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

The Conservation Status of Gibbons in Vietnampriority sites are; inclusion of at least one site for each species, the relative size of the local gibbonpopulation compared to other sites, locations where conservation activities are focussed onreducing the threats to gibbons and the perceived relatively low level of decline or stability of thegibbon population. Altogether these criteria should lead to identifying sites where, given currentknowledge, the gibbon population has the best chance of survival compared to other sites withthat species. This list is not meant to be definitive, particularly as there remain areas in central andsouthern Vietnam where substantial unrecorded gibbon populations may remain. A moreparticipatory prioritisation process, such as through preparation of a national action plan, couldtherefore refine this list.Eastern Black Gibbon - Nomascus nasutusCao Vit Gibbon Conservation Area in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province, maintains theonly known population of this species in the world and is therefore of high international andnational importance for gibbon conservation. FFI has been leading efforts to conserve thispopulation since 2002 with apparent success.Western Black Gibbon - Nomascus concolorMu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area, Yen Bai Province and neighbouringMuong La District, Son La Province, is the only location with a viable population in Vietnam andthus has high national importance. Conservation efforts need to remain focused on Mu Cang ChaiSHCA where most of the population remains, but should also be maintained in Muong La District,where many of the pressures come from. FFI has been leading efforts to conserve this populationfor more than a decade.Northern White-cheeked Gibbon - Nomascus leucogenysPu Mat National Park, Nghe An Province, hosts a large gibbon population close to the Laoborder that has been protected by the difficult access to the forest as a result of the steep, ruggedterrain. This situation is likely to rapidly change due to the planned construction of roads throughthe national park into Laos. With the largest known population of this species in Vietnam, Pu MatNational Park is of high national importance. This population may be part of a larger populationextending into Laos and given the uncertainty surrounding the status of N. leucogenys in Laos, PuMat National Park is also of high international importance. Muong Nhe Nature Reserve, DienBien Province, also appears to have a viable population, while preliminary data from Vu QuangNational Park suggests a significant population may persist there also.Southern White-cheeked Gibbon - Nomascus sikiPhong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, maintains a large population of N. sikiof as yet unknown proportions. Much of the national park is naturally protected by karstlimestone forest, which is difficult to access, thus hindering a comprehensive survey effort to date.The population may be contiguous with gibbon groups in Hin Nam No National Protected Area inLaos. With possible links to Lao populations and given the uncertainty of the status of N. siki inLaos, this area is also considered of high international importance. Gibbons are also one of theflagship species of the Germany-funded project ‘Sustainable Natural Resource Management ofthe Phong Nha-Ke Bang Region’. Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, Quang Tri Province, has asignificant population of N. siki, which may be part of a larger population extending into Khe GiuaState Forest Enterprise in Quang Binh Province.Northern Yellow-cheeked Gibbon - Nomascus annamensisDak Rong and Phong Dien Nature Reserves, in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue Provincesrespectively, hold more than 80 groups of N. annamensis in a contiguous area of over 65,000 ha,making it an area of high national importance for conservation of the species. This is the largest13