An Nguyen

I am passionate about understanding and preserving Vietnam’s unique biodiversity. Through my field biology and conservation efforts, I have become acutely aware of the lack of data on the status of many species, including the silver-backed chevrotain, as well as the limited capacity of young Vietnamese scientists to carry out comprehensive wildlife monitoring using camera traps.

Over the last 10 years, I have worked with international experts and local stakeholders to push the boundaries of wildlife monitoring in my home country. By standardizing camera-trapping surveys and analysis across various forested areas in Vietnam, we have made substantial advancements in the field. However, this is not my individual achievement; it is the result of collaboration with numerous organizations working together in the country.

These on-the-ground conservation efforts in Vietnam are grounded in rigorous scientific research and implemented by local scientists. Through training programs, I have shared valuable skills and knowledge that will continue to support ongoing conservation efforts and foster future wildlife research.

My dream to become a wildlife researcher was inspired by the wildlife documentaries broadcast once a week in Vietnam. I struggled with how to begin in high school, though after studying biology for a year in university, I discovered that my university had a zoology department focused on wildlife research. I participated in fieldwork opportunities whenever I could, and after graduating from university, began my first job as a field team leader for the Carnivore and Pangolin Program.

My next goal was to see more of Vietnam’s forests and raise awareness about the country’s wildlife in Vietnam. Finding wildlife in Vietnam is not like the images I saw on TV as a child, which often featured African mammals. Unfortunately, in the last 30 years, wildlife in Vietnam has been heavily snared, leaving many empty forests, except for primates and small mammals –  after over a decade of fieldwork, spotting mammals in the wild remains extremely rare for me. When I talk to fellow Vietnamese about my work, I often get asked two questions: “Aren’t you afraid of large carnivores, like tigers or leopards, in the forests?” and “What do wild animals taste like?” This reflects a significant issue — many Vietnamese are unaware of the status of wildlife species in our forests, and the consumption of wildlife products remains prevalent. In the upcoming years, a multidisciplinary approach, network and collaboration across different fields in conservation will be needed to raise awareness about Vietnam’s wildlife.