Tilo Nadler’s Book Launch

Tilo Nadler – a renowned primatologist that has spent nearly half of his life devoted to Vietnam’s conservation work. He first came to Vietnam in 1991, and two years afterward, he founded the very first primate rescue center in Vietnam. Today, he continues to play a vital role in conservation efforts in Vietnam as the Director of Conservation Strategies for our organization Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy. During his 30 years of extensive conservation work in the country, he has witnessed all the changes in Vietnam itself and the conservation work here. Accordingly, this inspired him to write a book that tells the 30-year journey of conservation in Vietnam and how the mammals were discovered, rediscovered, and became extinct. He himself did discover new species, rediscovered some, and also experienced the time that some species went extinct.

The process of accomplishing the book took him two years including searching and gathering information from all sources, adding to writing. The book tells stories of 150 mammal species of Vietnam along with 180 individuals related to the extinction, discovery, and rediscovery of all these species including scientists, discoverers, hunters, etc. Vietnam is a special country with favorable geographical conditions that created a great number of endemic species in the country. The country is also unique in the way that it had been suffered from several wars for decades, which also strongly affects its biodiversity. Besides, it had a long period of time being inaccessible which led to no research from foreign individuals to assess the biological situation there. After its renovation and integration into the world, a booming number of scientific research about new species were undertaken. According to the book, it is estimated that 1800 species of animals and plants were recorded as new discoveries in Vietnam for the last 30 years, which equals at least one new species found in a week on average. This rate of new species discovery establishes an expectation for a future of many more species would be discovered within and even outside Vietnam’s boundary. As a history recorder, the book is one of a kind in collecting all scientific information about the 150 mammals of Vietnam. It can be considered as a heritage for the scientific community in Vietnam as many people can learn profoundly from the book, especially the next generations. Through the book, especially the stories behind the extinction of some species, Tilo wants to convey a message to conservationists and citizens in Vietnam about the importance of maintaining and protecting our wildlife. Nature protection cannot be done solely by funding and sponsorship from foreign countries, but it requires awareness and actions of each and every Vietnamese person.

In order to introduce the book to the public, Tilo Nadler and his family held a cozy book launch in Hanoi on January 4th. More than 60 participants including scientists, experts, NGO representatives, journalists, family, and friends came to join, celebrate, and express their gratitude towards him and the book. Guest speakers, including Professor Nguyen Xuan Dang, Dr. Van Ngoc Thinh – Director of WWF Vietnam, and journalist Do Doan Hoang, gave speeches to express their sentiments about Tilo’s contribution to conservation. They all shared stories about how they met Tilo and their admiration as well as gratitude towards a foreigner that not only contributed to conservation in Vietnam even more greatly than many Vietnamese people but also inspired and guided a lot of people in different generations of Vietnam. Both Dr. Van Ngoc Thinh and journalist Do Doan Hoang stated that they, Vietnamese citizens, were inspired by Tilo, a foreigner, to have higher awareness and responsibility to protect their country’s wildlife after witnessing how Tilo dedicated to Vietnam’s conservation work. Journalist Do Doan Hoang could not help his crying when talking with Tilo as the guy made a strong impact that changed Hoang’s life, and he promised that he and his generation are ready and willing to continue Tilo’s conservation legacy in Vietnam. The event also featured an attendance of a special guest, the son of a former tiger hunter that eliminated 50 tigers during his whole life, but then changed to a natural protector. Their family, who found inspiration from Tilo, now even rehabilitates the surrounding areas so that animals can come back and live harmoniously with humans.

All tremendous contributions that Tilo has made to science, conservation, and biodiversity are irreplaceable and priceless. Sincerest and biggest thanks must be sent to him for leaving to the world a book that records all of his conservation life in Vietnam for the last 30 years. Wish him the greatest health to be able to keep following his passion!