The conservation efforts and challenges in protection of the Delacour’s langur in Kim Bang forest, Ha Nam province

The Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) has a highly restricted distribution and is an endemic primate species to northern Vietnam. The global population is estimated at 300 individuals, mainly distributed in Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve and Kim Bang protection forest. During 2016-2018, a series of field surveys conducted by CCD’s experts discovered the world’s second largest known population of the Delacour’s langur in Kim Bang protection forest with the number of individuals of nearly 100. The species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) in the IUCN Red List and under the strict protection of national and international laws. Therefore, the conservation of Delacour’s langur has significance not only for Vietnam but also for the whole international community.

Despite its importance, the Delacour’s langur population in Kim Bang forest is currently on the edge of extinction because of hunting, habitat degradation caused by stone mining and farm invasion within the langur habitat. In addition, lack of investment and the limited human resources are causing difficulty in species protection and conservation. Aware of the situation of this threatened primate, NHÂN DÂN TELEVISION delivered a documentary providing the whole picture of conservation effort for this species in Kim Bang Forest, Ha Nam, especially emphasizing existing conservation challenges. The documentary is a positive indicator of public concern about endangered species as well as biodiversity conservation in Vietnam. 

CCD will work with other NGOs to support local Forest Protection Departments and local authority to improve monitoring and protection and mitigate threats to the critically endangered langur in Kim Bang and its ranges as a whole.