US offer to back wildlife enforcement

The United States can help Vietnam tackle a growing problem in wildlife trafficking by organizing training courses for enforcement officials, a senior official said on Nov. 19, 2008.Assistant Secretary Claudia McMurray of the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs told a press conference that the focus of training was shifting now to officials at the regional, provincial and local levels instead of national level as before.She suggested public awareness campaigns similar to those implemented by the US could help reduce the demand for illegal wildlife and wildlife products.McMurray, who began a five-day visit to Vietnam on Nov. 18, 2008 will meet with officials in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho City, Lam Dong and Dong Nai provinces, to highlight the importance of cooperation on climate change research and mitigation, and to encourage efforts to preserve wildlife and prevent wildlife trafficking.Later on Tuesday, she will attend the inauguration ceremony of the Delta Research and Global Observation Network, or “DRAGON” Institute, the first such institute outside the US, at Can Tho University in the Mekong Delta.The DRAGON Institute will bring together Vietnamese and American scientists to cooperate on climate change research and mitigation, as well as other environmental issues.She will travel to the Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai province on Nov. 21, 2008 where she will visit US and international wildlife projects including a bear sanctuary, a gibbon rehabilitation centre, a reforestation area sponsored by Winrock International, and primate research conducted by University of Colorado experts.She is also expected to meet with Da Teh District People’s Committee in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong to discuss sustainable development, and visit a manufacturer of bamboo furniture and handicraft where the workers are trained by Winrock International, a global NGO that works on rural development and sustainable management of natural resources.