Vietnam Primate Conservation Status Review 2002 - Hoang Lien ...

Vietnam Primate Conservation Status Review Part 2: LEAF MONKEYS
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5.1.5.5 Conservation status
The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is one of the world’s TOP 25 most endangered primate species
(Conservation International and IUCN Primate Specialist Group, 2000).
The species is considered as “Critically Endangered” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
(Hilton-Taylor, 2000) with the criteria CR C1, E. As result of the current status, R. avunculus should
be listed with the criteria: CR B1, B2 abde, C1. (A quantitative analysis for the criteria E does not
exist). In the Vietnamese national list the species also has the status “Critically Endangered” (Pham
Nhat et al., 1998)
5.1.6 Recommendations for conservation in Vietnam
The conservation of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is one of the highest priorities in the domain of
environmental protection in Vietnam. Immediate measures must be taken in order to increase the
chances of survival for this species, which is almost condemned to extinction.
5.1.6.1 Conduct further field status surveys
✱ In Ha Giang Province there is only the recent sighting in Du Gia Nature Reserve. This
province is within the historical range of this species. Further surveys should be carried
out to assess the status of the species in this province
✱ Two locations, Kinh Thiet Commune (Yen Son District, Tuyen Quang Province) and
Ngoc Phai Commune (Cho Don District, Bac Kan Province) were respectively recorded
in 1992 and 1993. However, these places have not been visited recently. According to
forest cover, it is unlikely that these areas can support a large population of snubnosed
monkeys. However, due to the global critically endangered status of this species,
even the smallest groups should be identified, perhaps for a future translocation or
captive breeding programme.
✱ Further surveys are urgently needed in Phia Booc area (southeast of the proposed extension
of Ba Be National Park). Information from local people reveals that the species may still
occur in the area.
5.1.6.2 Expansion of protected area network and improvement of protected area management
✱ The two sectors of Na Hang Nature Reserve may possess the largest populations of R.
avunculus. Special-use forest status has been approved by a Tuyen Quang People
Committee’s Decision. However, the reserve has not yet been established by governmental
decree so there is still the potential to revise the boundary in light of recent findings. The
FFI survey in October-November 1999 found that the animals living in Ban Bung may
cross the border with Ban Thi and Xuan Lac Communes (Cho Don District). The forested
limestone hills located in these areas should be included in a future extension of the reserve
(Boonratana, 1999). For administrative reasons and to enhance local community
collaboration it may be better to gazette the forest in Xuan Lac commune adjacent to Na
Hang Nature Reserve and Ban Thi commune as Species and Habitat Conservation area
under the management of the commune and Cho Don District. With the presence of two
globally threatened primate species, T. francoisi and R. avunculus, Na Hang Nature Reserve
is of the highest priority for primate conservation.