On December 21, representatives from the environmental organization Wildlife at Risk (WAR) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Ho Chi Minh City Forestry Department to establish the first wildlife rescue center in southern Vietnam. This center will be located within the Cu Chi Forestry District in An Nhon Tay, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.
The primary funding for this project comes from the Wildlife at Risk organization through the “Bear” project. The initial construction cost of the “Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Education Center” is over $51,000.
The wildlife rescue center will cover an area of 400 square meters, primarily focusing on reptile species such as snakes and turtles, as well as small mammals. The center will also rescue bears that have suffered from poor living conditions and lack of care or have been illegally kept in private facilities.
The “Bear” project, supported by WAR, aims to help Ho Chi Minh City address the illegal trade of bears, primarily focusing on bear bile extraction. WAR is facilitating the registration of microchip implants for 300 bears. Additionally, through this project, WAR proposes setting up a bear rescue point and suggests sustainable alternatives for bear bile traders. This project commenced on September 1, 2004, and is set to conclude on June 30, 2006, with a total budget exceeding $128,000. |
The rescue operations of the center will prioritize the Ho Chi Minh City area and some neighboring provinces. The center will be situated in a minimally impacted area, ensuring that rescued wildlife is completely isolated from other species and human activities.
The main goal of the center is to receive wildlife that has been hunted, kept in captivity, transported, or illegally traded and is subsequently confiscated for rehabilitation and treatment of their injuries within the rescue facility.
Simultaneously, the center will collaborate with local communities and relevant scientists to select eligible individuals for reintroduction into their natural habitats, where their populations are known to exist after rescue.
In conjunction with both domestic and international research organizations, the rescue center will conduct studies on the behavior, biology, and especially the reproductive physiology of wildlife species, addressing relevant issues that support conservation efforts. Through this, the center will engage in breeding and conserving the genetic resources of several rare species at risk of extinction in semi-natural conditions.
In addition to rescue operations, the center will also serve as a hub for education and wildlife conservation demonstrations. It has the potential to become an ecological tourism destination showcasing live specimens of wildlife.
