Global animal welfare charity Wild Welfare have been setting the foundations for transforming animal care and welfare within zoos across Vietnam. The Wild Welfare team recently conducted a significant workshop in the country, focused on improving animal welfare standards. The workshop, hosted in partnership with the Vietnam Zoological Association (VZA), a long-standing collaborator with Wild Welfare, took place over three days at Dam Sen Park and Saigon Zoo.
A warm welcome to the training event in Ho Chi Minh City.
In 2022, a report by Wild Welfare and Animals Asia identified a total of 87 captive wildlife facilities across the country, housing an estimated 30,000 wild animals. The report also found that many facilities often lacked the resources, training, and expertise to provide optimal species-specific care for their animals. Wild Welfare is working with VZA members across Vietnam to bridge this gap through the provision of training, resources, and ongoing support.
This latest collaborative project brought together approximately 40 delegates from a diverse range of zoological facilities from across the country. Attendees included some familiar faces from zoos that Wild Welfare shared previous successful collaborations with.
Dave presenting to VZA members.
The workshop was conducted bilingually in both Vietnamese and English, to ensure all participants could easily access and understand the detailed course materials. Sarah Bonser-Blake, Animal Welfare Field Manager at Wild Welfare, introduced the Vietnamese translation of the organisation’s popular e-learning programme, demonstrating its utility as a valuable training tool for Vietnamese zoo staff. ‘Wild About Welfare’ is a free to access resource designed to bridge the knowledge gap about animal care and welfare matters for caregivers around the globe. In 2022, Wild Welfare launched the programme in Vietnamese, further widening the course accessibility within Asia. To date, the online version of the course has been accessed over 27,000 times. The in-person guided training version of the programme allows for a blend of theoretical learning with hands-on exercises, equipping participants to amplify the quality of care and welfare for the animals under their care.
Participants of the workshop had the opportunity to sample the animal welfare concepts module which is one of eight modules in the programme. This module introduces key principles such as animal welfare models, what animal welfare means, and how it can be measured or applied in a practical setting. At the end of the module, the participants went through the interactive quiz together as a group to enhance their learning journey.
Saigon Zoo environmental enrichment in primate enclosure.
On the second day of the course, attendees explored animal behavioural management techniques, guided by Dave Morgan, co-founder and field director at Wild Welfare. This module delved into the details of species specific enrichment, outlining its key purposes, appropriate implementation, and crucial role in achieving positive animal welfare outcomes. Interactive activities and videos were used to help inspire critical thinking among the group.
During day three, the workshop transitioned into providing a practical approach, whereby delegates participated in enrichment planning activities using the Wild Welfare Enrichment Roadmap. This free to access tool was developed in partnership with Wild Enrichment, designed to guide animal care professionals through the full process of planning, assessing and implementing enrichment provision within a captive environment. The day concluded with participants creating their own tactile enrichment items for animals at Saigon Zoo. These items included sparring toys for white rhinos, honeycomb feeders for sun bears, and visual barriers that doubled as climbing structures for iguanas. These enrichment items are designed to encourage natural behaviours and stop animals from getting bored and frustrated, which can lead to poor physical and psychological health. These activities address a common issue in Vietnamese facilities where animals may lack opportunities for mental and physical stimulation.
Enrichment Planning and Design
Team enrichment building
Enrichment encourages Sun Bear foraging behaviours“The training information was very interesting and useful for all the zoos. We hope for more in the future.” said Dr. Lam Pham, President of VZA.
Improved substrates and enrichment for Reptiles at Saigon Zoo
The workshop received wonderful, widely positive feedback from attendees. Wild Welfare has already received an invitation to return to the event in 2025, with planning for this continued involvement already underway. “The changes discussed and observed within the association zoos since our last visit were particularly encouraging and highlighted a shift towards positive improvements” expressed Sarah. “The positive direction that VZA’s members are taking was evident through the improvements witnessed during our visit. For instance, we saw the introduction of soft substrates for reptiles such as snakes and lizards, providing these animals with greater comfort and improved living conditions.” Sarah went on to explain.
“We are grateful to VZA, Dam Sen Park and Saigon Zoo for their gracious hospitality throughout the workshop, and we are especially appreciative of Dr. Lam and Mr Hoang for their invaluable translation assistance during the event” said Dave Morgan.
Hammock beds built for sun bears
Wild Welfare is committed to supporting Vietnamese zoos in their continued journey towards improved animal welfare standards. These positive changes, while encouraging, represent only a fraction of the facilities in Vietnam. A great deal of work remains to be done to ensure the consistency of higher care and welfare standards are implemented across the country. Through collaboration with organisations such as the VZA, and with the dedication of each facility caregiver, real progress is possible. Wild Welfare’s approach continues to focus on accessible education and practical solutions, working alongside local partners to build a brighter future for animals in human care.
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Notes to Editors
For more information or interview requests please contact Wild Welfare on communications@wildwelfare.org
Wild Welfare is a global organisation committed to improving animal welfare for captive wild animals. By uniting the world’s leading zoos, zoo associations and animal welfare organisations, we build trusting partnerships that help provide long-term solutions to critical wild animal welfare issues.
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Our vision is to end the suffering of captive wild animals around the world and ensure full and sustainable protection is given to all animals in human care. Find out more at wildwelfare.org. Registered charity in England (no.1165941).
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