28.11.2024

More than one third of Vietnam’s mammal species are at risk of extinction

A recent study published in the open-access journal Nature Conservation reveals that one-third of Vietnam’s 329 mammal species are at risk of extinction. Conducted by German scientist Hanna Höffner from the University of Cologne and Cologne Zoo, in collaboration with an international team, this research highlights Vietnam’s crucial yet delicate role as a biodiversity hub within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.

The findings indicate that 112 mammal species in Vietnam are threatened, even though most can be found in at least one protected area. Certain micro-endemic species are especially at risk since they are not located in any protected regions.

Vietnam boasts a diverse range of mammals, featuring 36 endemic species alongside nine micro-endemic taxa. The primate population is especially remarkable, with 28 species, the largest in mainland Southeast Asia.

Notably, around 40% of the threatened species do not have ex situ conservation programs, which heightens their extinction risk. Among those at risk are for example critically endangered species such as the saola (Pseudoryx vuquangensis), the silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor), and the large-antlered muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis).

The study emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the “One Plan Approach” for the conservation of critically endangered species, re-evaluating Data Deficient species, and improving habitat connectivity.

Read the study to find out more details on the subject.

12.10.2024

Great Success at the EAZA Annual conference 2024!

Ten months after the official launch of Vietnamazing within the EAZA community, the campaign Team gave a big update on the progress so far during the Annual EAZA conference 2024 in Leipzig, Germany.

At the plenary on Wednesday, almost 400 people listened to the progress the campaign had made so far for each flagship species. The ambassador of Vietnam in Germany, Vu Quang Minh, greeted the audience in a video message, thanking the EAZA community for supporting the efforts to save Vietnam´s biodiversity. Additionally, the campaign team was joined by Pham Tuan Ahn of the Viet Nature Conservation Centre, who leads the efforts to reintroduce Vietnamese pheasants to Vietnam´s forests.

On Friday Vietnamazing had the honour of hosting Joel Satore, the photographer behind National Geographic´s Photo Ark. His photos of the Vietnamazing flagship species will soon become part of the campaign´s efforts to further create public awareness and help protect Vietnamese species, habitats and ecosystems.

During the conference the incredible amount of over 111.252 € of donations and pledges has been collected. The Vietnamazing campaign team would like to thank everyone who is already part of it!

However, we are not finished. We will continue to work on linking conservation planning processes, in situ and ex situ conservation with habitat restoration efforts, scientific research, conservation education, fundraising and public awareness to highlight and help protect Vietnam´s biodiversity!

22.08.2024

Brief look on Vietnamese Wilderness and Herpetofauna

The newly published issue of the international journal ’Responsible Herpetoculture Journal (RHJ)” contains a comprehensive article on current species conservation measures in Vietnam. It is the continuation of the article “Behind the Scenes of Cologne Zoo’s Amphibian and Reptile Department”, which also appeared in the RHJ at the beginning of the year, where Vietnam and the current conservation campaigns VIETNAMAZING and Zoo Species of the Year – The Gecko were already the focus of an interview with Cologne Zoo’s Aquarium curator and Vietnam project coordinator Thomas Ziegler.

In the current article, the team of authors, consisting of renowned researchers and conservationists from Vietnam, Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler from Cologne Zoo and Leandro Bergmann, RHJ editor, provide exclusive insights into the biodiversity and fascinating diversity of species in Vietnam, primarily its herpetofauna, but also the country’s habitat richness. However, the threats to this global treasure trove of species are also mentioned and how Vietnam is countering them with conservation measures.

Species conservation organizations active in Vietnam and current species conservation projects are presented, as well as the important topic of environmental education and the involvement of the younger generation based on the Melinh Station for Biodiversity. Of course, VIETNAMAZING, the EAZA species conservation campaign 2024-2025, is presented again. On one hand it aims to preserve Vietnam’s biodiversity in line with the IUCN’s “One Plan Approach to Conservation” with Vietnamese cooperation partners, and on the other hand focuses to bring this species conservation initiative closer to zoo visitors and the public.

Further topics include fundraising, the next steps required for successful species conservation and, of course, the role of the conservation zoo as a modern ark that provides space for species that need help, but can also return them to the wild when conditions there have improved. This is what the “One Plan Approach” is all about – pooling expertise and, where necessary, gaining valuable time through zoo conservation breeding in order to take effective action against species extinction.

Read the article to find out how such projects work and which species are already involved.

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09.08.2024

Vietnamazing all over Europe!

Since the beginning of this year, zoos and aquariums throughout Europe have joined our mission, intensifying their efforts to raise awareness about Vietnam’s biodiversity hotspots. These institutions are actively involved in conservation education, particularly focusing on endangered species in Vietnam. Their initiatives not only serve as educational tools for advocacy but also as fundraising platforms for selected conservation projects.

Ostrava Zoo (Czechia) is offering visitors a deep dive into the world of Vietnamese species through riddles and info stations. Similarly, Heidelberg Zoo (Germany) is engaging visitors with workshops and programmes centred around biodiversity conservation. Lyon Zoo (France) is developing a free 1-hour visit for adults in the Forêt d’Asie Forests of Asia, in which they house 4 of the flagship species. The zoo plans to measure the impact of the events
Meanwhile, Zoom Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen (Germany) is using signage, booths, and species ambassadors to emphasise the dire need for conserving Vietnam’s wildlife. At Cologne Zoo the insectarium now showcases a big polystyrene model of Bertia cambojiensis and at Leipzig Zoo (Germany) you can spot a GIANT Nui chua stick insect and few more Vietnamese species amongst the new insect exhibition.

Numerous special events across Europe are contributing to the cause. Plzen Zoo (Czechia) dedicated its annual May Day event to Vietnamazing. Korkeasaari Zoo (Finnland) used a school conference to involve students in the conservation message. Mulhouse Zoo  (France) has announced a ‘Vietnamazing Sunday,’ during this summer. Lastly, Nordens Ark (Sweden) offered a rare chance for a limited group of people to partake in a special event “Turtle Ark” focusing on the endangered Vietnamese pond turtle – one of our flagship species.

Each initiative incorporates unique approaches, combining entertainment and education to help educate on and advocate for the incredible wildlife of Vietnam. These efforts shed a light on the importance of conservation worldwide, uniting local communities in the shared goal of preserving our planet’s rich biodiversity.

If you would like to share your Vietnamazing activities with us, please send us a message to hello@vietnamazing.com. We look forward to hearing of even more wonderful initiatives.

26.04.2024

Now Available: VietnAmazing merch!

Would you like to support Vietnamazing and help us raise awareness for Vietnamese species?

Then how about wearing a Vietnamazing t-shirt tomorrow, or taking a Vietnamazing tote bag to your weekend outing, or maybe even showing up with a Vietnamazing mug at your next coffee break at work!

All of this is possible with our Vietnamazing merchandise shop. Here you can buy all kinds of amazing products and all profits made from the shop will go towards Vietnamazing´s species conservation projects!

We also considered how to supply you with merch that is as sustainable as possible. Our Partner ensures that all products are sustainably produced in Europe and use non-toxic ink that is 100% bio-degradable. Additionally, you as the customer have the option to choose products with the organic label. All of this means the Vietnamazing merchandise is made in a resource-friendly and environmentally compatible manner.

If your institution is part of the campaign, please check out the members area for special orders. We would love to see all campaign members showcase the Vietnamazing merchandise to their visitors to raise public awareness.

Every purchased product counts and collects donations to save Vietnam´s species. So be part of it, support Vietnamazing and send us pictures of you using the merch!

TO THE SHOP
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01.03.2024

Campaign kick-off

Since the launch of Vietnamazing in September at the EAZA conference 2023, the campaign has seen a steady growth in interest. Currently the campaign has over 115 members from EAZA institutions and conservation partners. Furthermore, some institutions have already taken the first steps in presenting Vietnamazing to their visitors.

The Cologne Zoo Aquarium houses seven of Vietnamazing´s nine flagship species. At the end of last year on the occasion of their annual event ‘Long Night at the Aquarium’ their team seized the opportunity to focus on these highly threatened species. Donations were collected through different information stands on the species biology and the zoos conservation work as well as through backstage tours by keepers. Since the event the Aquarium showcases Vietnamazing to its visitors through diverse new signboards and the movie.

The launch of the campaign at Zoo Leipzig happened on the 10th of February, which is the Vietnamese new year called Tet. As this coincided with the start of the winter holidays, the campaign was presented at an information stand, at which children were encouraged to playfully learn more about the endangered species. Donations were collected at the stand as well as through a qr-code leading to a donation page. The Vietnamazing movie is continuously shown at the Entdeckerhaus Arche, Leipzig’s conservation centre.

In the following months we are looking forward to hearing from more campaign participants about how they showcase Vietnamazing in their institutions and sharing them on this website and the campaign´s social media accounts.

15.09.2023

Vietnamazing

Today, the new EAZA Conservation Campaign “Vietnamazing” was introduced to the EAZA Membership during the Annual Conference in Helsinki, Finland. At the plenary, the campaign was introduced to an audience of almost 900 participants which heard the vision and goals of the campaign. How they can become part of it and the flagship species which will be supported were presented. The keynote was presented by Prof Truong Quang Nguyen, Vice-director of the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) who attended the conference to meet with our zoo community. As a partner in this campaign, he explained why this campaign so important for Vietnams threatened diversity.

Over the next few months, EAZA members and other interested conservation partners can sign up in order to launch the campain in their own institutions. In the meantime, keep an eye on our social media and this website as it will grow with interesting information over the coming months.

We will be working together to build bridges between EAZA institutions, our visitors, Vietnamese and international conservation partners and beyond by linking conservation planning processes, in situ and ex situ conservation with habitat restoration efforts, scientific research, conservation education, fundraising and public awareness to highlight and help protect vietnamazing species, their habitats and ecosystems!

The Vietnamazing campaign team invites you to join forces and be part of it!