Rare Wildlife Conservation Program – Vietnamazing (Amazing Vietnam)

On the basis of the above initiative, the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) has initiated Vietnam's Rare Wildlife Conservation Program, named Vietnamazing, with the goal of conserving wildlife and their habitats. This program calls for the support of EAZA members for the wildlife conservation project and environmental education activities to raise public awareness about biodiversity conservation in Vietnam. Millions of visitors to zoos in Europe will be introduced to the main theme of the program as well as the importance of preserving wild species. 

The "Amazing Vietnam" program not only showcases Vietnam's unique values of biodiversity but also aims to protect unique ecosystems and conserve endangered wildlife species under the "One Plan" approach. The "One Plan" approach applies both conservation in situ and relocation through mobilizing all relevant stakeholder resources to most effectively protect wild species. During EAZA's Annual Meeting held in Helsinki (Finland) at the end of 2023, this Program was officially launched with the slogan "Be a part of the Program".

Introducing the "Amazing Vietnam" Program - Vietnamazing in Helsinki, Finland

In this program, zoos that are members of EAZA will collaborate with scientific agencies and nature conservation organizations to carry out activities such as scientific research, conservation of natural habitats, restoration and development of populations of endemic animals of Vietnam in the period of 2024-2025. The "Amazing Vietnam" program has selected nine target species groups and priority activities, including:

Magnolia snail (Bertia cambojiensis): This species is currently only distributed in some southern provinces and is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Priority activities include: 1) Completing the technical process of breeding this rare snail; 2) Building a model of breeding for conservation purposes in Vietnam; 3) Researching on the current status of populations and implementation of species conservation activities in Vietnam.

King mountain stick beetle (Nuichua rabaeyae): This species is currently only recorded in Nui Chua National Park, Ninh Thuan Province. Priority activities include: 1) Assessing the current state of the population and identifying factors threatening species; 2) Building a model of conservation breeding in Vietnam; 3) Preserving the habitat of species in Nui Chua National Park.

Tiger Reef Fish (Sewellia lineolata): A tiger reef fish that is commonly kept for ornamental purposes, this species is ranked as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Priority activities include: 1) Researching on population status and threats to species habitats; 2) Developing a model of breeding for conservation purposes in Vietnam.

Vietnamese Toad Fish (Tylototriton vietnamensis): The Vietnamese Toad Fish is classified as Endangered in the Vietnam Red List and Will Be Endangered in the IUCN Red List. Toadfish species distributed in Vietnam are currently listed in Appendix II of CITES and Decree 84/2021/ND-CP of the Government. Priority activities include: 1) Monitoring populations and assessing species threat factors; 2) Analyzing genetic of newly discovered populations; 3) Replicating the conservation breeding model; 4) Strengthening conservation measures; 5) Re-releasing to restore species populations if necessary; 6) Raising public awareness of species conservation.

Edward’s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi): Edward’s Pheasant is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Priority activities include: 1) Raising awareness of species conservation and threats; 2) Developing a model of conservation breeding in Vietnam to create a source of breeding for population recovery; 3) Identifying suitable areas for natural restocking; 4) Mobilizing the participation of local communities in species conservation; 5) Applying genetic analysis to identify individuals capable of reproduction; 6) Developing a species conservation action plan.  

Vietnamese mossy frogs (Theloderma spp.): According to the IUCN Red List, there are 24 species of mossy frogs in the world, of which 5 species are threatened with extinction recorded in Vietnam. Priority activities include: 1) Assessing the population status and threat factors for narrow endemic species; 2) Studying and classifying to determine the level of diversity in species composition; 3) Developing a dossier of inclusion of narrow, endangered endemic species in the Red List of Vietnam and the IUCN Red List; 4) Implementing on-site conservation programs in forest areas outside protected areas; 5) Building a model of conservation and relocation in Vietnam.

Northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys): The White-cheeked gibbon is ranked as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Priority activities include: 1) Conserving in EAZA zoos and animal rescue centers in Vietnam; 2) Developing a re-release program in Vietnam; 3) Establishing a system of conservation facilities to relocate in Vietnam; 4) Improving the capacity and facilities of zoos and wildlife rescue centers; 5) Developing conservation strategies for relocation of apes in the species' natural distribution areas.

Vietnamese pond turtle (Mauremys annamensis): Vietnamese pond turtle is endemic to Central Vietnam and is classified as Critically Endangered and very rare in the wild. Priority activities include: 1) Analyzing the environmental DNA to identify the remaining populations in the wild; 2) Assessing suitable habitat for re-release of turtles that have been bred for breeding; 3) Establishing habitat species conservation zones in the historical distribution area of the species; 4) Implement a species population restoration program when suitable restocking sites are identified.

Vietnamese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus vietnamensis): This is a reptile with a narrow distribution in Southern China and Northern Vietnam, the population in our country is estimated at about 150 adults. It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendix I and is a priority species for protection in Government decrees. Priority activities include: 1) Protecting the habitat within the natural distribution of species, minimizing the impact of threats; 2) Continue monitoring the populations and habitats, assessing impact factors; 3) Making surveys to identify more populations in Vietnam; 4) Continue researching on genetics; 5) Identifying suitable sites for restocking in the wild; 6) Expanding the conservation farming model in Vietnam; 7) Transferring individuals breeding in Europe to Vietnam for population recovery; 8) Propagating to raise public awareness about species conservation.

Target species in EAZA's Wildlife Conservation Program in Vietnam

In the future, Vietnam's partners will work closely with European zoos and aquariums, German Agency for Nature Conservation, wildlife conservation associations as well as domestic conservation agencies and organizations such as Wildlife Conservation Organization,  Cuc Phuong National Park, Cat Ba National Park, Cat Tien National Park, Nui Chua National Park and other agencies implement specific activities of the "Amazing Vietnam" program, including in-situ and relocation conservation programs, in order to contribute to the conservation of precious and rare endemic wildlife of Vietnam, contributing to the preservation and development of the country's biodiversity values.

The delegation of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology led by Vice President Tran Tuan Anh visited and worked with the Cologne Zoo (Germany) and visited the reptile and amphibian conservation facility

Conservation of crocodile lizards and conservation of central turtles at Me Linh Biodiversity Station

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version