Illegal wildlife products are often gifted during the Tet Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam. The illegal killing of tigers to obtain their body parts—mostly bones and skin—continues to pose a major threat to their survival in the wild. To mark the February 1, 2022 start of the lunar ‘Year of the Tiger,’ USAID Saving Threatened Wildlife together with TRAFFIC, an international NGO, organized a communications campaign aimed at reducing demand for tiger products. The campaign featured a short video with messages discouraging the use of tiger bone glue from respected political, academic and health figures, including Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock. In her message, she said, “The United States is committed to working together with the global community, including Vietnam, to reduce the demand for illegal wildlife products. In the Year of the Tiger, I would like to wish the Vietnamese people good health and prosperity. Let’s act together and say no to the illegal trade and use of tiger bone glue as gifting products.”
Through increasing public awareness and behavior change campaigns, USAID is contributing to the conservation of nature and rich biodiversity in Vietnam.
