Cat Tien National Park partner becomes the second entity in Vietnam to achieve the IUCN Green List status

On June 21, 2024, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) officially recognized Cat Tien National Park as the 72nd protected area in the world to achieve the IUCN Green List status. It is the first national park and the second special-use forest in Vietnam to receive this designation. This proud achievement reflects the persistent efforts of Cat Tien National Park and its partners in conserving nature and biodiversity in Vietnam.

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As a long-term partner of Cat Tien National Park, Save Vietnam’s Wildlife (SVW) extends its sincerest congratulations to the Park and honors its contributions to Vietnam's forests and ecosystems. Since 2021, SVW and Cat Tien National Park have officially signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen wildlife conservation, scientific research, community engagement, and, in particular, law enforcement activities. These efforts provide the foundation for Cat Tien National Park to supply the scientific evidence and documentation needed to demonstrate effective forest management and protection, reduce threats to the forest and wildlife poaching, and increase local community participation and benefits. This evidence has contributed significantly to the evaluation process for the IUCN Green List criteria by the independent expert group in Vietnam.

Biodiversity - Cat Tien National Park

Cat Tien National Park is one of the most biodiverse regions in Vietnam, home to approximately 1,729 animal species and 1,655 plant species, including many rare and endangered animals. It is a critical habitat for large mammals such as elephants, gaur, deer, Siamese crocodiles, and sun bears. It also serves as a distribution area for seven rare primate species, including the southern yellow-cheeked gibbon, black-shanked douc, and silvered langur. Cat Tien is also known as one of the most important habitats for many small mammals, such as the Sunda pangolin and small-clawed otter, as well as over 400 bird species and numerous other wildlife. For this reason, Cat Tien National Park is a hotspot for illegal wildlife hunting and trade.

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A shared vision for people-centered conservation

SVW and Cat Tien National Park understand the importance of people in wildlife conservation and recognize that placing people at the heart of conservation efforts is essential. In recent years, we have collaborated on numerous projects aimed at educating and raising awareness among residents in the buffer zones of Cat Tien National Park regarding wildlife conservation. We have worked with local authorities to launch "Province says no to illegal wildlife consumption" campaigns in Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, and Lam Dong. To date, SVW and Cat Tien National Park have successfully organized 25 workshops and training sessions for local communities on the importance of forests and wildlife. These programs have engaged over 2,000 residents and government officials, with 90% of participants pledging to say no to the illegal hunting, trade, and consumption of wildlife. Additionally, the project has installed 780 propaganda signs and posters throughout Cat Tien National Park, in high-traffic areas and forest entrances, to provide residents with information and knowledge about wildlife conservation. Furthermore, we have initiated a "Community Forest Protection Force" model to provide local residents with a stable income while participating in forest protection work.

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Applying modern science and technology to forest protection in Cat Tien

With the goal of strengthening human resources for forest patrol and protection, SVW has been supporting 15 forest rangers and members of the Community Forest Protection Force to coordinate with Cat Tien National Park rangers in preventing and addressing illegal hunting, deforestation, and the harvesting of forest products. We utilize AI-integrated camera traps to detect unauthorized entry into the forest. For species conservation, we use thermal-imaging drones to track elephants and send alerts to residents and rangers to prevent human-elephant conflict. Additionally, SVW conducts a series of camera trap studies and monitors pangolins after release using Wildlife Drone technology to assess the survival and population changes of the Sunda pangolin and other wildlife. Notably, SVW has trained all Cat Tien National Park rangers and forest protection staff on the use of the SMART mobile patrol application. This app has improved patrol efficiency, helped develop effective patrol plans, and enabled the monitoring and assessment of the park's biodiversity resources. The joint efforts of SVW and Cat Tien National Park have contributed to the detection and prevention of numerous cases of illegal wildlife hunting and trade, resulting in the removal of over 6,000 snares, the confiscation of 17 homemade guns, the destruction of 29 illegal camps, and the arrest of 200 offenders.

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Efforts to restore endangered wildlife species

SVW has supported Cat Tien National Park with food and technical expertise for pangolin rescue operations. To date, 326 Sunda pangolins have been successfully released by SVW into Cat Tien National Park, alongside many others released by the Cat Tien Center for Rescue, Conservation and Development of Creatures, contributing to the recovery of the pangolin population. Each individual is fitted with a radio transmitter for post-release monitoring via drone technology, which has shown that the majority of released Sunda pangolins survive, with the longest-tracked individual monitored for 8 months until its battery expired. Many conservation research activities for wildlife populations continue to be implemented in Cat Tien to protect elephants and other key animal populations.

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Partnering together on a challenging conservation journey

Reflecting on the success of Cat Tien National Park and SVW in conservation efforts, Mr. Nguyen Van Thai, Director of SVW, shared: “The Green List is a well-deserved recognition and tribute to Cat Tien National Park’s efforts in biodiversity conservation. Cat Tien National Park has always been one of SVW’s key strategic partners. We value the Park’s support and partnership, and we are always ready to join hands with them in wildlife and biodiversity conservation activities. The effective collaboration between SVW and Cat Tien National Park is evidenced by the increasing numbers of species populations, the number of people committed to not using wildlife products, the frequency of sightings of endangered species in the Park, and the significant reduction in the number of snares and illegal camps. These achievements serve as a foundation for SVW and Cat Tien National Park to continue working even more closely to expand our models and projects. The journey of conserving wildlife, nature, and biodiversity will continue to face many difficulties and challenges. However, SVW believes that with a shared vision and persistent efforts from both sides, we will continue to bring positive value to the forest and wildlife.”

Once again, congratulations to Cat Tien National Park on receiving the Green List status. SVW looks forward to continuing our partnership with the Park in future meaningful activities and projects, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity in Vietnam and the conservation of endangered and rare wildlife in general, especially those species found only in Cat Tien National Park.