Survey for Tonkin snub-nosed monkey in Bac Can, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang province

Nguyen Manh Ha

Vietnam has been identified as one of Asia's most biologically valuable countries. The wide range of habitats has given rise to the country's rich and diverse wildlife species, most of that are endemic. The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avuculus) is not only an endemic species, it is also restricted to the rich forest or steep limestone mountains of northern Vietnam. Current population is estimated to be no more than 200 individuals. It is the most critically endangered primate species in the greater Asia region. This project will collect vital data on present status, distribution, ecology and threats to the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, provide some recommendations for the protection of this monkey, and make a link between conservation activities and the local people. The project will be carried out in Na Hang Nature Reserved, Ba Be National Park, and 2 other project sites of three provinces using traditional methods employed by scientists. The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avuculus) is an endemic species, it is also a slender-bodied arboreal colobine restricted to the rich forest or steep limestone mountains of northern Vietnam. It is the most critically endangered primate species in the greater Asia region. It has been designated very high conservation priority in several legal documents. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) 1996 Red List of Threatened Animals listed the species under the category: Critically Endangered. The Red Data Book of Vietnam 1992 listed it under Endangered. The Convention of International Trade Endangered Species (CITES) 1997-1999 appendix: 1 and Decision No. 18 HDBT of Vietnam government put it in-group: 1B (Prohibition to exploit and use). It is vital that we collect some useful data on present density and threats to the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, provide some recommendations for the protection of this monkey, and make a link between conservation activities and the local people. The project will be carried out in Na Hang Nature Reserved, Ba Be National Park, and 2 other project sites of three provinces using traditional methods employed by scientists. The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is endemic to Vietnam and occupies a specific area. R. Ratajsczak , Ngoc Can and Pham Nhat (1992) estimated the population of this species at about 290-350, of which 190-250 live in Ha Tuyen province (now divided into Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang). Due to deforestation and exploitative hunting activities, the population of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey may be 100-120 inside the Na Hang Nature Reserve. It is estimated that there are 70-100 in neighbouring habitats of Tuyen Quang (Chiem Hoa, Yen Son district), Ha Giang province (Bac Me) and Bac Can province (Ba Be, Cho Don, Bach Thong district). The total population of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey throughout its distribution range is no more than 200.Therefore, this project is needed as a way of surveying the distribution, conservation status, and some ecological characteristics of the monkey, as a means of helping for sustainable management of this endangered species.