Our aim is that all rescued, rehabilitated and captive-born carnivores and pangolins are released back to the wild to support the conservation of wild populations, more than 1200 animals were released in the program in 7 years. Before releasing, the suitability of the release locations is assessed based on habitat conditions, evidence of wild populations and hunting pressures are all considered to ensure the best chance of survival for the released animals. We continually monitor these releases and their impacts on wild populations, to ensure that these releases will help support the recovery of threatened wildlife species
Ensuring the animals meet required health standards before release
Carrying out assessments to ensure the habitat is suitable for the released animals
Coordinating with the research team to monitor the post-release animals
Creating and following release protocols
Mobilising resources to support rescue, rehabilitation and post-release monitoring
It is not easy to find suitable habitats for some species to rehabilitate. Protected areas are often selected to release animals. It would be useful to have a strong research team to review literature on species distribution history.
It í important to consider releasing animals in a cost-effective way e.g., distance from rescue centres to the release site
It is advised to release animals to semi-wild areas before their eventual release into the wild could secure their survival.
Since it is not easy to monitor animals in the forests of Viet Nam, different new tracking methods using advanced technology techniques are preferred e.g., using drones and thermal cameras
We co-established a rescue and breeding centre with Cuc Phuong National Park called the “Carnivore & Pangolin Conservation Program” inside the Cuc Phuong NP. The main purpose of the centre is to cooperate with authorities to successfully rescue wildlife confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade and release them back to the wild. The animals then go through a 30-day quarantine. If they meet health standards, they are then released into safe protected areas, while animals who did not have the ability to survive in the wild, would be kept in the education centre to inspire visitors to contribute to the species conservation.
A hotline is provided for people to report illegal wildlife trade incidents
A rapid response team, composed of veterinarians and animal keepers, is built up and trained to respond to emergency calls from the authorities or reports from local people.
Develop guidance for animal first responses
Enhance active participation and effective collaboration with rangers, and police, who have confiscated wildlife
Having a collection form to record information of the confiscated wildlife e.g., rescue location, species, and animal status for post-rescue monitoring and management
It is extremely important to guide and advise on how to apply first aid for the confiscated animals to authorities and local people before the rapid response team arrives
Get to the rescue location as soon as possible to give the animals better chances to survive
Develop a relationship with the authorities in the province or district responsible for confiscating illegal traded wildlife so that the following rescue events could be more effective
Members of the Anti-poaching team raising awareness by proving posters to local people at their homes
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Behavioural change is one of our main building blocks to benefit wildlife conservation. This project component aims to change the behaviour of wildlife consumers by identifying key behaviours and using them to reduce demand for wildlife products. Findings of background research on awareness and attitudes of government officials and citizens around Pu Mat National Park towards wild meat consumption and sales were used to develop appropriate behaviour change interventions, drawing attention to the impact of wild meat consumption on health and the negative social perceptions of consuming wild meat. Following implementation of our work, the impact of our messages on avoidance behaviour and attitudes toward wild meat consumption was measured.
Interview-based research on wild meat trade/restaurants in the project area and relevant literature fed to behavioural change researchers
Behavioural change campaign designed and implemented in the project area: a campaign launching event; a billboard and posters campaign were installed in central locations and main roads. Moreover, all of the government officials signed a pledge not to use illegal wildlife.
Pre- and post-project evaluation to assess initial impacts
Project planning should be more carefully considered to avoid overlapping agendas with local government. The team should try to make a detailed plan for requesting approvals and implementation that avoid the government’s regular busy period.
The content and image used on every campaign material must be considered carefully to minimise controversy and politically sensitive issues. All content and images used for intervention had been considered and adjusted carefully before installation, which followed both recommendations from the consultant team and the government.
The campaign and its messages should be delivered by more diverse communication mediums to enhance the outreach and effectiveness.
The material of billboards should be considered carefully to ensure the resistance to extreme weather in Vietnam and unexpected accidents.
working with local communities in the buffer zones of wildlife strongholds in Vietnam
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Engaging local stakeholders about conservation efforts in and around Pu Mat National Park
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Visual billboards on conservation priorities, threatened species, and penalties for wildlife crime placed around Pu Mat National Park
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Working with local communities in the buffer zones of Pu Mat National Park is one of SVW’s main focuses, in order to raise awareness, reduce their impacts on forest resources, and inspire them to protect wildlife. We utilise diverse approaches to implement different programs, from holding community engagement workshops and training, placing large billboards around the buffer zones and using self-sustained education outreach tools to encourage local people to take informed actions to protect wildlife.
Numerous community workshops were conducted in wildlife strongholds and poaching hotspots around Pu Mat National Park, with the attendance of local villagers
SVW installed large-size billboards to raise awareness at the entrances to the forest and other areas
A bilingual radio broadcast about wildlife for the community living in the buffer zone of the park
A handy awareness-raising toolkit was developed for the Anti-poaching team and Park’s rangers to bring along and use to talk with people during their patrol or meetings with the community
A large number of people in the remote areas of the buffer zones are illiterate, therefore all educational materials need to be simple with many images.
When developing activities, the participation of local communities should be taken into consideration to raise the effectiveness of the community engagement programs.
After a series of community engagement activities, SVW aims to develop appropriate alternative livelihoods for the local communities.
All member of the club “Join me to protect Pu Mat Forest” commited “Three NO
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Students visited the Open Museum of Nature and Culture
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Students observed nature with binoculars for the first time
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Students enjoy tracing animals at the Nature Experiential Education Area
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Raising awareness and educating the community, especially children in the buffer zone of Pu Mat National Park is one of SVW's long-term strategies that aims at forming a future generation with positive attitudes and behaviours towards wildlife while reducing unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. Our program "Join me to protect Pu Mat forests'” is aligned with the environmental education curriculum at schools carried out by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training, as well as general policies of the government in the field of nature conservation and wildlife management. More than 4,500 primary and secondary students in the buffer zone of Pu Mat National Park were engaged in this program, gaining more knowledge, and proudly contributing to the protection of Pu Mat National Park when possible. Visual posters, handbooks, and other materials were distributed to schools to continue spreading the word of conservation.
The program consists of 5 different activities:
Social research was conducted before and after the program to assess the impacts
A student club at each school was established
A broadcasting program was launched at schools, encouraging students to raise their own voices
Our one-day field trips took clubs’ members and students who actively participated in the program to Pu Mat National Park to experience wildlife and nature in the Park to inspire and encourage them to take action.
The difference in the cognitive level of school children of different ages, especially those in the remote areas should be kept in mind when developing content and materials for the activities. Multiple educational methods should be adopted to create more diverse approaches for students of different ages.
Severe weather conditions in the local areas can interfere with the conduct of the activities, especially those that require in-person interaction. When these unfortunate events occur, it is best to be flexible and backup plans should be carefully prepared beforehand.
The complicated and unpredictable outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam were the most significant factor that impacted the program. Taking activities to online platforms can be a solution, however, accessibility of students in remote areas should also be considered. Backup plans always should be carefully prepared beforehand.
