Another Bear Confiscated (October 16, 2009)
In October, aMalayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus), was confiscated from a petrol station in the southern province of Hau Giang after many months of efforts by ENV’s Major Crimes Officer, Nguyen Ngoc Diep and countless correspondence and discussions with authorities aimed at getting the unregistered and illegal bear turned over to authorities. The case marks another positive example of a provincial government acting decisively in their dealing with illegal bears that are found. In the past, some other provinces have chosen to allow owners to keep illegal bears, interpreting the law lightly, and thereby setting a poor precedent to others that might choose to buy and keep an illegal bear. However, recently, a number of provinces have demonstrated their conviction to end illegal bear trade by confiscating illegal bears that they find. Hau Giang joins the ranks of Yen Bai, Dien Bien, Can Tho, and Hanoi in setting a positive example for other provinces to follow.
The Hau Giang bear was transferred to Wildlife at Risk’s Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Center in Ho Chi Minh. The case was first reported to ENV by a foreign advisor to Wildlife at Risk.