The Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV), one of the country’s pioneering social organisations in wildlife conservation, has released a two-minute video clip titled "Chim troi keu cuu" (wild birds cry out for help) to urge the community to refrain from wild bird consumption and join protection efforts.

The clip exposes haunting and cruel moments of the widespread destruction of the feathered animals, giving only a glimpse of the acts prevalent in many localities nationwide.

Vietnam is among the 25 countries with the richest diversity of wild bird species globally. However, poaching and illegal trading pose serious threats to hundreds of indigenous and migratory bird species in the country. In localities such as Quang Ninh and Thai Binh in the north and Thua Thien - Hue in the central region, poachers employ sophisticated methods including decoys and birdsong mimicking devices to lure the animals, followed by nets, traps, or guns for capture. This rampant hunting seriously jeopardises Vietnam's biodiversity.

A survey conducted by the ENV at 125 restaurants in Hanoi between 2020 and June 2024 reveals that 42% of them included dishes made from wild birds on their menus. Similarly, wild bird dishes appeared on the menus of 24% out of the 24 restaurants surveyed in Ho Chi Minh City in the same period.

In 2023 alone, the organisation documented more than 1,000 online violations involving 163,185 birds illegally advertised and traded. The actual number of such violations was likely much higher.

ENV Vice Director Bui Thi Ha emphasised that alongside current efforts, provinces and cities need to develop more effective strategies to address bird-related violations, particularly illegal trading by restaurants, in traditional markets, and online platforms.

The ENV has urged the public to report relevant violations to its toll-free hotline 1800­1522./.VNA