Illegal wildlife trade booming in Asia, group warns

HANOI (AFP) - An environmental group in Vietnam Friday warned that the illegal wildlife trade in Asia is "almost out of control," ahead of its opening of the first animal rescue centre in the country's south next week.

The non-profit group Wildlife At Risk (WAR) and the Ho Chi Minh City forest protection department plan to open the Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Centre north of the city next Friday, to care for recovered animals and to educate the public.

Southern Vietnam's first multi-species veterinary and holding centre will provide care for wild species rescued by officials in the communist country, which is a major transit point and consumer market for endangered animals.

Wildlife already being held at the centre includes sun bears, several primates, monitor lizards, water dragons, pythons and several turtle species.

"Buying and selling wild animals is big business, not only in Vietnam and other countries in Asia, but also throughout the rest of the world," said WAR in a statement. "The illegal wildlife trade in Asia is almost out of control."

WAR, based in the city formerly called Saigon, said wild animals are being killed or captured on a massive scale for the trade in exotic meat, animal skins and traditional medicine, as well as for the international pet trade.

"Some of these animals are dangerously close to extinction. Others are becoming increasingly rare," said the group. "If the slaughter continues at the present rate, Vietnam's forests, rivers and seas will soon be empty."