Owston's civet (Chrotogale owstoni)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 230532083

Assessing civet coffee and wild meat tourism/consumerism in Vietnam, in relation to endangered Owston’s civet (Chrotogale owstoni) conservation.

Lead by The Civet Project Foundation, this project seeks to determine the significance of civet tourism as a driver towards C. owstoni decline in Vietnam. Specifically, civet coffee production and civet meat is in increas demand throughout the Annamites, the last remaining stronghold of C. owstoni. Civet coffee and meat is heavily connected to increased tourism in Vietnam, yet this link has yet to be assessed in terms of species conservation, despite increased civet poaching to supply tourism being likely. We will survey key tourism sites surrounding the Annamites (civet coffee farms, tours, wild animal markets, and cafes/restaurants selling wild meat) to assess the demand for these products. We will also interview tourism operators, and tourists/consumers to understand the motivational drivers and marketing messages that contribute to a desire to interact with live civets and consume civet products (civet coffee and civet meat). The research will thus contribute to the body of evidence required for species evaluations by the IUCN SSC. The research will also be disseminated via an online media campaign that will educate the public on sustainable consumerism and ethical animal tourism in Vietnam, and will encourage tourism operators to engage with wildlife conservation commitments.