The census for Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) population in the Huong Son Special Use-Protected Forest, Hanoi and Lac Thuy Protected Forest, Hoa Binh Province.
The Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) is an endemic primate species of Vietnam. This species now is facing the risk of extinction due to intense poaching and losing habitat. Recent studies show that there are only two viable populations found in Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve and Kim Bang Forest. However, other important distribution areas of the langur haven’t been properly studied yet including the Huong Son Special use – Protected Forest (Hanoi) and Lac Thuy Protected Forest (Hoa Binh Province).
Within the framework of our endangered species monitoring and conservation program, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with the Lac Thuy Forest Protection Department (Hoa Binh Province) and Huong Son Protection – Special Use Forest Management Board to carry out a survey for Delacour’s langur populations in the forest area within the three provinces (Hanoi, Hoa Binh, and Ha Nam) in May 2021. This limestone forest area has been identified as an important range of the langur. In addition, information about Delacour’s langur has been reported recently, therefore, it is vital to collect further data to propose urgent conservation measures and support proper protection and management planning for this important area.
CCD’s team recorded a group of Delacour’s langurs with at least two individuals. This group was the same group that has been reported in 2016 (Lê Văn Dũng, 2016). However, the number of individuals in the group decreased from 04 individuals (in 2016) to 02 individuals (in 2021). In addition, the survey team noted evidence of human impact in forest including hunting camps, logging signs and encroachment areas.
The result from this survey again confirmed the existence of the langur in the limestone forest in the triangle area of the three provinces. Furthermore, the langur and its habitat are still under pressure from hunting, habitat disturbance by human activities. This confirmation will be a strong scientific evidence that Center for Nature Conservation and Development will use to propose to the local authorities to have a stronger protection effort for the area as well as having appropriate awareness raising activity to inform local community about the langur, its conservation status that help to reduce threats to langur and its habitat and ensure the survival and future recovery of the fragile langur population.
CCD will continue its effort to sustain research and monitoring for Delacour’s langur to pursue more effective conservation measures for this endemic and critically endangered primate.
