
Northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) conservation in Pu Hoat nature reserve
Northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) is one of the most endangered primates in the world. The gibbon is listed in group 1 of Vietnam’s government decree on protected species, and listed as Endangered Vietnam’s Red Data Book, and listed as Critically Endangered (CR) by the IUCN. Pu Hoat is one of the largest protected areas in Northern Vietnam that covers an area of 85,000ha of least impact forest. In addition, the reserve is a contiguous forest with Xuan Lien Nature reserve that makes the area become the largest and most important conservation complex in Northern Vietnam and for the Northern white-cheeked gibbon.
Under the CCD’s species conservation program, CCD’s conservation team in collaboration with Pu Hoat Nature Reserve implements a preliminary survey for gibbon populations in the reserve from May 14 to June 16, 2019. The survey focused on identifying key gibbon distribution areas in the reserve, identify key threats to gibbon and conservation issues, study local community perception toward gibbon and nature conservation efforts. The survey result confirmed the gibbon presence, and Pu Hoan is one of the key conservation sites for the species. However, gibbon is under threat as gibbon poaching and keeping seem frequent in the local community. In addition, its habitat is also under threatened by logging and expansion of new hydropower dams in the area. The new dams reduce gibbon and wildlife habitats and permanently separated their habitat causing fragmentation.
CCD is working closely with Xuan Lien and Pu Hoat to strengthen the reserve and local community capacity via community-based conservation education, endangered species monitoring programs that focus on endangered species include gibbon, lorises.
Photo 1. Northern white checked gibbon illegally kept in local household Photo 2. Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) illegally kept in local household Photo 4. Participatory interview in local community Photo 5. The survey team in the field