Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV) and Save the Rhino International (SRI) to Raise Public Awareness and Reduce Consumer Demand for Rhino Horn in Vietnam

May 20, 2016

Hollywood film star Paul Blackthorne launches “Save the Rhino Vietnam!” campaign

Hanoi, May 20, 2016 – Hollywood actor and film producer Paul Blackthorne hosted a seminar on rhino conservation for over 500 students at Thang Long University. This event marked the launch of the “Save the Rhino Vietnam” campaign—a two-week initiative coordinated by Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV) and Save the Rhino International (SRI) to raise public awareness and reduce consumer demand for rhino horn in Vietnam.

Blackthorne, famous for his roles in the hit TV shows Arrow, 24, ER and Lagaan will visit Hanoi from May 19 to June 2 as part of the campaign. After today's kick-off event, the campaign will move forward with other meaningful activities including meetings with Vietnamese corporate leaders, talks at schools, and visits to wildlife rescue centers. ENV’s rhino ambassadors, comedian Xuan Bac and singer Hong Nhung will also join Blackthorne in this important campaign.

“I chose Vietnam to be the heart of the campaign because Vietnam is a hotspot for rhino horn consumption,” said Paul Blackthorne. “Rhinos are heading toward extinction because of greed and ignorance, this makes me sad, angry and determined to do something about it.”

Vietnam is a key consumer country of rhino horn. Over the past decade, the perceived value of rhino horn as a status symbol and miracle cure for a wide range of ailments has led to its increased demand. The last Javan rhino in Vietnam was killed for its horn in 2010. Rhino poaching internationally is now at crisis, with three rhinos killed every day in South Africa alone. In South Africa, tragic numbers of rhinos have been killed over the past two years: 1,215 in 2014 and 1,175 in 2015. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), if poaching continues to increase at current rates, rhinos could be extinct by 2026, just 10 years’ time.

“We are glad to see Paul and other celebrities sharing our passion for rhino conservation. If we stand together, we could bring rhinos a better future,” said Susie Offord-Woolley, Deputy Director of SRI. “It is too late for Vietnam’s last rhino, but not too late for other rhinos in the world, if we all act now.”

Blackthorne launched the Save the Rhino Vietnam campaign with Arsenal F.C football players Aaron Ramsey in April by promoting the sale of rhino t-shirts produced by well-known artist Rob Prior. Many other celebrities have joined them to support the campaign and promote rhino protection including football players Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Mathieu Flamini, Calum Chambers and Hollywood actors Stephen Amell, Matt Smith, John Barrowman, Alex Kingston, Aamir Khan, Emily Bett Rickards and David Ramsey.

“Bringing an end to the tragic killing of rhinos requires a two-pronged approach here in Vietnam,” said Vu Thi Quyen, ENV’s Executive Director. “This two-pronged approach entails aggressive measures aimed at dismantling criminal networks that smuggle rhino horn into Vietnam from Africa, in conjunction with sustained campaigns by both government and private sector leaders targeting Vietnamese consumers, aimed at dispelling myths and rumors about the supposed magical properties of rhino horn,” Quyen continues. 1

“We are enthralled to have celebrities like Paul join our efforts to secure a future for the world’s rhinos by addressing demand in Vietnam,” said Quyen.

ENV would like to thank the Sofitel Plaza Hanoi for generously supporting this event and for their partnership with ENV to protect Vietnam’s wildlife.

Further details on ENV’s rhino protection campaign: http://envietnam.org/index.php/what-we-do/env-species-focused-campaigns/bring-an-end-to-the-killing- of-rhinos

Paul Blackthorne profile - Born: 1969 - Nationality: English - Occupation: actor, film producer, photographer, social activist for wildlife conservation - Films and television that Paul has appeared in: Lagaan (2001), ER (2004), 24 (2004), The Dresden Files (2007), CSI: Miami (2010), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2012), Arrow (2012-present), among others. Paul is best known in Vietnam for his role as Detective Quentin Lance in the international hit series, “Arrow”, and as terrorist Stephen Saunders in 24, which has aired on Vietnam Television 1 (VTV1). - Campaigns that Paul has previously been involved in: “Poach eggs not elephants” (4/2015), “Keep rhinos horny” (11/2015)

For more information, please contact:

Ly Mai An Media Officer Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV) Address: Block 17T5, 17th floor, Room 1701, Hoang Dao Thuy Street, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: +844 6281 5424 Email: [email protected] Website: www.envietnam.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EducationforNatureVietnam

About Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV)

Education for Nature - Vietnam (ENV) was established in 2000 as Vietnam’s first non-governmental organization focused on the conservation of nature and protection of the environment. Our mission is to foster greater understanding amongst the Vietnamese public about the need to protect nature and wildlife. We employ creative and innovative strategies to influence public attitudes and mobilize Vietnamese citizens to live in balance with the natural world. We work closely with government partners to strengthen policy and legislation and directly support enforcement efforts in the protection of endangered species of national, regional and global significance.

ENV’s strategic approach to tackling the illegal wildlife trade

ENV focuses its activities on three major program areas that comprise ENV’s integrated strategic approach for addressing illegal wildlife trade. These include:  Reducing consumer demand for wildlife products through investment in a long-term and sustained effort to influence public attitudes and behavior  Strengthening enforcement through direct support and assistance to law enforcement agencies, and mobilizing active public participation in helping combat wildlife crime  Working with policy-makers to strengthen legislation, close loopholes in the law, and promote sound policy and decision-making relevant to wildlife protection.