The Conservation Status of Gibbons in Vietnam - Gibbon Research ...

The Conservation Status of Gibbons in VietnamSouthern Yellow-cheeked Gibbon - Nomascus gabriellaeProposed category and criteria: Endangered A1cd, C1N. gabriellae is by far the most populous gibbon species in Vietnam and has the lowest chance ofextinction. Extrapolating from trends throughout the country, there is likely to have been ageneral decline in the national population, but to what extent is beyond the current scope of thisreport. An assessment of land use change would support a quantitative assessment of past andprojected population declines. There still may be less than 2,500 mature individuals remainingand a population decline of more than 20% in the last two generations would be a realisticassumption, so N. gabriellae may qualify for the status of Endangered in Vietnam.2.2.3 IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides an assessment of the status of species in aglobal context. Gibbon species were most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List of ThreatenedSpecies in 2008 and the six species in Vietnam are categorised as follows:1. Eastern black gibbonNomascus nasutus2. Western black gibbonNomascus concolor3. Northern white-cheeked gibbonNomascus leucogenys4. Southern white-cheeked gibbonNomascus siki5. Northern yellow-cheeked gibbonNomascus annamensis6. Southern yellow-cheeked gibbonNomascus gabriellaeCritically Endangered A2acd; C2a(i); DCritically Endangered A2cdCritically Endangered A2cd+3cdEndangered A2cdNot yet evaluatedEndangered A2cdCritically Endangered and Endangered are the categories indicating the two highest threat levelsfor extinction in the wild. For more detailed information on how species are listed consult IUCNRed List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. N. annamensis has not yet been evaluated, because ithas only recently been described as a distinct species within the genus.2.2.4 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ofWild Fauna and Flora (CITES)Vietnam joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna andFlora (CITES) in 1994. This international agreement aims to ensure that international trade inspecimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Species are listed in one ofthree appendices depending upon the level of protection they are evaluated as requiring tomaintain wild populations. All gibbons are listed on Appendix I, the highest need for protection,for which trade is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.2.3 Priority Sites for Gibbon Conservation in VietnamProtection of Vietnam’s gibbons ultimately needs to occur through concentrated efforts in andaround their habitats. The following sites are listed here to highlight that for each species there isat least one location where the species has a chance of survival in Vietnam, and to propose whereinvestment in gibbon conservation could be most effectively targeted. Criteria for identifying12