Conservation Planning Workshop for Owston's Civet

The four-day workshop included over 60 participants from 35 organisations. Working groups focused on three core themes: site-based conservation, the illegal wildlife trade, and the conservation breeding program. The agreement on objectives and actions are now being drafted as a species strategy which will be finished in June and then translated into Vietnamese, Laos and Chinese. This is the first step in the reinvigorated recovery programme for Owston’s Civet. We would like to express a huge thank you to everyone who participated in and supported this workshop, particularly the IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, Friends of Tallinn Zoo and Ocean Park Conservation Foundation!

More pangolins saved in our hands

Within a month, from four different illegal wildlife trade cases, we rescued in total 42 pangolins. One Sunda pangolins was transferred from Police Department of Ha Tinh province to Pu Mat rescue center and this individual is in good condition. Four pangolins died, out of 39 pangolins rescued at Hung Yen province. The rest of 38 pangolins are now in good health and nice shape that will be ready for releasing in near future.

Collaboration with Turtle Conservation Center

In collaboration with Indo Myanmar Conservation and Cuc Phuong national park, 1 male Yellow-headed Temple Turtle was transferred to Cuc Phuong together with 14 big-headed turtles. It is part to support the conservation breeding program and reintroduction. On the 23rd of April 2019, SVW also supported Cuc Phuong NP to rescue 17 turtles of 4 different species Ha Tinh province after the police of Ha Tinh has sent a request to transfer animals to us.

New lessons and equipment to Vet team

Our vet team received training from veterinary pathologist Elizabeth Dobson from Australia. Elizabeth, along with zoo veterinarian Leanne Wicker, trained our team in how to perform necropsies in a very particular way. 

In addition, with the help of Leanne and Elizabeth, our vet team made relationships with the head pathologist and virologist at the Hanoi National University of Agriculture. From now on, samples will be submitted to this lab we will receive high level histopath results in addition to a whole list of testing options for samples that we did not have access to before.

Along with all of these successes, we also had brand new anesthesia equipment donated by Australian Volunteers for International Development, Australian Aid and Advanced Anesthesia Specialists. This equipment is brought as prize that Leanne won from the GoBack<>GiveBack Competition held by Australian Volunteers last year.

Ms. Ngan guest speaker in a book introduction event

On April 4, our Education and Outreach Coordinator, Ngan Le attended the Talk show to introduce the book "Le Monde Selon Tippi" organized by Kim Dong Publishing House. Ngan was one of the guest speakers who shared her 5-year experience in working on wildlife conservation and inspire young people to care for wildlife. The event helped promote SVW in Vietnam, and brought an opportunity for collaboration of educational publications in the future.

IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group -14th international otter congress

Dung and Dan attended the 14th International Otter Congress held in Tangjihae National Nature Reserve, China. Dung and Dan presented on the status of otters in Vietnam, as well some of SVW's plans for its group of trade-confiscated Asian Small-clawed Otters.  Dung and Dan were lucky enough to be in one of China's premiere nature reserves and saw Takin, Chinese Tufted Deer and Chinese Serow. Although much of the forest is poor quality, hunting has been eradicated and apart from the large carnivores, most wildlife species are now recovering. This is another excellent example that many wildlife species do not pristine habitats; as long as hunting is controlled, animals can recover. Special thanks to the IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group and Kadoorie Farm and Botanical Garden for sponsoring our attendance at the workshop.

Monitoring pangolins in Cat Tien NP

We have completed eight months of continuous monitoring for one our released Sunda pangolin. The monitoring has used a combination of VHF transmitters and camera-traps. To our knowledge, this is the longest period of time a released Sunda Pangolin has been monitored for. We are now planning replace the transmitter on pangolin to extend the monitoring. Special thanks to USFWS for supporting this important work!

We say "Hello"

Meet our new members: Nhâm and Diễm

Nguyen Thi Nham was graduated from University of Foreign and International Study, Vietnam National University in Hanoi in 2015. She has 3-years’ experience in Tourist. After few years working far away from her family, she wants to come back home and contribute to protect wildlife in her home town.

Ho Le Kieu Diem was graduated with an undergraduate degree as Veterinary Medicine at Nong Lam University - HCM City. Diem then spent a few months working in a Veterinary Clinic before moving to work as a Veterinary Intern at Animal Asia for 2 years.

We truly celebrate for having them in our team. We believe in their skills, talents, and knowledge will contribute to SVW’s improvement. Welcome aboard, Nham and Diem!

And "Goodbye"

With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to

Lam Kim Hai, a talented and passionate Veterinary. Hai was one of the first Vets at SVW and he had worked with us for 3 years. He was the mother of all baby pangolins, including Kim and Pika and the great doctor for all animals at our rescue center. Hai is always active and hunger to learn, always on the lookout for innovation and solution. Hai will continue career at Animal Asia. We deeply thanks to Hai’s contribution to SVW and wish him all the best for his future.