CAT TIEN NATIONAL PARK: HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY FOR NATURE CONSERVATION

Spanning more than 70,000 hectares across Lam Dong province and Dong Nai city, Cat Tien National Park is home to over 1,700 animal species and more than 1,650 plant species, making it one of Vietnam's most important reservoirs of biodiversity.

To enhance the effectiveness of ecosystem management and conservation, Cat Tien National Park has continuously integrated scientific and technological innovations into forest resource surveys, wildlife monitoring, and biodiversity data management.

In May, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with Cat Tien National Park, organized a training course on "Wildlife Monitoring Using Drones and Camera Trap Data Management." The activity was conducted under the Vietnam Wild Cattle Conservation Programme, with support from Conservation Vietnam, aiming to strengthen conservation capacity and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the region's ecosystems.

From left to right

Figure 1: Technical staff and forest rangers from Cát Tiên National Park participating in the training workshop

Figure 2: Practicing the operation of UAV equipment

Figure 3: Sharing techniques for camera trap deployment

Figure 4: Hands-on guidance on camera trap data processing

Figure 5: Introduction to thermal UAV technology

Through the training, forest protection staff enhanced their knowledge and practical skills in operating drones, managing camera trap data, species identification through photographic records, and conducting field surveys—helping improve on-the-ground conservation effectiveness.

In the coming years, CCD and Cat Tien National Park will continue to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen collaboration, and mobilize long-term resources to support sustainable conservation efforts, contributing to the shared goal of safeguarding Vietnam's rich biodiversity for future generations.