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

The Conservation Status of Gibbons in VietnamStatusIn 2009, the director of this reserve reported that four gibbon groups survived in the reserve andthat one captive gibbon had been confiscated in 2009 (Nguyen Xuan Dang pers. comm.). In 2008,local reports of gibbons were obtained during wildlife surveys (Anon. 2008). In contrast, in 2003no evidence that gibbons persist in the reserve was found during 20 days of interviews andfieldwork focused on gibbons (Nguyen Manh Ha 2005). Residents reported that gibbons had notbeen heard for five years, probably due to high hunting pressure, and Nguyen Manh Ha (2005)concluded that gibbons were extirpated from the reserve. Interview surveys in 2005 (Le Trong Trai2005) and 2008 (Nguyen Xuan Dang pers. comm.) also returned no records. In 1998, a captiveindividual was present in the reserve (Anon. 1998).Threats and Conservation ActionsAny surviving gibbons are probably under imminent threat of extirpation. In addition, theconstruction of the ‘Trung Son Hydropower Project’ is likely to have an impact on Pu Hu NatureReserve and is predicted to result in further clearance of forest for agriculture and illegal logging,increased wildlife hunting for trade, an increased incidence of forest fires and greater access tothe reserve via the reservoir and new construction roads (Anon. 2008). No conservation actions forgibbons are advocated at this time, given the need to focus financial and technical resources onsites with confirmed populations and the fact that further rapid assessments might not establishany new information. The reserve should be included in national planning efforts for gibbons, toraise staff awareness so that any further sightings will be documented and reported by reservestaff.5.3.6 Xuan Lien Nature ReserveLocation: Thuong Xuan and Nhu Xuan Districts, Thanh Hoa ProvinceArea: 27,668 hectaresStatus criteria: 1a, 2a, 3a, 4b, 5cDate of most recent survey: 2007Date of most recent confirmed record: 2007Minimum population: ≥ 7 groupsStatusSurveys in 2007 (Le Huu Oanh & Rawson 2007), 2003 (Nguyen Manh Ha 2005) and 2002 (La QuangTrung & Trinh Dinh Hoang 2002a) confirmed the presence of a nationally significant population ofthis species in this reserve. Collectively these surveys identified 5-6 groups in Bat Mot Communewith interviews suggesting another 2-3 groups in Xuan Lien Commune; in total, at least 7-9groups survive within Xuan Lien Nature Reserve. These groups are therefore part of a largertransboundary population with neighbouring Pu Hoat Nature Reserve in Nghe An Province (seebelow). In total, 10-12 groups have been recorded in the two reserves.Threats and Conservation ActionsHabitat loss, due to previous development activities and ongoing conversion for agriculture andlogging, are the principle threats to N. leucogenys in this site. Large areas of forest were inundatedby construction of the Cua Dat reservoir, which has reduced lowland habitats in the reserve.Hunting pressure on gibbons is apparently low, which reserve staff accord to effective protection,but which may also reflect the rarity of gibbons in the reserve (Nguyen Manh Ha 2005). At leastone gibbon was hunted in 2000 (Nguyen Manh Ha 2005) and another in 2007 (Vu Ngoc Thanhpers. comm.), the latter subsequently confiscated by reserve staff (Le Huu Oanh & Rawson 2007).45