Animals Asia’s work has kept bear bile farming in the spotlight in Vietnam, but the country needs more heroes to tackle its widespread animal welfare issues.

National zoos and animal rescue centres are under-funded and staff under-qualified, while the rise of commercial captive animal facilities presents new welfare issues for the country.

Animals Asia staff have a wealth of experience and expertise which other organisations lack — that’s why they’re sharing their knowledge to help more animals.

Hanoi Zoo has been a long-term receiver of assistance from Animals Asia. Training and advice over a number of years has helped the zoo improve the animal welfare at their facilities including unchaining their elephants for the first time in years.

Now Animals Asia is working with them again and inviting others to take part too. The charity has started quarterly sessions at the zoo giving presentations on veterinary topics such as wound management and anaesthesia.

The sessions have so far helped train staff at six captive animal facilities including four rescue centres. The will to continue the sessions has been unanimous and could potentially see improved animal welfare for hundreds of animals around the country.

Capacity building

Wildlife trafficking remains an acute issue in Vietnam with the country having become a hub for the wildlife trade in recent years.

Thankfully, efforts to halt the trade are also on the increase with the authorities cracking down and home-grown organisations springing up to help care for the animals paying the price of greed.

To manage these facilities and provide health care for the animals recovering in them, the country needs qualified and experienced staff as quickly as possible.

To this end, Animals Asia is working with domestic organisations like Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW). Lam Kim Hai, a veterinarian who recently joined the SVW team, spent two weeks in August at the Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre.

By spending time with Animals Asia’s experienced team, Hai was able to deepen his knowledge of animal welfare and gain first hand experience of an international standard rescue centre.

Hai is just one of a new generation of animal heroes in Vietnam. They are the people who will help the country move beyond cruelty and protect the nation’s wildlife heritage.

Using Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre as a model and staff as teachers, Animals Asia can equip Hai and those like him with the skills they need to create the cruelty-free country they crave.

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