Wildlife trafficking - the poaching and illicit trade of marine and terrestrial animals - is one of USAID’s highest priority biodiversity concerns. Global wildlife crime continues to rise at exponential rates and has reached crisis levels, with a black market estimated at up to $20 billion/year. Vietnam is one of the destinations and transit countries for illegal African rhino horn, elephant ivory, and pangolin scales. Demand for wildlife in Vietnam is driven by strong cultural norms that encourage consumption of wildlife for prestige and by erroneous traditional beliefs regarding purported health benefits.

USAID Saving Species is implemented in partnership with the Vietnam CITES Management Authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network in Vietnam (TRAFFIC Vietnam) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) are also project partners. USAID Saving Species works with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to:

• Reduce consumer demand for and consumption of illegal wildlife and wildlife products by targeting the behaviors, beliefs, norms, and cultural expectations of key populations that drive Vietnamese consumption of target wildlife and products.
• Strengthen wildlife law enforcement and prosecution by building the capacity of the justice sector, law enforcement and customs agents through training judiciary, police, and customs officers on countering wildlife trafficking.
• Improve and harmonize the legal framework for wildlife crime by addressing core rule of law and governance weaknesses, supporting trade compliance, and increasing clarity regarding overlapping jurisdictions, contradictory or unclear mandates, and legal loopholes.

Primary biodiversity targets of USAID Saving Species include: African rhinos, African and Asian elephants, and pangolins. However, project activities benefit a variety of species through general improvements in governance, law enforcement, and awareness. USAID Saving Species focuses geographically on major urban centers where target species are consumed, as well as areas where target species are trafficked, including airports, seaports, and specific land borders.

To assist the GVN in achieving the three above objectives, USAID Saving Species will support organizations that wish to contribute to the three components through contracts, grants and cost-sharing arrangements.