at the centre and we hope the Australian Embassy can help connect us with animal rescue organisations, experts and volunteers to better care for plants and animals in general, and wallabies in particular”, he noted.
For her part, Tran Thu Nga, the veterinarian who is taking care of wallabies said ‘The wallabies have suffered stress due to long transfer from Cao Bang and cold winter in Sapa. Though two wallabies died after a long incubation period, the other two are adapting better with the new environment.’
The Australian Government Wildlife Trade Office, part of the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water advised that Australia supports all efforts to address the illegal trade of wildlife and has strict legislation regulating the export of Australian native wildlife.
Native Australian wildlife, including wallabies, can only be exported from Australia for non-commercial purposes such as exhibition in a zoo. Individuals and organisations accused of illegal wildlife trade will be investigated and if they’re found guilty large fines and or jail time may be imposed.
The Hoang Lien Centre for Rescue and Conservation in Hoang Lien National Park has been taking care of Australian Wallabies since they were found in the Cao Bang province late last year. Australia supports all efforts to address illegal trade of wildlife.
The national park is known for its biodiversity, especially for rare and valuable plant species that only exist in the Hoang Lien range. The centre’s main role is to receive, care for, train and release native plant and animal species.
