Wildlife farming comes under scrutiny

HANOI, April 24 (VNA) - A forum centred on the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife resources was held in Hanoi on April 22 by the Biodiversity Conservation Agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. At the function, participants discussed conservation models suitable for Vietnam, the farming of endangered animals and things that can be learned from other countries’ experience. They warned that breeding wild animals for profit is increasingly common in Asia, raising the question of whether these farms will help protect wild species. Some attendees suggested banning farming of endangered animals and strict punishment for violators of wildlife protection laws. According to a recent survey of 78 farms in Vietnam, conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Vietnam Forest Protection Department, there are 22 species being raised, including 12 which are nationally endangered and six others which are globally in danger of extinction.-VNA