Vietnam National University Teachers' Training College VIETNAM CRYPTOZOIC AND RARE ANIMALS RESEARCH CENTRE (CRARC)

Address: Prof. Dr Tran Hong Viet
Head, Department of Zoology
TEACHERS' TRAINING COLLEGE
VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Dich Vong - Cau Giai - Hanoi - Vietnam
Km 8, Hanoi-Sontay Road

Tel: +84 (4) 644.8504

Email to: Crarc@netnam.org.vn or Crarc@netnam.vn

Secretary: Tran Hong Hai

Vietnam is situated in tropical transition zone for a variety of plants and animals spreading from the North (India, China) and from the South (Malay and Indonesian archipelago). As a consequence, Vietnam has rich and diverse fauna and flora.

Studies of Vietnam's fauna, starting with the first publications by Le Quy Don, 1724-1784, (Van dai loai ngu)) Dampier, 1703, (A new voyage round the would - introduction) of some animals collected in Con Dao Island) and Linnaeus, 1758 (publication of jungle fowl Phasianus gallus found in Con Dao Island). Almost three centuries now have passed but many areas in the country still remain under-investigated, and most certainly many species have yet to be discovered.

Consequently, there is no complete classification key for the country fauna, basic disciplines such as Systematics, and Zoogeography can not proceed, and even the compilation of a monograph on Vietnam's fauna has not been possible.

General inventory of the fauna should not be prolonged in the twenty-first century. This problem needs urgent solution. VIETNAM CRYPTOZOIC AND RARE ANIMALS RESEARCH CENTRE (CRARC) was established in this context with the aim of contributing our utmost to deal with these problems.

VIETNAM CRYPTOZOIC AND RARE ANIMALS RESEARCH CENTRE (CRARC) was established on the first of May, 1997 in the Teacher's Training College - Vietnam National University, Hanoi

- Scope of operation: Nation- wide

- Director: Prof. Dr Tran Hong Viet, Head of Zoology Department, Teacher's Training College - Vietnam National University, Hanoi

I - RESEARCH PURPOSES

All activities of the Centre are aimed at the following purposes:

• To participate in faunal inventory in all provinces one by one from the North to the South, compilation of complete checklist of animal species by district level, estimation of species density and animal resources, adding information for development of basic sciences, progressing towards the compilation of a "Fauna of Vietnam" monograph. Focus:
• Discovering the highest possible numbers of cryptozoic animals in areas, conducting comprehensive surveys, giving names, announcing the discoveries of the animals and proposing conservation measures.
• Assessment of present status of rare and precious animal species, study of their ecology and other related issues for elaborating measures of their effective conservation.
• Implementation of certain conservation activities including captive breeding of rare and precious species for gene poo preservation and enhance the nation's income.
• Compiling references and educating the public about protection of Vietnam's natural resources.
• Training scientists for zoological studies in the country.

II- ORGANISATION

III - ACTIVITIES

• Conducting basic wildlife survey projects of all organisations and areas throughout the country.
• Carrying out research related to protection and breeding of animals and rare precious animals for all organisations and areas.
• Collaboration with overseas individuals and organisations in development and implementation of projects on wildlife survey and conservation.
• Compiling programmes and references and educating the populace about natural resource protection.
• Offering a Masters and Doctoral program in biology, zoology, zooecology, after candidates have passed the entrance examination of the Teacher's Training College - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

The centre expects to receive much co-operation and help from domestic and overseas individuals and organisations.

Prepared byAustralia Vietnam Science Technology Link

Published: 12 April 2005