VIETNAMESE RANGER SHOT BY WILDLIFE POACHER NEED YOUR HELP!

Why do we need your help?  

According WildAct Vietnam’s survey in 2022, almost 4 snares were found in every kilometre square of Chu Yang Sin National Park. Within a short duration of 3 weeks survey, WildAct’s staff and rangers encounted poacher 8 times, and 5/8 poachers did not hesistated to shoot at us!  

In 2018 Mr. Ngo Duc Lien, a forest ranger at Chu Yan Sin National Park He was shot with a total of 17 lead bullets: 5 in the back and 12 in other parts of his body, causing a body damange of 25%. Due to these severe injuries, Mr.Lien was taken to the provincial hospital for an emergency then was transferred to the largest national hospital in Vietnam, Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for special treatment to remove 12 bullets from his body. After 5 years, 5 bullets still remain in his body, because his family are unable to cover the costs of the necessary surgery . Mr.Lien has to pay the full cost of surgery and treatment by himself without any support from the government. Their reasons were:  

• The poacher was not arrested and thus, the case was not closed.  
• Not enough evidence to prove that the poacher was poaching wild animals in the park.  
• Not enough evidence to prove that the case was urgent.  
• Without financial support, Mr. Lien’s family was not able to afford the costs of the necessary surgery to remove the remaining 5 bullets in his body. He is suffering from pain everyday!  

WildAct Vietnam launched a fundraising campaign to support Mr Ngo Duc Lien, starting from May 21, 2023.  

About Chu Yan Sin National Park  

Chu Yang Sin National Park (CYSNP) located in Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands. The park is one of the largest forest blocks in the Annamite ecoregion where was known as a global biodiversity hotspot with one of the highest levels of species endemism found anywhere on a continental setting.  

This park is also considered as the centre of the ecosystem of the area that occupies most of the Langbiang Plateau, adjacent to Bidoup Nui Ba National Park and two other nature reserves. This place is evaluated by scientists as one of the four main biodiversity centres of Vietnam.  

What difficulties rangers in Chu Yang Sin National Park are facing?  

Life threatening situation: Rangers are in charge of patrolling, dismantling wildlife traps, and catching poachers. They ensure the safety and reduce harmful impacts to the environment and nearby communities. But they are facing dangers from the fierce poachers. Our survey with the local community showed that conflict between hunters and rangers is very high. It was reported that hunters made booby traps in the forest, following rangers’ track to injure them.  

The ranger’s living and working conditions in CYS are very low , and this negatively affects conservation outcomes. Rangers with 10 years of working experience were paid an equivalent of 300 USD/month; with no compensation or financial support when they patrol in the forest. They have to use their own pocket money to buy food and equipment for patrolling. Those that were injured by local hunters were given a very low compensation, and no recognition for their work.  

In addition, forest rangers were only given the basic national health insurance, but not life insurance. That means if the ranger die while in duty, their family will not receive any financial support from the insurance company.  

Poachers, guns, snare traps, and dead wild animals were confiscated by CYSNP’s ranger in another patrol in 2020

The efforts of WildAct Vietnam   

WildAct Vietnam is a non-profit conservation organisation in Vietnam. The organisation has spent 11 years fighting against poaching and illegal wildlife trade. In 2022, we conducted professional training courses for 33 forest rangers and 222 local people from the community to protect the forest.  

 
How are your funds going to help  

All your donations will be used to support Mr. Ngo Duc Lien. We aim to raise 5000 USD to:  

• $2,500 - Support Mr Lien to to remove 5 remaining bullets in his body.  
• $1,000 - Purchase life insurance.  

• $800 - Compensation supports for the past 5 years.  
• $400 Support 25% of his monthly salary over the 5 months that he was hospitalised.  
• $300 - Support to buy bulletproof vest for Mr Lien to prevent similar incidents in future when encountering poachers.  

WildAct Vietnam promotes transparency practice. Our financial report can be found here. In addition, an e-newsletter will be sent to your email every 3 months. With every contribution received, we will also provide an e-certificate to acknowledge your support.  

PLEASE  SUPPORT US! YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TO THE RANGER’S EFFORTS TO PROTECT THREATENED WILDLIFE AND HABITAT.