The Forest Protection Department of Thua Thien Hue province coordinated with WildAid Vietnam and CHOICE Not-for-Profit Company to implement activities to check wildlife violations at 50 restaurants in the province. All restaurants have signed pledges to protect wildlife and say “No” to the consumption of bushmeat.

Restaurant inspection activities and pledge signing

The Forest Protection Department has cooperated with WildAid Vietnam and CHOICE Not-for-Profit Company to establish survey teams and inspect restaurants. Participating in the inspection team were the Mobile Forest Ranger Team and Forest Fire Prevention and Fighting Team No. 1, No. 2, Hue City Forest Ranger District, Huong Thuy Town Forest Ranger District, and the inspection process was recorded by Thua Thien Hue Provincial Television Station.

The restaurants all cooperated well and voluntarily opened the freezers where food is stored for the purpose of inspection. Through examination, only 2 cases with signs of wildlife violations were discovered. The restaurant owners have pledged to alleviate the issue by removing bushmeat dishes from the menu and removing bushmeat advertisement posters.

Encouraged by the inspection team, all 50 restaurants in Thua Thien Hue province actively signed a commitment to say “No” to wild animals.

Conference on Wildlife in Thua Thien Hue

Following the success of restaurant survey and inspection activities, the Conference to disseminate legal documents on wildlife in Thua Thien Hue province was deployed on December 22, 2023. The conference attracted the participation of restaurant owners, representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Information and Communications, Forest Protection Department, personnel of tourism companies and relevant agencies.

At the Conference, delegates were informed about the legal provisions on wildlife protection, and continued to sign a commitment to protect wildlife and say “No” to the consumption of bushmeat and other wildlife products.

The conference also evaluated the situation of handling violations regarding wildlife protection in the province in the last three years and discussed solutions and coordination mechanisms between parties in organizing propagate, mobilize commitments, control and prevent acts of hunting, catching, trapping, trading, transporting and consuming wildlife.

The Restaurant Inspection activities and Conference have contributed to raising awareness among restaurant owners and the community about the importance of protecting wildlife. This is an important step in stopping the trade and consumption of wildlife, contributing to the protection of biodiversity and public health.