News Brief (E280, 05 September, 2008)

Top News

Hanoi: Forty-four bear feet found illegally being transported
On 29th August, 2008, police apprehended two men for illegally transporting 44 bear feet on their motorbikes. The men attempted to bribe the police with 9.3  million VND but were arrested and had their money confiscated.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Cho_44_chiec_chan_gau_trong_thung_xop.html

Lang Son: Women prevented from illegally transporting 56 monkeys
On 23rd August, 2008, eight local women were caught attempting to transport 56 live monkeys over the border to China. The women reportedly worked for a wildlife trader.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Ngan_chan_vu_van_chuyen_56_con_khi_qua_bien_gioi.pdf

Philippines seizes Vietnamese boat near Malampaya
A Vietnamese fishing boat was seized after it was found poaching near Malampaya (Philippines) About 100 dead sea turtles were found aboard the fishing boat as well as chemicals that could damage coral reefs and marine life.
(English version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Philippines_seizes_Vietnamese_fishing_boat.html
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Vietnamese_poachers_not_the_first_not_the_last_intruders.html

Hanoi: Man recycles waste into fertilizer
A man has discovered the benefits of waste by processing thousands of tons into microorganism fertilizer. His job not only helps the environment but also benefits local farmers.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Bien_chat_thai_thanh_vat_huu_ich.pdf

Thai Nguyen: Rangers risk their lives on the frontline to save forests
During the first half of 2008, local rangers have dealt with nearly 200 cases of forest law violation. This article highlights the sacrifices rangers make in the battle to save Vietnam’s forests.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Mau_van_do_cho_nhung_canh_rung.pdf

Ho Chi Minh City: People dining on snake fetus: a cruel habit
In many restaurants diners are being served a strange food, namely snakes’ fetuses, which are believed to bring good health to the consumer. This cruel habit not only reflects the degradation of these people’s moralities but is also putting many snake species at risk of extinction.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Kinh_hai_mon_an_ha_nam_ran.pdf

Gia Lai: A dead banteng discovered
Police have discovered the head of a slaughtered wild animal hidden in the house of a local man. At this stage it is believed to be the head of a  banteng but local authorities are still working to confirm whether it  is a banteng or a gaur.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Gia_Lai_phat_hien_mot_con_bo_rung_bi_sat_hai.pdf

Self-disintegrating plastic bags cannot be produced on a large scale
Scientists have said that plastic bags made from maize starch, which were believed to be able to self-disintegrate in three months, do not decompose at all. The explanation for this was found in the production process in which manufacturers have been mixing too smaller quantity of maize starch with the other materials. For the time being large scale production of these plastic bags is unlikely to be possible.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Chua_the_san_xuat_dai_tra_tui_nylon_tu_huy_tai_VN.html

Nghe An: People drive away wild elephants causing damage
In the area of Pu Mat National Park, wild elephants have often been reported to be attacking people and destroying forests. Rangers, in collaboration with local residents, have worked hard to drive away the elephants to protect themselves as well as the forests.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Phuc_voi_du_o_Pu_Mat.pdf

Ho Chi Minh City: Toxic waste mixed with domestic waste poses grave risks to the environment
It has been confirmed that in many places in Ho Chi Minh City toxic waste is being buried with non-toxic waste without classification. This activity not only severely pollutes the environment but also negatively affects people’s health.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/Chat_thai_nguy_hai_tron_lan_rac_thuong_hiem_hoa.html

Pollution exhausts marine resources in wetlands in Vietnam
Increasing environmental pollution is posing a severe threat to wetland diversity, which in turn is putting pressure on marine resources.
(Vietnamese version)
http://envietnam.org/E_News/E_280/O_nhiem_lam_ngheo_kiet_nguon_loi_thuy_san_tai_cac_vung_dat_ngap_nuoc.html

Le Thi Tra My                                                  
Communications Officer
Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV)
N5. IF1, lane 192 Thai Thinh Str, Dong Da Dist, Hanoi
Tel/Fax: (84 4) 514 8850
Email: communication.env@fpt.vn