January 22, 2025 | 13:56 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Wednesday- 10:15, 02/06/2021

Vietnam hands over 56 rhino horn DNA samples to South Africa

(VAN) This is the fifth time Vietnam has handed over the DNA samples of rhino horns seized from the illegal wildlife trafficking trade to South Africa.
The CITES Management Authority of Vietnam hands over the rhino horn ADN samples to South Africa. Photo: Vnforest.

The CITES Management Authority of Vietnam hands over the rhino horn ADN samples to South Africa. Photo: Vnforest.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the CITES Management Authority of Vietnam (Vietnam Administration of Forestry ) in collaboration with the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources held a  handover of 56 rhino horn DNA samples to South African Embassy in Haoi on June 1st.

Combating illegal wildlife trade in general and rhino's parts in particular is of special concern of Vietnamese legal agencies.

In recent years, Vietnamese police and customs investigated many cases of  illegal rhino horn trafficking trade, arresting and prosecuting a big number of smugglers. In which there were two cases in 2020 including the seizure of  93kg of rhino horn at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in December 22, 2020  and the seizure of 7.8 kg of rhino horn at Van Don International Airport in December 12, 2020.

The handover of rhino horn samples to South Africa is a part of Vietnam's responsible implantation implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) including Resolution Conf.9.14 on the Conservation of and trade in African and Asian rhinoceroses. It also demonstrates the closed cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of South Africa in combating illegal wildlife trade," said Pham Van Dien, Deputy head of the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST)

"The fact that Vietnam hands over rhino horn samples to CITES Management Authority of South Africa today via South African Embassy in Vietnam is a concrete evidence that the two countries share the common commitment on combating illegal wildlife trade.

In fact, the activity will contribute to the protection of the big mammals ensuring that our next generations have opportunity to see these wonderful animals on earth", South African Ambassador in Vietnam MK Lekgoro said.

The handover of the DNA samples from the country where rhino horns are seized to the country where rhinos live will help the authorities in both Vietnam and South Africa trace origins of smuggled rhino horns in the market. Thanks to that, those involving poaching, trading, transporting and importing in the illegal supply chain can be found and arrested .

Author: Nguyen Huan. Translated by Mai Tham.

Plant genetics discovery could revolutionize fertilizer use in farming

Plant genetics discovery could revolutionize fertilizer use in farming

(VAN) Discover how a genetic mutation in plants enhances partnerships with soil microbes, reducing fertilizer use and boosting sustainable farming practices.

Sustainable management of over 4.000 hectares of degraded forest in 3 biosphere reserves

Sustainable management of over 4.000 hectares of degraded forest in 3 biosphere reserves

(VAN) This is the result after 5 years of implementing the project, which was carried out by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

EU–Vietnam Cooperation: Advancing agriculture for sustainable development

EU–Vietnam Cooperation: Advancing agriculture for sustainable development

(VAN) The DeSIRA Connect workshop created opportunities for collaboration, emphasizing the integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific advancements to inform policy-making toward more efficient agricultural systems.

‘The labor shortage will only get worse:’ Trump deportation plans could hit Pa. agriculture hard

‘The labor shortage will only get worse:’ Trump deportation plans could hit Pa. agriculture hard

(VAN) Trump’s mass deportation pledge could disrupt Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy as the status of 30,000 farm workers comes under question.

The future of sustainable marine aquaculture in Vietnam and Norway

The future of sustainable marine aquaculture in Vietnam and Norway

(VAN) Marine spatial planning, enhanced forecasting capabilities, and the provision of marine insurance are key focus areas in aquaculture cooperation between Vietnam and Norway.

One quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction

One quarter of freshwater fauna threatened with extinction

(VAN) The largest global assessment of freshwater animals on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species reveals that 24% of the world’s freshwater fish are at high risk of extinction.

Shifting toward premium agricultural trade between Vietnam and the U.S.: Insights from the USDA

Shifting toward premium agricultural trade between Vietnam and the U.S.: Insights from the USDA

(VAN) The quality of agricultural products is not only key to winning the trust of international consumers but also crucial to attracting investments in food processing and production technology.

Read more