We’re going to need more than a ban on elephant hunting to save the magnificent creatures from extinction in Vietnam.
According to the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnamese authorities do not know how many elephants live here because they have simply never tried to count.
Figures released by international experts at a conference this week indicated that Vietnam was home to around 258-305 elephants in 1995, but the number had fallen to 100 by 2002.
In May 2006, the Prime Minister approved an “emergency” initiative to protect elephants in the country through 2010.
But only one province, Nghe An, has even drawn up any elephant protection plans, and the plans are still awaiting approval and funding from the central government.
Dong Nai Province has spent two years arguing with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development about whether the province or the ministry should pay the VND108 million (US$5,843) for a survey of the region’s elephants before drawing up plans to protect them.
Since the quarrel began, at least six elephants have died in the two provinces, and local agencies have failed to investigate the causes of their deaths.
Provincial authorities recently agreed to pay for the survey but said a plan would not be completed until 2010.
There are only an estimated 10 elephants left in Dong Nai and the slow action provides them no safety.
Meanwhile, our neighbors in Cambodia have completed and implemented far-reaching elephant protection plans.
Tuy Servathana, director of the Cambodia elephant preservation project, told a conference in Vietnam last week that the country had positioned quick action teams in areas where conflicts between residents and elephants often occurred.
The teams use movable electric fences, powered by solar energy, and an automatic system that releases repellent gas when elephants are detected near residential areas.
They have also managed to persuade many hunters to join the teams.
Vietnam should take a clue from Cambodia.
If we remain indifferent, we’ll be responsible for the extinction of yet another animal from the Vietnamese wilderness.By Hoang Tuan, Source: Thanhniendaily.
