The EJF Response

EJF's objective is to train and support investigators and advocates for wildlife in key conservation hotspots around the globe. Our first programme is in Vietnam where our goals are to focus on the burgeoning trade in bear bile, which has led to the establishment of bear "farms" and the depletion of wild bear populations in Vietnam and beyond.

EJF's objectives are to:

1. Partner and train environmental advocates in Vietnam.


2. Raise awareness of the plight of Vietnam's bears amongst the public and policymakers, by undertaking field investigations into the bear trade and producing high-impact educational and campaign materials.


Education for Nature - Vietnam is the first Vietnamese NGO dedicated to educating the Vietnamese people on the threats to their environment. ENV is a dynamic and effective organisation that holds a unique potential to reach audiences across Vietnam by tackling environmental issues at the grassroots level; engaging communities in the direct protection of their own local environment. ENV's work has already resulted in a shift away from simple law enforcement to long-term, positive attitudinal change.

The partnership between ENV and EJF aims to achieve positive change for bears and other endangered species through the use of video and photos to create high impact campaign materials. The campaign tackles demand by targeting consumers of bear bile and bear products, and addresses the supply of bear products by influencing the behaviour of hunters, traders and keepers through a community-level awareness campaign.

In 2003, representatives from ENV visited EJF's London offices where they were given video, media, internet, camera and advocacy training. During their stay they took part in a range of training activities, from scriptwriting to filming and interviewing to editing, returning to Vietnam equipped with the skills to produce documentary and educational videos of broadcast-quality standard.