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

Nomascus leucogenys5.3 Nomascus leucogenys Records in Vietnam5.3.1 Muong Nhe Nature ReserveLocation: Muong Nhe District, Dien Bien ProvinceArea: 45,581 hectaresStatus criteria: 1a, 2b, 3a, 4c, 5fDate of most recent survey: 2010Date of most recent confirmed record: 2010Minimum population: ≥ 16 groupsStatusExtensive gibbon surveys were conducted in this reserve in 2010 (Nguyen Manh Ha et al. 2010a).At least 16 gibbon groups were detected, of which 13 occurred in the northern part of the reservenear the border with Laos (Nguyen Manh Ha et al. 2010a). Few gibbons remain in the southernpart of the reserve, due to hunting and habitat loss (Nguyen Manh Ha et al. 2010a). Prior to 2010,local reports had indicated at least three gibbon groups were present (Nguyen Duc Tu et al. 2001;Do Tuoc 2006). The reserve appears to contain one of the largest remaining populations of N.leucogenys in Vietnam.Threats and Conservation ActionsHunting is the principle threat to N. leucogenys in this site. Gibbons in the north of the reserveappear to be more secure than those in the south, due to more intact habitats, limited humanaccess and increased protection afforded by international border security measures (NguyenManh Ha et al. 2010a). At least three instances of gibbon hunting at the site were reported since2008, and many households own guns (Nguyen Manh Ha et al. 2010a). Given the nationalimportance of this site for N. leucogenys, a focused programme of protection for remaininggibbon groups should be initiated as soon as possible. This should include dedicated rangerpatrols and control of guns through confiscation and buyback schemes (Nguyen Manh Ha et al.2010a). Further surveys are required to ascertain the total gibbon population in the reserve.Nomascus concolor may also occur in the reserve (Nguyen Manh Ha et al. 2010a), although vocalrecordings and DNA analysis would be needed to confirm this.5.3.2 Sop Cop Nature ReserveLocation: Sop Cop and Song Ma Districts, Son La ProvinceArea: 18,709 hectaresStatus criteria: 1c, 2b, 3c, 4c, 5fDate of most recent survey: 2011Date of most recent confirmed record: 2011Minimum population: ≥ 2 groupsStatusIn November 2011, a group of five individuals was seen in an isolated forest of about 300 ha in SaiKhao Village, Muong Cai Commune, Song Ma District (Nguyen Manh Ha pers. comm.). This groupis being protected by the Mong villagers. No gibbons were confirmed in the nature reserve itselfat the time. This survey followed an earlier report by Son La Provincial FPD of the presence of42