Urgent conservation action for the Critically Endangered Delacour’s langur in Ha Nam province
The limestone landscape in Kim Bang district, Ha Nam Province is an important nature conservation area of the Red River Delta. According the latest survey conducted by CCD in 2018, this landscape is possessing the world’s second largest viable population of the Critically Endangered Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) with more than 70 individuals. Since 2019, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) has been actively working with the Forest Protection Department of Ha Nam province and Fauna and Flora International to improve the protection of this endemic species through engaging local communities in population and habitat monitoring, and providing support to the establishment of a new protected area for these langurs in Kim Bang district.
Strategically, the establishment of a new protected area in Kim Bang with robust conservation measures will secure the langur population and other wildlife in this important limestone landscape. Effective involvement of local community in monitoring and protecting Delacour’s langurs and their habitat will ensure the long-term survival and recovery of the langur population and biodiversity. Finally, a new UNESCO’s biosphere reserve that covers both Kim Bang forests and its associated areas would be proposed to improve the international recognition of the Kim Bang landscape values to enhance further wildlife protection and forest governance.