Asia

Written by: Kimberly White  Vietnam has taken an important step forward in preventing future pandemics. Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued an extensive directive restricting the wildlife trade.  Effective immediately, the directive (29/CT-TTg) bans imports of all wildlife and...

Written by: Sean Fleming The breakneck speed of China’s economic and urban growth has gone hand in hand with some of the worst traffic congestion anywhere in the world. But in one city, a new development promises a glimpse of...

Written by: David Elliott Dive beneath the brilliant blue waters surrounding Thailand’s Koh Tao island and you might come face to face with a giant sculpture of the sea goddess Mazu. But a closer look reveals an even bigger surprise –...

Written by: Kimberly White  Local governments in South Korea have declared a climate emergency. Representing 98 percent of South Korean governments, 226 local governments have joined together in the largest climate emergency declaration to date.  Announced during the Korean National Assembly,...

Written by: Erwin M. Mascariñas Villagers in the southern Philippines taking part in an initiative to protect turtle nesting sites have recorded their most successful season in recent years, with nearly 300 hatchlings released into the sea in the first...

Written by: Kimberly White  Authorities have seized 26 tonnes of shark fins in Hong Kong, the largest shark fin seizure in the region. Customs officials discovered the shark fins inside two shipping containers from Ecuador on April 28th and May...

Courtesy of Forests News Written by: Julie Mollins The characteristics of mangroves in a range of ecosystems – from undisturbed natural settings to areas where considerable land-use changes have occurred – should be evaluated to properly assess country-level blue carbon...

Written by: Rhett Butler Conservationists are welcoming news that the Chinese Government has temporarily banned the sale of wildlife in markets, restaurants and over e-commerce as part of an effort to contain the Coronavirus outbreak, which has already claimed...

Written by: Kimberly White WildAid and CHANGE are raising awareness of strict penalties for wildlife gifts in Vietnam with a new campaign. Disguised as the deal of a lifetime, the “Buy 1, Get 15” campaign highlights Vietnam’s increased wildlife crime...

Written by: Kimberly White  China has announced a new plan to tackle plastic pollution. On January 19th, the National Development and Reform Commission unveiled the plan to begin rapidly phasing out single-use plastics.  Plastic pollution has become one of the most...