HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Members of the Southeast Asian Zoo Association (SEAZA) met at a seminar on the conservation of the Red Book's endangered species -- Asian tapir and Borneo orangutan.

The SEAZA members met at the Vinpearl Safari in Phu Quoc in the southern province of Kien Giang in early May.

Experts from Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam shared their reports on the current number, development and conservation plans for the two species, which are in the list of endangered animals in their own countries and are also listed as endangered in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

In particular, the number of Borneo orangutans has decreased by 50 per cent over the last 60 years, while their habitat has also decreased to 55 per cent in the last 20 years. At present, Viet Nam has six protected Borneo orangutans. More serious, however, is the case of the Asian tapir, which is at risk of extinction. The Asian tapir is among the five largest tapirs in the world and is the only tapir from Asia.

Kanako Tomisawa, deputy chair of SEAZA's Species Management Committee, said the committee would conduct more training for the organisation's members on the management of the two species.

Vinpearl Safari, the country's first safari in the Long Beach area in Ganh Dau Commune in Phu Quoc District, plans to receive the two species for conservation and development in the future, the safari's owner Vingroup said.

The safari, which began operations last December, is also an active member of the SEAZA and presently home to 140 species from Viet Nam and from other countries, such as South Africa, Europe, Australia and America. — VNS.