VietNamNet Bridge - A survey conducted in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang in September and October recorded the highest number of critically endangered Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys in Vietnam to date.

Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys in Ha Giang.

About 108-113 Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys were recorded in the Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area in Ha Giang. Previously the highest recorded number of the endangered monkeys in this are was approximately 90, suggesting the population is recovering.  

The survey was led by Fauna & Flora International’s (FFI) Vietnam Primate Program, biologist Nguyen Van Truong, and assisted by the locally-based community conservation teams and the University of Colorado Boulder’s research assistant team.

The Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus avunculus) are only found in Northern Vietnam, in a few isolated forest patches. With an estimated global population of just 200-250 individuals, the species has been pushed to the brink of extinction through habitat loss and hunting, despite being protected under Vietnamese law.  

The Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area is now confirmed to be home to the largest population of this critically endangered species  –  with  almost half of the estimated global population in residence. On-going conservation of this site is vital to the continuation of this species. 

“To date, this represents one of the few examples of a reversal in decline of one of Vietnam’s critically endangered species and demonstrates that with the commitment of Vietnamese authorities and involvement of local communities, wildlife population declines can be reversed,” said Dr. Benjamin Rawson, regional Primate Program Manager for FFI.

Mr. Jake Brunner from IUCN, said: “This news confirms the importance of Khau Ca as the stronghold of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey with half its global population. A key next step is for the provincial government to stream additional finance to this area to make protection of this population a sustainable long-term proposition.”

PV