The Sundarban
A Tonkin snub-nosed monkey in Vietnam. © Le Khac Quyet / Fauna & Flora
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For once, there’s accurate news in animal conservation. A population of Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus avunculus)—critically endangered primates with vibrant faces and great lips—is stable.
This news is particularly welcome, given the fact that the laughable-having a look species isn’t fair critically endangered. Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys are among the most endangered primates in existence. Many of the species are restricted to 2 primary areas in northern Vietnam’s karst limestone peaks—Quan Ba Woodland and Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area.
A unusual population census by the flora and fauna conservation charity Fauna & Flora verified that Tonkin snub-nosed monkey numbers in the Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area are stable. There are approximately 160 of these primates in the conservation area, according to the latest census. The see took place outdoors of the species’ breeding season and noticed some infants.
Tonkin snub-nosed monkey census 2025
The 19-day see saw a collaboration between Fauna & Flora’s conservation team and local group teams and the use of technological and traditional instruments such as binoculars, thermal imaging drones, and camera traps. They also examined a unusual see approach. They grew to grow to be the see area into a grid map, and each see group dedicated itself totally to fair one cell inside said map. This made them extra environment friendly and avoided overlaps in the counting.
“These numbers unruffled aren’t great. Nonetheless it is miles reassuring that we have been able to title various family teams in Khau Ca and that there isn’t very any proof of trapping or hunting,” Canh Xuan Chu, Tonkin snub-nosed monkey mission manager at Fauna & Flora, said in a statement. “While poaching was once a key threat to the species, our largest challenges today are habitat loss and deforestation, largely on account of agricultural expansion. We are working with our government partners to increase safety of these conservation areas, whereas restoring flora and fauna corridors by which the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey can thrive.”
Walking on tree tops
While the most latest total population estimate for these primates was about 250, it doesn’t take an professional to understand that that’s unruffled a vulnerable quantity. Then again, the Fauna & Flora conservation team in Vietnam is hopeful that the Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys are steadily making a comeback. Here’s the place animal conservationists may presumably start utilizing the term “cautiously optimistic.”
“For the reason that mission began, I have noticed a significant increase in awareness among local communities regarding the conservation of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey. Folks are now no longer utterly extra wakeful about keeping this endemic species of Vietnam, but also extra aware of the importance of safeguarding forest habitats and various flora and fauna species,” said Community Conservation Team member Tran Van On. “The mission has also introduced a range of livelihood activities that present additional earnings for local households, helping to attenuate their dependence on forest sources.”
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