Over the last ten years, Vietnam has seen a dramatic increase in the trade and consumption of illegal wildlife. One of the reasons law enforcement agencies face challenges in the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime is due to lack of DNA forensics testing required to identify poached or illegally traded wildlife products and their geographic origin. To address this, over the past year, USAID Saving Species project provided the Institute of Ecology and Biology Research (IEBR) with international-standard, wildlife forensic DNA testing equipment as well as funding to hire qualified personnel, train them in forensic analysis techniques, and purchase forensic testing materials to establish and operate the laboratory. From inception, IEBR has addressed about 30 requests from different Vietnamese law enforcement agencies for DNA tests on wildlife trafficking cases, including the seizure of 55 rhino horns (weighing about 278 pounds) concealed in thick plaster at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport in July 2019. IEBR confirmed the specimens were African rhino horn, providing the People’s Procuracy of Hanoi sufficient evidence to prosecute. The case is currently being further investigated to identify other responsible parties before it is taken to trial.
So What? USAID’s assistance is increasing the effectiveness of wildlife crime investigation and prosecution in Vietnam, and supports the Indo-Pacific Vision for reducing transnational environmental crime.
IEBR