VietNamNet Bridge – Nearly 2,000 young people will take part in a festival held in  HCM City this afternoon to appeal for the protection of wildlife.

Young people take part in a wildlife protection programme organised by HCM City’s Centre of Hands-on Actions and Networking for Growth and Environment and WildAid, a US environmental organisation. — Photo Courtesy of CHANGE

Into The Wild will be organised by the HCM City-based Centre of Hands-on Actions and Networking for Growth and Environment (CHANGE) and WildAid, a US environmental organisation focused on reducing demand for wildlife products.

Participants will have a chance to learn about the diversity and threats faced by wildlife including rhinos, pangolins, elephants, and tigers.

They will be made up and taught native African dances and play games related to wildlife protection.

There will be performances by singers like Thanh Bui, Hoang Bach, Duc Tuan and dancers like Do Hai Anh and Ha Loc.

The event will end with a pledge by visitors to protect wildlife by pressing a button on a “Scared Wall” erected at the venue.

The festival will be held at the Labour Cultural House in District 1.

Viet Nam and China are the main markets for rhino horns from South Africa and other African countries.

In 2014 alone 1,215 rhinos were killed in South Africa to meet the demand in Asia.

The population of the animals, which are found only in Africa and Asia, has declined by 95 per cent in the last 40 years.

Only 25,000 are left, around 70 per cent of them in South Africa.

VNS