Vietnamese Journal of Primatology - Frankfurt Zoological Society

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Vietnamese Journal of Primatology (2007) 1, 75-83 C∏c k’t qu∂ nghin c¯u v“ th¯c ®n nµy, cÔng vÌi c∏c sË li÷u v“ h◊nh th∏i hµm, cho th†y mËi quan h÷ h◊nh th∏i-sinh th∏i khńg mong muËn trong c∏c loµi thuÈc giËng Rhinopithecus. Nhñg mËi quan h÷ nµy Æang Æ≠Óc chÛng tí ti’p tÙc nghin c¯u chi ti’t. Introduction The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) is restricted to a small area in northern Vietnam where it is endemic. This species was named by Dollman (1912), but very few sightings of it occurred in the following decades, leading Mittermeier & Cheney (1986) to state “the Vietnamese snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) from Tonkin may already be extinct. It is known from only a handful of museum specimens collected earlier in this century, and there are no recent reports of it from the wild.” While not extinct, it is critically endangered with Nadler et al. (2003) and Mittermeier et al. (2005) reporting that only three small populations of Tonkin snub-nosed (TSN) monkeys are now known, consisting of less than 300 individuals. In fact, Cowlishaw & Dunbar (2000), in their influential Primate Conservation Biology text, use the snub-nosed monkeys as the first example of primates in peril of extinction, stating that of the four Rhinopithecus species, the TSN monkey is the most endangered. Populations in Na Hang and Cham Chu Nature Reserves identified in the early 1990’s are severely threatened by human activities. The third population, which occurs in Khau Ca adjacent to the Du Gia Nature Reserve, Ha Giang Province was initially confirmed to exist at this site in 2002 (Le Khac Quyet, 2002; 2004) (Fig. 1). Only one long-term study of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey was conducted (Boonratana & Le Xuan Canh, 1998a, b) prior to the present project. This study collected valuable information on the social behavior and ecology of this rare species, and our results complement those of this earlier research. Although conservation efforts have led to better protection for the monkeys and their habitat in Khau Ca, hunting, habitat loss and disturbance remain considerable threats, particularly in Nha Hang and Cham Chu (Le Xuan Canh & Boonratana, 2006). In fact, recent surveys in these areas indicate that populations have declined significantly in the past few years. Studies of this species’ behavior and ecology are still limited, but are necessary to develop sustainable and effective conservations strategies. This report presents information on the diet of TSN monkey in the Khau Ca area based on a long term study from December 2004 – May 2006. Material and Methods Study site The present study was conducted between December 2004 and May 2006 in a limestone forest in the Khau Ca area (22 o 51’N; 105 o 08’E) of Ha Giang Province, northeastern Vietnam (Fig. 2). This small patch of limestone forest is located in three communes of Ha Giang Province: Tung Ba (Vi Xuyen District), Yen Dinh and Minh Son (Bac Me District). Its total area is approximately 1,000 ha (Fig. 3). This region is situated in the northern tropics, the climate is hot and wet, and includes a dry 76 Fig. 1. Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) in Khau Ca area, Ha Giang Province. Photo: Le Khac Quyet.
Le Khac Quyet et al.: Diet of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey Fig. 2. Habitat of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey in Khau Ca area in Ha Giang Province, northeastern Vietnam. Photo: Le Khac Quyet. season. Total rainfall is around 2,300 mm/year. The mean annual temperature is around 23.3 o C. The lowest mean relative humidity occurs during October and December (35.5%) and the highest during February and March (87% and up to 100%). The dry season (
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Vietnamese Journal of Primatology - Frankfurt Zoological Society

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