The pangolin man of Vietnam
Over a million pangolins are believed to have been trafficked over the last ten years - and the scaly mammal now faces extinction due to high demand in South East Asia for its meat and scales.
But in Vietnam, one organisation is fighting back against this relentless and illegal trade. 'Save Vietnam's Wildlife' was set up to allow the public to meet and learn about pangolins. Its founder, Thai Van Nguyen, says that so few people know about them that people often think he works with penguins and not pangolins.
The group also conducts undercover work, rescuing hundreds of animals and helping with the arrest of smugglers.
Thai Van Nguyen has now been awarded the prestigious Goldman environmental prize of 2021 in recognition of his work.
"The pangolin is a so lovely animal and we need to live together with them. It's a beautiful creature."
(Photo: The head keeper for Save Vietnam's Wildlife holding a rescued pangolin. Credit: AFP)
Duration:
This clip is from
More clips from Newsday
-
Liam Payne: Fans mourn death of One Direction singer
Duration: 03:35
-
Sudan's footballers provide 'joy amongst the chaos'
Duration: 04:00
-
Hurricane Milton: The residents deciding to stay, or evacuate
Duration: 02:59