Vietnamese Pop Stars join the fight againt rhino poaching

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Vietnamese pop stars Thanh Bui and Thu Minh says they aim to work towards reducing the demand and supply for rhino horn in Vietnam.

The pop stars were invited to Nelson Mandela Bay over the weekend by the Wilderness Foundation as part of their Forever Wild Protection Initiative.

At a media briefing held on Monday, Bui says a high percentage of rhino horn from around come through Vietnam.

Bui says, as ambassadors, they want to spread the message to Vietnamese people and demistify the myths associated with use of rhino horn.

"Vietnam can make a difference, the whole world is looking at us and if we don't do something about it I think it would be an absolute shame. We are going to try and reduce the demand, If you can reduce the demand you reduce the supply. In Vietnam there are myths that Rhino horn is good, that it can cure cancer and it's good for male impotence. I think the first thing people should know is that it's not a magic potion." says Bui

“In Vietnam we have to understand how important it is to protect the environment, wildlife, and our heritage,” says Thu Minh.

“The whole world is looking in horror at what we are doing to the rhinos. It has to stop for the sake of the rhinos and for the honor of Vietnam. In the past few days, I have experienced the horror of what we are doing to the rhino, as well as the majestic beauty of this species.”

WildAid Executive Director, Peter Knights, says the demand side must be addressed if these animals are to be saved.

“Although 90% plus of ‘rhino horn’ sold in Vietnam is actually buffalo horn or other fakes, even a small amount of use of the real thing can threaten rhinos with extinction, while not helping people’s health.” says Knights.

“People need to understand the horror of the problem they create with this superstition.”

According to The Department of Environmental Affairs poachers have already killed 277 of the country’s rhinos so far in 2014, compared to 1004 in the entirety of 2013 and 13 in 2007.


Thanh Bui and Thu Minh