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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
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- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
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- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
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- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
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- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
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- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
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- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Research grants // Our worldwide projects // Rhino horn use in Vietnam

Rhino horn use in Vietnam

Generating insights to reduce demand for rhino horn in Vietnam

The problem

Illegal trade in wildlife products poses a significant threat to biodiversity conservation. The wildlife trade finances violence, contributes to destabilising national security, and hampers economic development in source countries. The trade in rhino horn is considered one of the most organised crimes. It is fuelled by growing demand in some Asian markets, especially China and Vietnam. This demand has contributed to pushing remaining wild rhino populations to the brink of extinction.

And the poaching crisis not only occurs in Africa. In March 2017, one of the rhinos in a private zoo near Paris was shot dead and its horn was cut off by poachers. This has raised new alarms across the globe.

Consumers grinding rhinoceros horn for use in Vietnam. Image credit: Brent Stirton

Meanwhile, the question of whether a total ban or a tightly regulated trade is the most effective means of regulation is heatedly debated. However, no study has explicitly examined consumers’ preferences and trade-offs for these two options. Moreover, despite the urgency of understanding the drivers of demand the relative importance of the attributes of consumer’s choice to purchase rhino horn remains unclear.

The solution

With PTES support, Dang Vu Hoai Nam and his team will examine these questions to generate insights to reduce demand for rhino horn in Vietnam. They will use state-of-the-art research methods to study consumers. This is through a combination of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Choice Experiments.

Traditional medicine experts developing messages to reduce rhino horn demand. Image credit: Dang Vu Hoai Nam

The study is designed in part by building on their previous work. This includes information both from confessed and intended rhino horn consumers. They interview people who do use rhino horn and those who would consider using it, and Nam is gathering crucial information that will be used to design campaigns aimed at changing consumers’ behaviour.

It will also help to inform policies needed to reduce demand for rhino horn in Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia. Understanding what drives Asian culture and consumerism in relation to wildlife products is a really valuable step in reducing demand. We’re hoping that attitudes will change so that our valuable wildlife can be saved.

You can support this project by donating today. Thank you.

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