A survey conducted in northern Ha Giang province, beginning inSeptember, determined that 108 to 113 Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys(Rhinopithecus avunculus) are living in the Khau Ca Species and HabitatConservation Area.
This is the highest number ofTonkin snub-nosed monkeys recorded in the area to date. Tonkinsnub-nosed monkeys are a critically endangered species, and it isestimated that there are only 200-250 Tonkin snub-nosed monkeysworldwide.
The area's management board previouslyannounced that the highest recorded number for the protected area wasapproximately 90 monkeys, suggesting the population is recovering.
The survey was led by Fauna and Flora International (FFI)'s VietnamPrimate Programme Biologist Nguyen Van Truong, and assisted by locallybased community conservation teams and the University of ColoradoBoulder's research assistant team.
Ongoing conservation at this site is believed to be vital to the continuation of this species.
Hoang Van Tue, Chief of Conservation for the provincial ForestProtection Department, said the conservation of the Tonkin snub-nosedmonkey in Khau Ca is the result of the combined effort of the provincialForest Protection Department and international organisations.
Tue noted that discovering newborn monkeys during the survey was an encouraging sign for the future of the species.
Meanwhile, Dr Benjamin Rawson, regional Primate Programme Manager forFFI, said "To date, this represents one of the few examples of areversal in decline of one of Vietnam's Critically Endangered species,and demonstrates that with the commitment of Vietnamese authorities andinvolvement of local communities, wildlife population declines can bereversed."
Also, Jake Brunner from the InternationalUnion for Conservation of Nature said, "This news confirms theimportance of Khau Ca as the stronghold of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey,caring for half of the global population."
A keynext step is for the provincial government to provide additionalfinancing to this area to make protection of this population asustainable long-term proposition, he said.-VNA
This is the highest number ofTonkin snub-nosed monkeys recorded in the area to date. Tonkinsnub-nosed monkeys are a critically endangered species, and it isestimated that there are only 200-250 Tonkin snub-nosed monkeysworldwide.
The area's management board previouslyannounced that the highest recorded number for the protected area wasapproximately 90 monkeys, suggesting the population is recovering.
The survey was led by Fauna and Flora International (FFI)'s VietnamPrimate Programme Biologist Nguyen Van Truong, and assisted by locallybased community conservation teams and the University of ColoradoBoulder's research assistant team.
Ongoing conservation at this site is believed to be vital to the continuation of this species.
Hoang Van Tue, Chief of Conservation for the provincial ForestProtection Department, said the conservation of the Tonkin snub-nosedmonkey in Khau Ca is the result of the combined effort of the provincialForest Protection Department and international organisations.
Tue noted that discovering newborn monkeys during the survey was an encouraging sign for the future of the species.
Meanwhile, Dr Benjamin Rawson, regional Primate Programme Manager forFFI, said "To date, this represents one of the few examples of areversal in decline of one of Vietnam's Critically Endangered species,and demonstrates that with the commitment of Vietnamese authorities andinvolvement of local communities, wildlife population declines can bereversed."
Also, Jake Brunner from the InternationalUnion for Conservation of Nature said, "This news confirms theimportance of Khau Ca as the stronghold of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey,caring for half of the global population."
A keynext step is for the provincial government to provide additionalfinancing to this area to make protection of this population asustainable long-term proposition, he said.-VNA
