Protect Endangered Wildlife Against Exploitation

Thank you for your continued support of our efforts in combating the illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam. We would like to provide you with a brief update on our progress since the last report.

Between May and August 2026, the ENV Wildlife Crime Unit received a total of 881 new wildlife crime cases, mostly involving advertising and selling wildlife, especially wild birds, on social media such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Zalo. During this period, our team has successfully addressed 607 crime cases. Below are some major successes:

Bears

On June 2, 2026, Khanh Hoa PC03 responded to a public report via the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline, arrested the subject, and confiscated 20 Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) claws at a coffee shop. He was first reported to ENV in June 2022 for advertising animal claws, canines, and ivory products (Case ref. 24164/2026).

Birds

On May 16, 2026, the Economic Police of Hai Phong City Police responded to a public report via the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline and confiscated 829 songbirds. The shop owner was prosecuted. The birds were released into the wild (Case ref. 26860/ENV).

On May 16, 2026, the Economic Police of Hai Phong City Police, in cooperation with local authorities, responded to a public report via the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline and confiscated 87 songbirds from a shop. The shop owner was arrested, and all birds were released into nature (Case ref. 35393/ENV).

On May 16, 2026, the Economic Police of Hai Phong City Police responded to a public report via the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline and confiscated 101 songbirds from a shop. The shop owner was arrested, and all birds were released into nature (Case ref 35771/ENV).

On June 4, 2026, Tam Thanh FPD in Phu Tho province responded to an ENV online crime report, comprising an online supplier's profile and evidence of his violations, and gave him an administrative fine of VND 16,250,000 for advertising raptors, red-whiskered bulbuls, and other wild birds (Case ref. 36310/ENV).

Ivory and Rhino Horns

On August 6, 2026, Gia Lai Economic Police, in coordination with Customs, inspected a shipment imported from the Republic of the Congo and seized 1,193 kg of ivory and 79.3 kg of animal bones. The illegal goods were hidden in 12 hollowed-out timber containers.  Following the investigation, authorities arrested two individuals (Case ref. 37753/ENV).

On May 8, 2026, a major transnational wildlife trafficker was arrested in Senegal following a three-year investigation that stemmed from a major ivory and rhino horn seizure by Customs in Hanoi in 2023. The seizure comprised of four suitcases containing 54.16 kg of African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory and 22.63 kg of rhino horns. The transporter and two airport employees were arrested and sentenced to 5-6 years each. A Red Notice was issued for the trafficker's arrest (Case ref. 27715/ENV).

Pangolins

On February 18, 2026, Indonesian authorities seized 3,053 kg of pangolin scales. The shipment was officially declared as sea cucumbers and instant noodles. On August 26, 2026, authorities arrested the Vietnamese buyer based on information provided by ENV (Case ref. 36847/ENV).

On July 11, 2026, with support from ENV, Gia Dinh Ward People's Committee and FPD in Ho Chi Minh City received a pangolin from a local resident. The pangolin was placed at Thao Cam Vien Zoo (Case ref. 37853/ENV).

Turtles

On July 8, 2026, Dong Hoa ward police in Ho Chi Minh City responded to a public report via the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline and confiscated 38 elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongata) from a seller's residence. The subject was fined VND 10,000,000 for selling the turtles. He was reported to ENV in June 2025 (Case ref. 37753/ENV).

On July 8, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City FPD responded to a public report via the ENV Wildlife Crime Hotline and confiscated two elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongata), a red-breasted parakeet (Psittacula alexandri), and a green-cheeked parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae) from a local cafe shop. On July 16, 2026, the cafe shop was issued an admin fine of VND 3,000,000. The animals were placed at Cu Chi Rescue Center (Case ref. 37823/ENV).

On June 11, 2026, Tay Ninh provincial authorities responded to an ENV online crime report, comprising an online supplier's profile and evidence of violations, and confiscated a large quantity of wildlife from his house, consisting of 92 Sulcata tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata) and 18 wild birds (Case ref. 34110/ENV).

Facebook Groups

On May 4, 2026, Facebook deactivated a wildlife trading group called "Parrot Raising Tips Group", following a report submitted by ENV through the Ministry of Communication. The group had 17,131 members and was first reported to ENV by a member of the public in 2025 for advertising parrots (Case ref. 34332/ENV).

 Communication and Public Awareness

Between May and August, ENV conducted an intensive outreach campaign as part of our strategy to accelerate ending bear farming in Vietnam, especially in Hanoi, where 49% (68 out of 138 bears) of remaining captive bears were concentrated. The outreach campaign focused not only on Hanoi citizens but also on responsible government agencies. So far, more than 8,000 Hanoi residents have voiced concerns about bear farming, and dozens of media articles have been published in major news outlets.

Additionally, millions of Vietnamese across the country have expressed their support for ending bear farming on our social media channels.

In June, ENV staff and volunteers organized an awareness program at the RICOH Factory in Long Bien. More than 500 factory workers pledged their support to end bear bile farming in Hanoi.

ENV’s campaign to end bear farming began in 2005, when more than 4,300 illegal bears were discovered at farms across the country. After more than 20 years of hard work by ENV, our NGO partners, law enforcement agencies, and volunteers, the number of captive bears has decreased by 97%, with only 138 bears on farms. However, Hanoi remains a major hotspot that requires much of our energy and effort. 

We can’t thank you enough for your support of our important work in Vietnam. Without your support, we couldn't have made such a difference on the ground.