Save Vietnam’s Wildlife aims to ensure that our rescue centre serves as a role model for other centres within Vietnam in wildlife rescue management and welfare standards. We lead the way for other organisations across Vietnam and overseas in pangolin rehabilitation by demonstrating the highest animal care standards and providing other facilities with technical advice and training. We have used the development of SVW and our improved outreach capabilities to directly work with other rescue centres in Vietnam. SVW has provided expertise, staff training, and logistical and financial support to help improve animal welfare standards and the capacity of the keepers in several government rescue centres in Vietnam. We have also employed dedicated animal keepers and veterinary staff and improved animal husbandry practices and quarantine procedures.
A professional captive breeding team with high capacity
Write husbandry guidelines, and protocols to share with other organisations so that they could use our guidelines, and protocols to improve their quality; training is given to specific organisation’s need
Cooperation between rescue centres
It is better to have face-to-face instructions at rescue centres than online support.
It is needed to establish an association of wildlife rescue centres to coordinate rescue operations across the country
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
From the conception of the PREDICT project through to today’s day-to-day laboratory management, partners working effectively across sectors has been an essential building block. The PREDICT project brought conservation and health nonprofits and Malaysian federal and local government departments together to collaborate on zoonotic disease surveillance. Over the last 10 years the WHGFL has been able to expand into new surveillance, genetic, and forensic research as capacity is built through open and productive collaboration. The Sabah Wildlife Department has scaled up their involvement increasing their funding for the WHGFL each year and leading the management committee. The management committee ensures the multiple projects utilizing the small laboratory are coordinated and organized, especially as new projects come on board and the scope of work expands.
A One Health approach was employed at every step, ensuring priorities of different sectors were heard and respected. Siloed sectors were brought together to meet a shared goal of conservation through zoonotic disease screenings that promoted human and wildlife health. By highlighting the interconnection of human, animal, and environmental health, collaboration, instead of competition, was emphasized and promoted. Wildlife disease screening results provided Sabah State Health Department with actionable data to inform risk mitigation policies at the state level.
Multiple partners were involved with the renovation of an empty building to create a laboratory meeting international biosafety and biosecurity standards, and while the initial investment was from outside sources, in recent years local leadership has taken on a larger role in management. The success of the PREDICT project demonstrated the importance of the laboratory to local and global research efforts, earning a larger investment, both financial and bandwidth-wise, from local leaders. This has allowed budding partnerships to further develop and deepen over time.
When the PREDICT project began working in Sabah there was no laboratory dedicated to wildlife sample testing that met the necessary standards for biosafety. The financial and logistical hurdles of building the necessary infrastructure from the ground up were too high for this project, making a brand-new lab not an option. Instead, SWD and CM identified an existing empty building belonging to SWD in Sabah and renovated it to meet international laboratory standards, as detailed in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories Guidelines (6th Ed.) for Biosafety Containment Level 2 requirements, to establish the WHGFL. These upgrades saved the project time and money, allowing samples to safely remain in Sabah for virus screening and creating a state-of-the-art lab for SWD and DGFC to pursue genetic and forensic research.
While the existence of current physical infrastructure that can be built upon is the most important factor, support from the Sabah state government, Sabah Wildlife Department and Dr Stuart D. Blacksell from MORU enabled the necessary changes to be carried out.
As vital as a biosafe and bio-secured laboratory is for any area aiming to do disease screenings, most locations do not have the space, capacity, or resources to build the required infrastructure from the ground up. While facing this logistical and financial challenge, the project team found innovative solutions using the resources currently available in-country and low-cost sustainable solutions to create this state-of the art facility. When designing a laboratory, it is important to consider exactly what samples, activities and processes will be conducted in the lab, conduct a full risk, and gap assessment and design a facility to manage these risks and hazards tailored to your specific needs.
Assisting the Community: Alternative Livelihood Measures
Preparing soil for Ginger plantation
yes
With the forest left undisturbed, forest-dependent communities have few options for their livelihood sustenance. Therefore, the LEMSACHENLOK Society started to introduce alternative livelihood measures for the economically downtrodden. Income generation activities such as piggery promotion, ginger plantation, packaging and sale of certain products are initiated on our own small scale.
Acceptance of one’s specific role in a community-initiated work. We needed to prepare for possible livelihood alternatives, even including contributions from our own organisation. The Society’s management team had extended economic assistance by integrating income generation activities.
Global communities should recognize the indigenous communities that are involved in nature conservation, and facilitate to empower them to be an agent of change towards creating a healthy sustainable environment.
For many years, the Biodiversity Conservation initiative created a favourable environment and healthy ecosystem in the area. As a result, the migrating Amur falcons saw the area as a haven for roosting. The communities continue to provide a suitable environment for these visiting raptors. With many tourists visiting to see the Amur falcon roosting, the community constructed an innovative wildlife Watch Tower in strategic locations to provide a beautiful view of the roosting falcons.
A Community willing to learn and accept ideas relevant to the present context and at the same time also voluntarily contribute their own resources and time whenever necessary.
Working together as a community can be a learning experience and many great things can be achieved through teamwork with limited available resources.
Sensitization, Capacity Building and Field Survey for Data Collection and Monitoring
Documentation of species diversity
yes
Data collection and Monitoring
yes
Lack of awareness due to poor sensitization is often the main reason for little understanding of environmental issues. Sharing proper information supported by valid scientific/practical proof will convince communities that are unfortunately less educated, economically deprived and directly forest dependent. Equip them not only with true information but also with tools such as camera trapping, and support for species identification and naming. Such an approach will develop a sense of belonging and inculcate ownership of the cause/purpose.
Realization of the need for a common cause at the local level with broader implications.
To make a connection with nature and the environment, our activities - wherever possible - are carried out in close association with nature. Seminars and other capacity building activities can be conducted in the jungle to create a real-time experience in nature and connect with its rich floral and faunal resources.
Each village is known to have a distinct set of rules and functions for social coexistence. The village community is composed of various groups that function independently to manage certain areas for their welfare in the community. However, for a common cause such as Biodiversity Conservation initiatives, these various institutions can be converged and function as a single entity.
A community willing to learn and accept ideas relevant to promote sustainability growth.
Building a good relationship with the community.
A genuine intention of the working members to contribute to a global cause.
It is possible to make things happen if there is a genuine intention.
