Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey - Voọc mũi hếch

Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (TSM), Rhinopithecus avunculus is only found in Vietnam. They are Vietnam’s largest primate species and have a very distinctive look that is almost comical due to the upturned nose, tufted ears, pale blue rimmed eyes, thick, pink lips and long white tail. They have different calls including a loud hiccough-like alarm call. This species is found in tropical evergreen forests associated with karsts limestone hills and mountains, and is largely restricted to primary forest at elevations between 200 and 1,200 m in North Vietnam.

 TSM is one of the 25 most endangered species of primate in the world. The species was listed in IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered (CR) because its population size is estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals, with no subpopulation greater than 100 mature individuals, and it is experiencing a continuing decline. TSM is confined to a few areas in far northeastern Viet Nam. Its distribution has become dramatically restricted in recent decades due to massive deforestation and intensive hunting. It is currently known only from small forest patches in Na Hang Nature Reserve in Tuyen Quang and in Khau Ca TSM Conservation Area, Du Gia Nature Reserve and Tung Vai area in Ha Giang Provinces.
Khau Ca – Du Gia area (Ha Giang Province) where this project will take place contains the world largest population of TSM (estimated of 100–120 individuals in 2013 census). The main long-term threat to the TSM at Khau Ca is the limited area of the forest. Potential threats to the species and its habitat locally include illegal logging, hunting, exploitation of a range of non-timber forest products, shifting cultivation, fuel wood collection and grazing of livestock in the forest.

TSM Conservation Programme:

Centre for Resources, Environment and Climate change (CeREC) in collaboration with Ha Giang Provincial Forest Protection Department is implementing Tonkin Snub-nosed Conservation Programme with the aim of providing long-term conservation for the TSM in Ha Giang Province.

Objectives  

1. Raise awareness and pride among local communities concerning the TSM: Producing and distribution of local people friendly education materials (conservation posters, leaflets in local languages) and conduct village meetings for TSM conservation education
2. Support community-based protection of the TSM by a village patrol groups: Establish Village conservation groups (VCGs) at guardian communes; Conduct capacity building to the members of VCGs on forest patrol, law enforcement and support operation of VCGs
3. Capacity training for staff members of Khau Ca - Du Gia NR on TSM monitoring and conservation including basic conservation principles, techniques of forest patrol and law enforcement, and TSM monitoring techniques
4. Support habitat improvement for long-term survival of TSM: to assess gaps in habitat quality and support habitat improvement activities including forest restoration and habitat corridor development
5. Research of the behavior and ecology of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey for conservation implication with focus on feeding ecology of TSM

Activities:

• Field study: See Photo report

• Village meetings were conducted to raise awareness on TSM conservation among local villagers.
• Training Village Conservation Groups and Staff of Khau Ca - Du Gia NR
•  Workshop was organized in Ha Giang Provincial Town for reporting and disscussing with provincial stakeholders on status and conservation of TSM in Khau Ca - Du Gia Area

Publications & Reports:
1. Proceedings of Workshop on Conservation of Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey and Biodiversity in Khau Ca - Du Gia Area, Ha Giang, June 2014 (in Vietnamese). Dowload Pdf.
2. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Nguyen Xuan Dang, Nguyen Xuan Huan, Nguyen Anh Duc (2014). Food choice of Tonkin snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus avunculus in Khau Ca species and habitat conservation area, Ha Giang Province. Tap chi Sinh hoc 2014, 36(2): 179-188 (In Vietnamese with English summary). Dowload Pdf.
3. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh (2014). Study of nutrition ecology of Tonkin Snub-nosedMonkey Rhinopithecus avunculus (Dollman, 1912) in Khau Ca area, Ha Giang Province and Conservation recommendations. Ph.D. Thesis, Hanoi National University, Vietnam.
4. Le Van Dzung (2013). Study of habitat use by of Tonkin Snub-nosedMonkey Rhinopithecus avunculus (Dollman, 1912) in Khau Ca area, Ha Giang Province . Master Thesis, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi, Vietnam.
5. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Nguyen Anh Duc , Nguyen Xuan Huan, Nguyen Xuan Dang (2011). Protein and fibre content in petiole choice of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) at Khau Ca area, Ha Giang province. Dowload Pdf

Partners & Donors of the Programme:

CeREC thanks the following organization for their generous support and sponsorship to our Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey Conservation Programme

		Hanoi National University

Account information for the donors:
Even a small amount can help!

Name of the Account: Centre for Resources, Environment and Climate Change
Account Number: 1500201086156
Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (AgriBank) - Hanoi Branch
Address of the Bank: 77 Lac Trung Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Ha Noi City
Swift Code: VBAAVNVX 401

Please attach a note: Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey (if its possible)
Thank you! 

For more information, please contact: dangcerec@gmail.com