One of the endangered elephant species (Elephas Maximus indicus) in a forest in central Việt Nam. The Central Highlands province of Đắk Lắk has launched the Buôn Ma Thuột City Says No to Illegal Wildlife Products Model in commemoration of World Elephant Day. Photo courtesy of USAID

ĐẮK LẮK — The Central Highlands province of Đắk Lắk, in co-operation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Saving Threatened Wildlife project and WWF, this week has launched a campaign – Buôn Ma Thuột City Says No to Illegal Wildlife Products -- in commemoration of the World Elephant Day in the province.

This model, which is supported by USAID and implemented by the Management Board for Forestry Projects (MBFP), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and WWF in 2024-25, with a vision to 2030, is a move towards preventing the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products in the central highlands province.

In 2024, supported by the Saving Threatened Wildlife project and in collaboration with the Đắk Lắk Fatherland Front Committee, a survey of markets and shops in Buôn Ma Thuột City was undertaken.

The survey revealed widespread illegal wildlife trade in the city, with 13 out of 16 wards (a full 81.3 per cent) hosting at least one facility engaged in illicit wildlife activities.

Approximately 44 per cent of the surveyed locations, including restaurants, pet shops and traditional medicine shops, were found to be involved in the illegal wildlife trade.

The study identified 20 protected species listed under Decree 06/2019/ND-CP, 14 species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book 2007, and 41 species listed in the IUCN Red List including Critically Endangered and Endangered species available for purchase as live animals, products from these animals or as meat.

To address this issue, the Đắk Lắk Fatherland Front Committee issued Decision 387/QĐ-MTTQ on June 24, 2024, officially approving the implementation plan for the campaign. The Decision detailed key activities and strategies to eliminate the availability of illegal wildlife products and promote sustainable practices that protect the province’s biodiversity and precious natural resources.

Y Giang Gry Nie Knong, Chairman of the provincial Fatherland Front Committee said: “The Committee is dedicated to engaging with Buôn Ma Thuột City and local authorities to raise awareness and ensure that the message of this model resonates with every citizen of the city.

Two custom officers inspect a cargo of illegal ivories at a port in Việt Nam. These illegal products were smuggled from another country into Việt Nam before shipping to the third country's port. Photo courtesy of ENV

“Buôn Ma Thuột Says No to Illegal Wildlife Products Model will increase awareness within the city on the laws related to the sale and consumption of wildlife products, engage businesses to ensure that illegal wildlife products are not offered for sale, and see increased attention from relevant enforcement agencies to confiscate illegal products and prosecute cases of unlawful activity."

Bế Trung Anh, Standing member from the National Assembly’s Council of Ethnic Affairs shared: “This Model highlights the close collaboration between the US Government and the Vietnamese government not just in economic and cultural areas but also in biodiversity conservation, specifically to counter the illegal wildlife trade. Activities such as this deepen the recently upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Collaborative initiatives such as this reaffirm commitments from Việt Nam to work with international partners to firmly and methodically put an end to the illegal wildlife trade and ensure a sustainable environment and future for the next generations.”

Information and concerns related to the illegal wildlife trade and the impacts on biodiversity were displayed at the 8th International Coffee festival in Buôn Ma Thuột City last year.

This year's launch was to raise awareness about the importance of protecting endangered wildlife, through the placement of billboards in the city and an exhibition on illegal wildlife trade, the project welcomes the opportunity to contribute to achieving the goal of the Buôn Ma Thuột City says No to Illegal Wildlife Products Model.

"We hope that with the collective effort from all stakeholders, the city will become a role model in preventing the illegal wildlife trade for other provinces to replicate,” said Michelle Owen, Chief of Party, Saving Threatened Wildlife, WWF. VNS