A breakthrough in wildlife conservation in Vietnam

11/12/2025

Recently, the Institute of Biology under Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology received 12 individuals of the Vietnamese crocodile lizard – a wildlife species given priority for protection in Vietnam – from Cologne Zoo (Federal Republic of Germany) to support biodiversity conservation efforts. These individuals are currently being bred at the Me Linh Biodiversity Centre to create a source of offspring for future reintroduction into the wild. This activity also contributes to realising the targets of the “National Programme on the Conservation of Endangered, Precious and Rare Wildlife Species Prioritised for Protection to 2030, Vision to 2050”, issued under Decision 49/QD-TTg dated January 8, 2025, by the Prime Minister, as well as the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The Vietnamese crocodile lizard (scientific name: Shinisaurus crocodilurus vietnamensis) is an internationally protected species listed in Appendix I of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and is also a species prioritised for protection in Vietnam under Circular No. 27/2025/BNNMT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. This species is currently facing a high risk of extinction and is classified as Endangered (EN) on both the IUCN Red List and the Vietnam Red Data Book. It is estimated that only around 150 mature individuals remain in the wild in Vietnam.

In recent years, more than 50 individuals of the Vietnamese crocodile lizard have been successfully bred at Cologne Zoo (Federal Republic of Germany). These lizards have undergone genetic analysis confirming that they originate from a natural population in Vietnam. After completing procedures for export and import permits, health checks and animal quarantine, 12 individuals were transferred from Cologne Zoo and arrived at Noi Bai International Airport, Ha Noi, on November 5, 2025, marking a significant milestone in international cooperation on wildlife conservation in Vietnam. At present, the Vietnamese crocodile lizards are being cared for and raised at the Me Linh Biodiversity Centre under the Institute of Biology.

The transfer of individuals of the Vietnamese crocodile lizard also reflects the close and effective cooperation between scientists and conservation experts from Germany and Vietnam, from conducting research on population status and biological and ecological characteristics of the species in the wild to breeding, caring for and raising them in artificial conditions for the purpose of conserving species threatened with extinction. This is an outstanding example of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s “One Plan Approach”, integrating in situ conservation in natural habitats with ex situ conservation breeding. The process of receiving the Vietnamese crocodile lizard was strongly supported by competent authorities, including the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and the Cologne City Veterinary Authority (Federal Republic of Germany); the CITES Management Authority of Vietnam, the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity and the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; as well as relevant authorities of Phu Tho Province. Efforts to protect and restore populations of wildlife species threatened with extinction demonstrate Vietnam’s commitment to implementing international conventions such as CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and its determination to meet national conservation goals as well as the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022), aimed at halting biodiversity loss and promoting harmonious coexistence with nature.

Transfer of the Vietnamese crocodile lizard from Cologne Zoo – Federal Republic of Germany to the Me Linh Biodiversity Centre – Phu Tho Province, Vietnam

Translated by Phuong Huyen
Link to Vietnamese version

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