Conservation of Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus [Presbytiscus] avunculus) in Vietnam
The following are excerpts from "Conservation of Tonkin Snub-nosed
Monkeys (Rhinopithecus [Presbytiscus] avunculus) in Vietnam", by
Ramesh Boonratana and Le Xuan Canh, in The Natural History of the
Doucs and Snub-nosed Monkeys, N.G. Jablonski, ed. Singapore, World
Scientific, 1998.
"Conservation of Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus
[Presbytiscus] avunculus) in Vietnam
Abstract: The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus [Presbytiscus]
avunculus), a highly endangered species, is endemic to Vietnam. Its
distribution is restricted to steep karst mountains in northern
Vietnam. An estimate based in a five-month survey shows that at
least 130 Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys from two populations survive on
the Na Hang Reserve in Tuyen Quang Province. Current threats to its
survival include loss of habitat and hunting. Although the Tonkin
snub-nosed monkey is a totally protected species, no known population
exists within a Totally Protected Area. Immediate conservation
activities needed to ensure the survival of one of the world's rarest
species include setting aside a national park in the Na Hang
District, and strict law enforcement wherever the species still
survives.
The largest number of R. (P.) avunculus observed during a single
count at Ta Ke was 72, and the number estimated was 80 in all. All
the groups observed previously on different occasions were seen again
during two population counts. At Nam Trang-Ban Bung, 23 animals were
observed, and the total number was estimated to be 50. This was
based on observations made separately by RB and LXC at two different
locations on the same day. Interviews with village elders and
hunters indicated that population sizes and distribution in the past
could have been between 100 to 200 animals. The present population
sizes are most likely due to past and present hunting pressure and
loss of habitat. It is relatively safe to assume that the
populations at Ta Ke and Nam Trang-Ban Bung are two different
populations. These two areas are separated by Nang River, and there
are no reports of R. (P.) avunculus being able to swim.
Much of Ta Ke and Nam Trang-Ban Bung was partially logged and
subjected to various forms of land clearance. Although logging
operations stopped more than a decade ago, log poaching continues.
Villagers regularly collect bamboo for making houses and household
utensils. The major form of habitat destruction is caused by both
permanent and shifting cultivation by various ethnic minorities, viz.
Tay, Man, Hmong and Meo.
Hunting is a major threat to R. (P.) avunculus throughout its range.
Although the meat of these monkeys is considered "bad tasting," they
are nevertheless killed when encountered. In Na Hang, they are
consumed locally or made into a medicinal stock as a cure for
fatigue. Unconfirmed reports from the adjoining Bac Thai Province
indicate that live and dead R. (P.) avunculus, along with other
animals, are sold to buyers from mainland China in the border areas
of Vietnam and China.
Initial steps at protecting R. (P.) avunculus were jointly initiated
in early 1992 by Primate Conservation, Inc. (PCI), a foreign
non-governmental organization, and Vietnam's Institute of Ecology and
Biological Resources (IEBR). Through a series of dialogues, PCI/IEBR
managed to get the Na Hang People's Committee to issue a decree
banning the hunting, buying and selling if the Tonkin snub nosed
monkey. Also, through the Na Hang People's Committee, we initiated a
patrolling system for the rangers from the Na Hang Forest Protection
Unit (FPU). This included frequent, but random visits to villages
and settlements in and around the forested areas, mainly to show
their presence.
The effectiveness of this patrolling system is yet to be seen, but we
strongly feel that regular presence of FPU Rangers will reduce
hunting in the long term. There are, however, two major setbacks:
(1) the FPU Rangers are not familiar with the forests and do not wish
to be so; (2) many of the hunters are related to the FPU rangers,
hence the FPU Rangers' reluctance to enforce anti-hunting laws.
Intensive and extensive conservation efforts should be implemented
immediately to prevent the highly endangered R. (P.) avunculus from
becoming extinct. Conservation efforts should include surveys in
other forested areas where the monkey is reported or suspected to
occur. Most important is the enforcement of laws pertaining to
wildlife and protected areas. These laws may require review, lest,
the very ideas of protected areas and species, and law enforcement in
the protected areas be defeated.
Further Reading:
Jablonski, N. G. Introduction. In: The Natural History of the Doucs
and Snub nosed Monkeys. Jablonski, N.G., ed. Singapore, World
Scientific, 1998.
Nhat, Pham. Some data on the food of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey
(Rhinopithecus avunculus). Asian Primates 3(3-4): 4, 1993/1994.
Wirth, R. Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus)
rediscovered. Asian Primates 2(2):1-2. 1992
_________________________________________________________________
Topics in Primate Conservation is supported by a grant RR00167,
Regional Primate Centers Program, National Center for Research
Resources, The National Institutes of Health.
_________________________________________________________________
