03 Jul 2007 - Tam Ky,
Vietnam – A team of scientists from WWF
and Conservation International (CI) has
discovered the world’s largest known population
of grey-shanked doucs, increasing the chances
that the endangered monkey can be saved
from extinction.
Recent surveys in central Vietnam recorded
at least 116 of the tree-dwelling colobine
monkeys. As only a small part of the area
has been surveyed, scientists believe more
doucs may be found in the adjacent forest.
“This is an exciting and important discovery
because of the large size of the population,”
said Barney Long, a conservation coordinator
with WWF Vietnam.
“It’s very rare to discover a population
of this size with such high numbers in a
small area, especially for a species on
the brink of extinction. This indicates
that the population has not been impacted
by hunting like all other known populations
of the species.”
The grey-shanked douc (Pygathrix cinerea)
is one of the world’s 25 most endangered
primates and has only been recorded in the
five central Vietnamese provinces — Quang
Nam, Kon Tum, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and
Gia Lai. Fewer than 1,000 individuals are
believed to still exist, and until now,
only one other population with more than
100 animals was known.
Future protection
Like many primate species in Vietnam, the
doucs face an uncertain future due to hunting
and habitat loss. A 2006 IUCN assessment
determined that 65 per cent of Vietnam’s
primate taxa are Endangered or Critically
Endangered, making the country one of the
highest global priorities for primate conservation.
A WWF survey team first discovered the
new douc population in August 2005 while
studying the region for possible establishment
of a new protected area. Two recent joint
surveys in adjacent areas involving scientists
from WWF’s Greater Mekong Program and Conservation
International’s Indo-Burma Office revealed
the significance of the find.
“When I gave up economics to pursue my
passion for wildlife, I never dreamed that
I would be able to make such an impact,”
said Tran Khanh Duong, who led the most
recent WWF–CI surveys. “I look forward to
continuing my work at the site to ensure
that this population is protected.”
The doucs are located in the proposed Central
Quang Nam Species and Habitat Conservation
Area. WWF and Conservation International
support the establishment of a protected
area here to protect the globally important
population of monkeys, along with a herd
of elephants that live in the lowland forests
to the south.
END NOTES:
• The surveys were funded by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, WWF-US and the Margot
Marsh Biodiversity Foundation. WWF has been
supporting Quang Nam and adjacent provinces
through its Central Truong Son Landscape
Conservation Programme for over six years.
Rangers from across Quang Nam and Thue Thien
Hue provinces have been trained in primate
surveying, monitoring, and conservation
methods.
Barney Long, Central Truong Son Conservation
Landscape Coordinator
WWF Greater Mekong Programme, Vietnam
