The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is working on a project to help Vietnam prevent wildlife smuggling in the central highlands province of Lam Dong and the southern province of Dong Nai. Launched in 2008, the project which slated for implementation through the end of this year will help protect the wildlife there, where a large acreage of forests with high bio-diversity and many rare animal species on the endangered list is located, said the WCS. The localities are considered transitional areas for illegal wildlife trafficking to Ho Chi Minh City, the Saigon Giai phong newspaper reported Thursday. Dr. Scott Roberton, manager of the project said that the project will hold more training courses for environmental officials from the two provinces to strengthen their capacity in the field. It is estimated that 600-1,200 kg of rare animals in Lam Dong are consumed a day, the newspaper added.
