Saving the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey in Na Hang Nature Reserve, North Vietnam
The Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey Rhinopithecus
avunculus ranks among the 10 globally most threatened primates. Until
the 1960s this species, which is restricted to North Vietnam, was still
relatively widely distributed. Subsequently its population collapsed and
currently consists of only 150 to 200 individuals. The remaining animals
are increasingly threatened by poaching and destruction of their habitat,
mainly by clearing of forest areas for agriculture.
The Na Hang Nature Reserve, one of the
last remaining retreats for the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey, is situated north
of Hanoi in a remote and rather inaccessible region. It encompasses an area
of ca. 41,000 hectares, which still consists of large stretches of untouched
rainforest. About 2,000 people, spread over 17 settlements, live in and around
the strictly protected areas of the reserve. They depend mainly on agriculture.
Hunting and cutting of firewood are commonplace and hamper the conservation
objectives of the reserve.
Successful conservation of the Snub-nosed Monkey and its habitat is only
possible with the inclusion and active participation of the local people.
Therefore, the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey - Conservation Project in
the Na Hang Nature Reserve - supported by the Nestlé Schöller
GmbH & Co. KG - focuses its main activities on the following conservation
measures:
-
Supporting the Vietnamese authorities in their efforts to protect the Tonkin
Snub-nosed Monkey
-
Maintaining and supporting a forest ranger group to target poaching and illegal
wood felling
-
Promoting sustainable use of natural resources and developing alternative
income sources for the local population
-
Environmental education and information campaigns on the uniqueness of the
Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkeys and the advantages for the local population deriving
from rainforest preservation
-
Field studies and research on the ecology and distribution of the Tonkin
Snub-nosed Monkey and other rare animal species
The Species Conservation Foundation would like to thank the Nestlé Schöller GmbH & Co. KG for its generous support.
