About Us
Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) is a Vietnamese Non-Profit Organisation that was founded on the critical need for more effective solutions to secure a future for Vietnamese wildlife. SVW collaborates with Cuc Phuong National Park to support the management and operation of the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP). It supports the conservation of the Sunda and Chinese Pangolin through rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction, research and conservation education.
Of the 8 species of pangolins worldwide, two occur in Viet Nam: the Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). As Viet Nam is one of the few countries which has populations of two pangolin species, it is a priority country for pangolin conservation in Asia. Viet Nam plays a very important role in pangolin conservation – many of the pangolins and much of the pangolin products within the wildlife trade are either destined for, or move through Viet Nam, both by land and by sea.
In order to conserve these critically endangered species, the Cuc Phuong National Park launched the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP). The CPCP is committed to rescuing and rehabilitating wild populations of threatened carnivores and pangolins in Viet Nam. SVW collaborates with the Cuc Phuong National Park to support the management and operation of the CPCP.
ASAP Species That We Work On
What We Do
SVW is committed to Ensuring a secured future for threatened wildlife in Vietnam.
Organisational aims include:
- Delivering effective education programs to empower people to take informed action.
- Working with Government to effect positive, long-lasting change for wildlife.
- Rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing confiscated threatened wildlife, and contributing to conservation-breeding programs for globally-threatened species, in support of wild populations.
- Increasing understanding of conservation requirements of threatened wildlife through rigorous scientific research.
- Demonstrating and promoting good animal welfare to organisations throughout Vietnam.
Rehabilitation and Reintroduction
SVW aims to release all rescued, rehabilitated, and captive-born pangolins back to the wild, provided there is sufficient protection and adequate habitat for their survival. Habitat condition, evidence of wild populations and the hunting pressures are considered to maximise the survival rate of released animals and ensure they will support wild populations.
SVW also ensures that animals undergo health checks prior to their release.
Research
In order to effectively conserve these threatened species, more needs to be understood about their ecology and biology. SVW helps to further our knowledge of these poorly understood species by conducting research on both captive and wild pangolins.
The SVW field teams carry out field studies to improve the understanding of wildlife ecology, status and conservation requirements. These studies will also aid in finding suitable habitats for reintroducing wildlife and monitoring species post-release.
Working with Law Enforcement
SVW works with Vietnamese law enforcement officers to promote positive perceptions and attitudes towards wildlife conservation. This involves practical training on species identifications, handling skills for confiscated wildlife, and promoting appropriate placement options for confiscated wildlife. SVW also works with the Central Vietnamese Government to effect change in wildlife laws, and encourage legislative protection of Vietnam’s wildlife.
SVW will work to identify the strong-holes for pangolins in Vietnam which we aim to work close with local government authorities to improve the habitat protection and monitor the wild pangolin population changes.
Conservation Education
SVW employs a variety of tools to engage target audiences in order to promote positive perceptions and attitudes supporting the conservation of wildlife. SVW aims to create attitudinal change through building awareness and communicating messages that create positive perceptions of their species.
- Conducting social surveys to help understand the characteristics of target groups, identify local needs and establish the conservation requirements of targeted species;
- Building the capacity of rangers, students and animal keepers;
- Using traditional and electronic media and educational publications to gain public support for saving wildlife;
- Create awareness campaigns among public or target audience to reduce the pangolin demand
- The construction of a Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Education Centre which aims to educate and raise awareness in the conservation and welfare of carnivores and pangolins amongst visitors to Cuc Phuong National Park and target group in future.
It is hoped that all these efforts will help to reduce the human-related threats faced by all wildlife species in Viet Nam.
Developing animal welfare within Vietnam
SVW aims to model best practice animal husbandry and promote animal welfare throughout the country. By working in collaboration with wildlife rehabilitation centres and zoological institutions throughout Viet Nam, SVW promotes positive animal welfare through demonstrative and theoretical training, holding behavioural enrichment workshops, and providing advice and support on supplying appropriate enclosures and diets for captive wild animals.
Where We Work
Viet Nam
Photo Credits
Featured image: Roland Wirth