Ninh Binh promotes wildlife-based tourism

A bear sanctuary in the Red river Delta province of Ninh Binh has worked to develop nature-based tourism as a way of engaging tourists in wildlife conservation.

Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh is now home to 47 bears previously held captive for their bile and illegal trade.

Visitors can gain a better insight into the bears' habitat after watching them close up and taking part in interactive exhibitions and other experiential programmes.

"As well as understanding the bears' habitat, we had the chance to hear stories about rescue and conservation efforts," said Phung Phuong Loan, a visitor from Hanoi.

The tour helped raise our awareness about wildlife protection," she added.

According to Dinh Van The, staff of Ninh Binh Travel Service Joint Stock Company, the sanctuary has great potential to develop tourism.

"I think it should organise more farmtrips to connect with regional tours," he said.

Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh has established itself on the tourism map as an attractive destination for wildlife rescue and conservation.

Together with humanitarian rescue, the sanctuary is operating a sustainable nature-based tourism model with a view to calling on the public to respect wildlife and say no to wildlife products.

Established by FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, the sanctuary is not only a new home to bears rescued from bile farming and the illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam, but an unforgettable experience for learning and exploring in a natural setting.

We are developing the second phase of our tourism project. We will also hold exhibitions in Hanoi and elsewhere and cooperate with other parties to promote sustainable tourism, said Ngo Thi Mai Huong - Director of Four Paw Viet.

Bear Sanctuary Ninh Binh welcomed more than 10,000 visitors last year, who appreciated its heart-rending stories of rescued bears and its efforts to raise public awareness about wildlife conservation and welfare.

(Source: VNA)