ADVANCING THE CAPACITY IN WILDLIFE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION FOR PHONG NHA – KE BANG NATIONAL PARK, QUANG BINH PROVINCE

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is located in Tan Trach commune, Bo Trach district Quang Binh province. The park is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with 2,953 plant species and 1,394 animal species, including rare and indicator species of the limestone forest ecosystem. A significant contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration in the park comes from the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife. Since its establishment until the end of 2023, Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center under Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park has received and rescued 1,439 individual and released 1,335 individuals of wild animals to the wild. The center is advancing its capacity to rescue multi-species in the Central Vietnam. This goal required periodic capacity-building activities for the staff to update their knowledge, skills and complete rescue, care, and release procedures at the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center.

In July, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of Indo-Myanmar Conservation, conducted a training course on turtle rescue and care for the veterinary staff at the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center. The training shared experience and expertise in rescue procedures, care, identification, and documentation, as well as providing guidance on health checks, weight monitoring, and creating a suitable living environment for turtles at the Center.

In the near future, CCD will continue to collaborate with the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center on enhancing the standards of rescue, care, and release of wildlife; training staff on related skills and animal welfare; designing enclosures and planning conservation and rehabilitation spaces; upgrading facilities and equipment; and mobilizing financial supports. Not only accompany for development at the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, CCD’s Wildlife Rescue & Release Program promote the foregoing in every related centers in Vietnam. Moreover, by becoming competitive and succesful in biodiversity conservation, any wildlife rescue, conservation, and development center will have a higher chance of prosper in ecological tourism, experiential learning, experience sharing, and scientific research.