During the period, scientists found out 380 new species of vascular plants and vertebrate animals in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

A wildcat is released into the Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh Province, northern Vietnam, March 2021.

There were 290 new species of plants, 19 of fish, 24 of amphibians, 46 of reptiles, and one species of mammal.

Some of the newly discovered species in Vietnam are highly regarded by scientists worldwide, including Cat Ba begonia (Begonia catbensis) found on the limestone hills of Cat Ba National Park, frog species Quasipaa taoi on Ngoc Linh mountain - the highest peak in central Vietnam, and Intermedius sunbeam snake in a locality within the central Truong Son region (Annamite Range) of Vietnam.

This area is considered part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, harboring globally iconic and endangered species such as tiger, Asian elephant, Sunda pangolin, and giant freshwater stingray. It is also a place where new species have been discovered since 1997, with a total of 3,390 species identified so far, including vascular plant, fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal.

The report also calls for urgent actions to reduce the risk of species extinction and end wildlife trafficking in Vietnam and the region.

To prevent the decline and extinction of species in Vietnam, the Biodiversity Conservation Partnership funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is promoting "rewilding" activities in national parks and nature reserves across the country. 

Through this initiative, it has conducted in-depth scientific analyzes on certain animal species, particularly in Vietnam's Truong Son region, to gather necessary information for creating viable breeding populations that can be reintroduced into the wild after 10-15 years. The partnership plans to establish rescue centers with the necessary conditions to care for priority species under captive conditions, particularly in central Vietnam.

In the near future, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will work closely with relevant ministries, departments, localities, and organizations to fine-tune legal documents on nature conservation and biodiversity, and develop guidelines and directives on restoring natural ecosystems to contribute to biodiversity conservation, disaster prevention, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development.

The ministry will also continue enhancing the capacity of the State management agencies and the contingent of officials responsible for nature conservation and biodiversity, while building and carrying out mechanisms for coordination between State management agencies, political-social organizations, and development partners in the field.

#Run4WildlifeHN to return in November

The annual race #Run4WildlifeHN will return to Hanoi on November 6 after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, said Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV), the country’s first non-governmental organisation focusing on wildlife conservation.

Short film calls for report on wildlife violations

Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV) has released a short film calling for the community to report violations of wildlife protection provisions to its free hotline 1800-1522.

Vietnamese young writer honoured with international award on wildlife conservation

Young writer Trang Nguyen (Nguyen Thi Thu Trang) from Vietnam was honoured with the Princess of Girona Foundation (FPdGi) International Award 2022 at a ceremony held in Girona (Spain) on July 4.

Vu Quang national park receives rare wild animals

The Vu Quang National Park in the central province of Ha Tinh on August 11 received an Assam macaque and a pangolin from the local border force.

Ninh Binh’s national park receives five rare wild cats

The Cuc Phuong National Park in the northern province of Ninh Binh has freshly received five wild cats to take care of at its centre for species rescue, conservation, and development.

Source: VnExpress