11/03/2016
According to environment experts, wildlife trading and the high demand for exotic meat, jewelry, medicine and even pets is a threat not only to bio-diversity, but also to public health. The products has both domestic and international origins, increases the risk of spreading diseases because trafficked animals are not quarantined.
According to the Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, about 5,400 violations related to wildlife management and protection were reported across the country over the last five years. Nearly 60,000 endangered wildlife species were seized.
According to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), there is a trend among young people to raise wild species as pets. The WCS warns that rodents like squirrels and rats carry the potential risk of plague. Reptiles often carry Salmonella, the name of a group of bacteria that causes food poisoning and diarrhea, and imported birds can carry the flu virus.
However, the problem is difficult to handle due to most of the wildlife trafficking cases detected during the customs processing procedure at seaports, but recipients of the goods denied their involvement when contacted by investigators. However, it is difficult to identify goods senders overseas because of the limitations of international judicial assistance. In addition, destroying the products requires funding and, at times, many agencies have to get involved.
The amended Criminal Code 2015, effective in July 2016, mandates a stricter punishment of 15 years in jail and fines up to VND2 billion ($90,000) to violators involved in trafficking endangered wildlife species, hopefully, will help curb the wildlife trade in Vietnam.
Quang Ngọc
