Thuy Nguyen
About yourself
I am currently Animal Manager of the Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC), an ex-situ conservation program in collaboration between the Indo-Myanmar Conservation’s Asian Turtle Program (IMC/ATP) and Cuc Phuong National Park. My conservation journey was started since 2009 as Program officer at the ATP.
I am responsible for captive turtle and tortoise populations at TCC, managing rescue, rehabilitation, releasing and breeding activities at the centre. I am leading ten staffs and volunteer program, supporting local partners and government stakeholders on wildlife trade combating and rescue capacity building.
What are some of the rewards and challenges working in conservation?
Being able to work closely with nature, especially freshwater turtles and tortoises of Vietnam, a country in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, is very fascinating to me. Despite being less popular and impressive than some other animals, they are key ambassadors of preserved habitat (especially wetlands that are critically threatened habitat worldwide). Each species is impressive in their own way of appearance, ability and lifestyle that surprised my curiosity every day.
I have acquired a precious and unique knowledge for Vietnamese species yet, many elements are still to be understood. All native turtle species in Vietnam are threatened and facing extinction. Our work is to provide well-being placement in captivity for animals to recover from suffering from trade and poor keeping conditions. Yet there is a long process to return turtle safely and sustainably in the wild.
What does being a part of the ASAP Women in Conservation Leadership network mean to you?
I am privilege to be a part of the ASAP Women in Conservation Leadership network among 15 participants from Southeast Asia countries in the second co-hort. Being able to share and learn from other women and leaders in different programs is surely a strong inspiration for me and a way to interrogate my own practice to bring it to a better level. I believe women can make a strong difference for conservation and together support together through our journeys to achieve conservation goals
Why is this programme important to you?
As a young manager growing up in a small conservation sector, I always would like to continue developing myself to use professional skills for Vietnam turtle and tortoise conservation. The ASAP Women leadership training program is the unique course that not only provides environmental safety but also equips women like me with necessary tools and leadership skills through three inspirational modules from self-visibility to collective-visibility. The program was designed and updated systematically to benefit participant’s ability to be a better leader and empower our team to deliver conservation efforts and impacts. The program provides up to date knowledge and strengthen my leadership and communication skills to build up our team’s capacity, convince partners about the priority for ASAP species, help me to set better strategic goals to ensure their wellbeing in ex-situ conservation & rewild them safely into nature.