MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT VIETNAM FORESTRY UNIVERSITY STUDENT THESIS Title ASSESSMENT OF STATUS OF EXPLOITATION AND TRADE OF TAM DAO SALAMANDER Paramesotriton del
Wildlife trade is becoming a big business, in Vietnam and other Asian countries Illegal trafficking in wildlife in Asia is almost beyond control Wild animals are hunted, killed and captivity on a large scale, in order to satisfy the huge demand for bush meat, fur, traditional medicines derived from wildlife, livestock and pet needs (Nguyen Van Sang et al., 2003)
Some animals are at risk of near extinction, others are becoming increasingly rare Therefore, it is raising the need for research to sustainable conservation management
Tam Dao salamander (Paramesotriton deloustali), also known as Tam Dao newt, is an endemic amphibian to the mountains of Vietnam According to IUCN Red List of Threatened species, Tam Dao salamander is listed as VU It is also listed in group IIB of Decree No 32/2006/ND-CP of Vietnam government of species that is restricted to exploitation and trade under commercial purposes Since 1992, Tam Dao newt has listed in Vietnam Red data book
(Ministry of Science and Technology 1992) that only can be found in Vietnam, and it is in level B (near extinction)
Tay Thien is a famous historical, scenic tourist attraction of Tam Dao NP, because it meets all three factors: culture, religion, and beautiful natural landscape Therefore, it not only attracts tourists in high season, but all year around In recent years, the tourism boom has brought many benefits to the local economy, but partly destroyed the natural beauty, caused environmental pollution and lost biodiversity of Tam Dao NP, and the surrounding area According to the herpetological survey report (Nguyen Quang Truong et al., 2004) the population of Tam Dao salamander are mostly detected in Dai Dinh commune in Tay Thien area Therefore, tourism activities might lead to various impacts on Paramesotriton deloustali
(P deloustali) population in either its habitat or population size and richness
The Global Amphibian Assessment (IUCN, 2015) reported that P deloustali was used at subsistence level for food (human), at subsistence level and nationally for medicine (human and veterinary) and nationally and internationally for pets/display animals They estimated that 0-25% of specimens in commercial trade were wild-sourced The trend in the level of wild offtake/harvest in relation to total wild population numbers over the last five years was reported to be increasing (IUCN, 2015) Nguyen Van Sang et al., (2003) reported that in northern Viet Nam, P deloustali was sold at local markets and in villages for pets; that the dry- form was used as a traditional medicine to cure diseases such as asthma and rickets; and that
10 the species was rarely eaten by local people, apparently because of its bad smell and strange body form The local pet trade was thought to be the main reason for the decreasing population at Tam Dao National Park (Nguyen Van Sang et al., 2003)
Therefore “Assessment of status of exploitation and trade of Tam Dao salamander
( Paramesotriton deloustali Bourret, 1934 ) in Tay Thien; Tam Dao National Park‟‟ is vital important The aims of this research are to: 1) investigate the status of P.deloustali population and its main threats, 2) investigate how this species are being exploitation and trade, and 3) determine factors that drive the participation of locals in trade and harvest this animal in recent years Thus, this study will play a role as a basic for proposing better management measures, and effective biodiversity conservation of P deloustali in Tam Dao NP, as well as its buffer zone
Listerature review
P.deloustali was sold at local market and villages for pets, and dry-form was used for medicinal purposes to cure diseases such as asthma and rickets, and local people hardly ate them because of its bad smell, strange appearance But it just caused a minor effect on the population of this species (Nguyen Van Sang, et al., 2003) In other word, this kind of use and trade of Tam Dao salamander was in insignificant level that was not harmful for species‟ status and population size in general Author stressed that, the main reason for the decreasing population of P.deloustali was from local pet trade (as cited in UNEP-WCMC, 2006)
The Global Amphibian Assessment reported that P.deloustali was used at subsistence level for food, at subsistence level and nationally for medicine, and nationally and internationally for pets/display animals They estimated that 0-25% of specimens that was founded in commercial trade were wild-sourced (as cited in UNEP-WCMC, 2006) The trend in the level of wild offtake/harvest in relation to total wild population numbers over the last five years was reported to be increasing (IUCN, 2006) Whereas, According to the Report of non-cities amphibian (UNEP-WCMC, 2006) reported that no national trade statistics were identified for this species Thus, the data about the trade status of this species was unclear, it requires more study need carrying out
The presence of specimen of this species in markets for sale in both dry and alive forms was reported in many studies with variability of time range Although occurrence of this species in trade was thought to be rare (Nguyen Xuan Dang et al, 2003; Miller, 2004, Tran Van Cu, 2007; Trinh Khac Cuong, 2007; Nguyen Thuy Ngan, 2010; Vu Van Quyet, 2011)
In comparison with report of Nguyen Van Sang, there is the existence of number of people who used this species as one sources of food The level of trade for medicinal purpose was not only at locally but also nationally, even at higher level and bigger scale So it can be
12 assumed that the status of use and trade of P.deloustali was increasing in both scale and level in the years between 2003 and 2006 and still existed in the following years
Conservation status: P deloustali is listed as Vulnerable, distribute in less than 2,000 km2, with all individuals in fewer than ten locations and a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, and in the number of mature individuals (IUCN, 2015)
Distribution: P deloustali was originally known only from the Tam Dao mountain ridge in northern Viet Nam However, it has since been recorded in more than ten localities in Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Tay Nguyen, and Lao Cai Provinces, all in Viet Nam They reported that its population was apparently relatively stable and that is was not particularly rare locally (IUCN 2015) Whilst, population of this species reported to decline significantly (Tran Van Cu, 2007) Especially, it was reported that “In 1997, P deloustali were considered extinct in the wild (Miller, 2004)
Major threats to P deloustali was habitat loss, due to agriculture and human settlement, pollution, and harvesting for food, medicine and the pet trade, are threats to this species (Tordoff, 2002, Nguyen Van Sang, 2003; Tran Van Cu, 2007, IUCN, 2015) As a results of political and economic changes, with logging, construction, industrialization, and development for tourism (Miller, 2004) Besides that, natural reproductive coefficient of
“Presently, there is no particular program for salamander conservation in Vietnam.” (Nguyen Van Sang et al., 2003) It was recommended that managed ex-situ assurance colonies among zoos and competent hobbyists should be set up to aid conservation of this species (IUCN
In summary , there were a few studies referred to P.deloustali, but it just focused on detecting the distribution area, and behavior of the species Data about exploitation, trade, and use of this species are too general Or only report about the presence of specimens being sold without understanding deeply the causes and motivations of the harvest and trade Also, no documents described in detail of seasonality, techniques of hunting, markets and the prices Tam Dao NP is the first place recorded the presence of Tam Dao salamander Tay Thien is believed to have big population of this species In contrast, no research has been carried out in there despite the status of exploitation and trade of this species has existed long time ago Because the existence and fast growing of tourist activities in Tay Thien with more than 10
13 million visitors visited there each year (Tam Dao NP, 2008) will create enormous pressure on the management and conservation of the species Therefore, this study was conducted aiming to collect information on illegal exploitation and trade, the causes and motives of hunters in a comprehensive and more specific way It will provide an overview for the authorities, managers, organizations, and conservationists about the current status of trade and use of
P.deloustali in order to take better management measures.
Theoretical Framework
2.2.1 Key definitions and terminology used in this report
Drivers are understood as the forces, conditions or factors that lead people to behave in a particular way In this report, economic and social drivers are considered in the context of the economic and social conditions that lead people to harvest, trade or consume wildlife in an illegal and/or unsustainable manner (TRAFFIC, 2008)
A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (including both material and social resources) and activities required for a means of living A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while not undermining the natural resource base (DFID, 2008)
Market-based instruments are designed to affect the demand and supply conditions facing individuals and enterprises Instruments that alter market conditions directly include imposition or removal of taxes or subsidies that change cost or demand conditions, or product designations (such as labelling or certification) that change demand conditions Market- mimicking instruments include tradable permit systems, or other methods that establish tradable property rights or remove barriers for trading (Farber and Tietenberg, 2006)
Wildlife trade is any sale or exchange by people of wild animal and plant resources This can involve live animals and plants for the pet and horticultural trades, or the trade in a diverse range of wild animal and plant products needed or prized by humans – including skins, medicinal ingredients, tourist curios, timber, fish and other food products (TRAFFIC,
Conservation Conservation awareness encompasses landowner/local people knowledge
14 awareness of, familiarity with, and experience with forest conservation options and sources of information that support informed forest management decisions (Van Fleet et al 2012.)
Resource management is the efficient and effective development of an organization's resources when they are needed It is also processes, techniques and philosophies as to the best approach for allocating resources have been developed (en.wikipedia.org, 2015)
Law enforcement broadly refers to any system by which some members of society act in an organized manner to enforce the law by discovering, deterring, rehabilitating, or punishing people who violate the rules and norms governing that society (en.wikipedia.org, 2015)
2.2.2 What are the socio-economic drivers the exploitation and trade of wildlife?
Economic and social factors drive both demand and supply sides of the wildlife trade equation, to improve either biodiversity conservation or development returns as these relate to the use and trade of wild resources needs to be considered of theses drivers and to design actions in a way that take them into account (TRAFFIC, 2008)
According to the report on „‟what‟s driving wildlife trade?‟‟ (TRAFFIC, 2008) there are a variety of social-economic factors that drives the illegal trade on wildlife, but there are 5 main drivers as listed below:
Livelihoods as drivers: reducing poverty, increasing income and/or diversifying livelihoods among rural communities would reduce participation in harvesting wildlife to supply the illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade Data from northern Lao PDR, for example show that poorer households are much more dependent upon income generated from forest plants and animal than less poor households (Emerton,
2005) There is some evidence that poorer people are more likely to be seasonal harvesters, using the wildlife trade as a safety net at critical time during the year (TRAFFIC, 2008) However, the link between wealth, poverty and engagement in the wildlife trade are complex: people involved in the trade are not necessarily poor, and the poor who are involved usually do not drive the trade Indeed, the trade in wildlife in the region involves some extremely wealthy individuals and groups (Compton et al., 1999; Nooren and Claridge, 2001 as cited in TRAFFIC, 2008)
Markets and prices as drivers: the supply of wildlife products to and through the market is responsive to changes in producer price and profitability, and that consumer demand for wildlife products is responsive to changes in retail price Rises in price act as deterrent to wildlife consumption, or that decreases in profitability have caused people to stop harvesting wildlife Also, the market for many wildlife products is driven by a high and rising demand coupled with declining availability of a growing number of wild resources, has contributed to a steep increase in the price of many high-value products Harvesters and suppliers are highly responsive to the market opportunities presented by the wildlife trade, displaying mobility between products, locations and markets in order to meet demand At the same time, it was noted that a variety of factors associated with economic growth, trade expansion and the development of infrastructure had facilitated an increased supply of wildlife to markets in the region Improved communications and connectivity, road development, and the opening up of wild animal and plant habitat via illegal logging and other new activities, thereby facilitating extraction and trade of wildlife products, were believed to be the primary factors influencing the market availability of wildlife
Laws and regulations as drivers: enforcement and broader governance were the critical factors determining the effectiveness of legislation and regulations, rather than the presence of laws and regulations per se (TRAFFIC, 2008) Restrictions, especially for harvester/ traders by incentives are highly effective way of controlling wildlife trade (Dickson, 2003; Hutton and Webb, 2003 as cited in TRAFFIC, 2008) Enforcement capacity and incentives to enforce are emphasized in the literature as critical elements in the success of regulations and laws (Eves and Ruggiero, 2000) Levels of enforcement are determined to some extent by ability and willingness to act on the part of those agencies mandated to control wildlife harvesting and trade, including the resources and higher-level support provided to them (TRAFFIC, 2008)
Awareness: it states that increasing awareness among harvesters, traders, and consumers have had negligible impacts on reduced illegal and unsuitable wildlife trade It also suggested that the effort putting on raising awareness were considered to be mainly successful in their primary goal, but it was thought to have minor impacts on the amount of wildlife harvested, traded and consumed illegally or unsustainably
A relatively small proportion of experts believed that improved awareness, where achieved, was led to some reduction in participation in the wildlife exploitation and
16 trade To date, there is very little documented evidence-positive or negative- about the long term impacts of awareness on rates of wildlife harvesting, trading and consumption (World Bank, 2008)
Resource management practices: external support to improved resource management reduces over-exploitation of wildlife for trade In the majority of cases where they had been applied, resource management interventions (such as species management plans, closed seasons, technology limits and limits on harvesting size and age) had been at least somewhat successful in controlling illegal an unsustainable wildlife exploitation Multiple factors influence the sustainability of any harvesting regime, including whether entire species or component parts are harvested, the biological and physical characteristics of the species harvested, habitat intactness and resource management systems in place (Milner-Gulland and Mace, 1998)
(Note that, in fact the report of TRAFFIC, 2008 stated 6 main elements that driver the wildlife exploitation and trade However, in this study customary norms, practices and tenure as drivers are excluded Because the targeted species of this study was P.deloustali, an endemic species of Vietnam, listed in Red data book, and the study area was on protected area of Tam Dao national park plus with no evidence for any customary norms about this species)
Goals
This study aims to determine and assess the status of exploitation and use of P deloustali; map hot spot of trading, and determine which factors drive the participation of people in exploitation and trade of P deloustali in Tay Thien (Dai Dinh commune), Tam Dao National Park It targets to provide information as basis to propose better management solutions in order to effective conservation of the endangered species, and biodiversity of Tam Dao NP
Specific objectives
The main objectives of this study are:
(i) To assess the population status of P deloustali in Tay Thien
(ii) To collect data about how P deloustali are exploitation, and trade in Tay
Thien (iii) To map hot spots of hunting and trading of P deloustali in the study area
(iv) To determine which factors drive the decision of participation in exploiting and trading activities of P.deloustali (v) Determine main threats of P deloustali in Tay Thien, Tam Dao NP by interview and field observation (vi) To provide a basis for effective management measure and better conservation of P deloustali
Research questions
This study addressed four main questions that are:
1 What is the population status and are main threats to population of P deloustali and its habitat?
2 How P.deloustali is exploited, used and traded in Tay Thien area?
3 What factors drive the participation in exploitation and trade of P.deloustali in Tay Thien area?
Research hypothesis
Based on the question 2 and assumptions up on which exploitation and trade of P.deloustali interventions are based, research hypotheses is proposed in this study:
Research hypothesis: Driver assumptions upon exploitation and trade of wildlife intervention including: resource management, markets and prices, laws and regulations, awareness, and livelihoods drive the participation of P.deloustali exploitation and trade in
This category of intervention primarily targets the harvesters and traders of P.deloustali It assumes that participation in exploitation and trade of this species is determined by the amount of income earns Therefore, if it is true, the solution need to put in action is to diversify or find alternative manners that can bring higher income for locals than exploiting and selling Tam Dao salamander
This category of intervention targets the harvesters, and traders of P.deloustali It assumes that the markets and prices of selling this species are responsive to the participation in exploitation and trade of local people Thus, if this hypothesis is true, the authorities and law makers should implement a kinds of policies that reduce the existence or limit the approach of harvesters to the markets
This category of intervention targets the harvesters, and traders of P.deloustali It assumes that enforcing the laws and strengthening restrictions/ penalties of community access rights over P.deloustali is determined the participation in the exploitation and trade of this animal, and these therefore need to be changed if the exploitation and trade of this amphibian is to be reduced
This category of intervention targets the harvesters, and traders of P.deloustali It assumes that increasing awareness of harvesters and traders is determined the participation in the exploitation and trade of Tam Dao newt, and these therefore need to be changed it the exploitation and trade of this species is to be reduced
This category of intervention targets the harvesters, and traders of P.deloustali It assumes that strengthening resources management practices is determined illegal trade and exploitation of Tam Dao salamander and these therefore need to be changed it the exploitation and trade of this species is to be reduced.
METHODS
Selection of study site
Dai Dinh commune and Tay Thien area were selected as study area for the following reasons First, the development of tourism activities in recent years in Tay Thien area has negative effects on the biodiversity conservation of fauna and flora in there (Hoan, 2011) Second, this area was recorded as highest possibility of detecting Tam Dao salamander in Tam Dao national park (Nguyen Quang Truong et al., 2004) Third, according to Dai
Dinh ranger station, Dai Dinh commune has two main ethnic were Kinh and San Diu (an ethnic minority), particular San Diu accounted for 50.5% (Dai Dinh ranger station, 2014) whom their livelihoods primarily depended on collecting forest resources Thereby population of salamander there would suffer with many threats from tourism activities, and local people Derive from context I choose Tay Thien which located in Dai Dinh commune in the Southwest of Tam Dao NP as the study area
Figure 4.1: Map of study site Dai Dinh commune, Tam Dao district, Vinh Phuc province
Overview of study site
According to the annual report of Dai Dinh ranger station, there are some general information about Tay Thien area (Dai Dinh ranger station, 2015)
Tay Thien area has about 3.400 ha of natural land, where area of special use forest is about
2000ha, and the rest is plantation forest, forest land, agricultural land, and other lands
Dai Dinh commune has 15 villages, particular 5 inter-forest villages including: Son Dinh, Dong Linh, Long Sau, Dong Thong, and Dong Hoi Total number of household is 2807 which accounts for 9.700 people There are two main ethics which are Kinh and San Diu, particular San Diu occupie for 50.5%
Dai Dinh commune located in the western side of the Tam Dao mountain range with an annual rainfall of 1.600mm it locates in the west slope leads to the higher intensity of sunling, and lower precipitation The possibility of forest fire is quite high, because the flammable material is easy to dry
Main stream channel in Tay Thien area are called Tay Thien stream It is created by many small brooks flow down to the main branches called Phu Nghi and Khe Che which meets at the foot of Bac waterfall make up beautiful scenary Tay Thien stream located in western slope of Tam Dao originated over 800 meters high with a length about 12km with slope ranged from 10-42%
Tay Thien area has five main types of forest listed below:
Evergreen closed tropical rain forest
Evergreen closed sub-tropical rainy forest on low mountain
Natural rehabilitated young forest after deforestation or burned or due to shifting cultivation
Tam Dao NP is very rich in fauna species which was described 1141 animal species belong to
150 families of 39 orders in 5 classes The detail information is listed in the following table:
Table 4.1 Species composition of Tam Dao NP
No Class Number of species
Methods
Some key documents that was collected and used in this study:
Special report: “Assessment of livelihoods, socio-economy of people living in Tam Dao NP and its buffer zone‟‟ (Tam Dao NP, 2009)
Report:” Results of performance development tasks of socio-economic first 6 months, propose course of action and goals for the last 6 months.‟‟ (Dai Dinh commune, 2015)
Report: „‟Introduction about Dai Dinh Ranger Station‟‟ (Dai Dinh Ranger Station,
Report: ‟Survey results of Tam Dao salamander in some locations of Tam Dao NP‟‟ (Tran Van Cu, 2007)
„‟Review of non-cites Amphibia species that are known or likely to be international trade‟‟ (UNEP-WCMC, 2006)
“What‟s driving the Wildlife Trade? A Review of Expert Opinion on Economic and Social Drivers of the Wildlife Trade and Trade Control Efforts in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Vietnam” (TRAFFIC, 2008)
„‟Evaluation of the wildlife trade in Ba Be and Cho Don Districts‟‟ (Nguyen Xuan Dang et al 2003)
The main purposes of this method were:
- To observe shop owners in Tay Thien to identify where P deloustali was traded at which price, quantity, form (fresh or dry), and for whom?
- To collect data on the threats to the species and its habitat along the line transects
3 lines transects were walked in the study area
Transect 1st: From Thong to Cau temple
Transect 2nd: From Cau temple to Co
Transect 3rd: From Co to Thuong temple
Table 4.2 Summary table of transects line at Tay Thien area, Tam Dao National Park
- Natural rehabilitated young forest after deforestation or burned or due to shifting cultivation
- Natural rehabilitated young forest after deforestation or burned or due to shifting cultivation
- Evergreen closed tropical rain forest
1500 - Evergreen closed tropical rain forest
This method was used for asking information about population status that P deloustali are suffering, as well as status of exploitation and uses of the species In addition, it assesses the important of awareness to conservation of P deloustali in the study area The survey questionnaires was targeted to 3 main groups, and totally 76 samples was collected which were:
Staff of Tam Dao National Park (6 respondents)
Shop owners along the trail in Tay Thien (35 respondents)
In 76 peope being interviewed (including staffs of Tam Dao NP), 28 out of them is femanl account for 37%, and male has 48 people about 63% of total respondents
Table 4.3.Distribution of interview object
Define household type based on average monthly income per capital
Table 4.6 Basis to define poor and near-poor household in rural areas in Vietnam in period 2011-2015
Income per capital per month Areas
Poor