Endangered Primates in Vietnam
Extra Population of Douc Langurs Increases Numbers Significantly
The chance of long term survival for a critically endangered species, the Grey-shanked Douc, went up by around 1/6th with discovery of group estimated at 180 animals.
The Grey Shanked Douc Langur (Pyathrix cinerea) has only been known of since the late 1990s when the first six animals of this colobine monkey species were confiscated by forest protection staff in Vietnam. The grey shanked douc is one of the 25 most endangered primates according to the IUCN Primate Specialist Group. The finding of a group of significant size in a different area has led to speculation that the new population has not been heavily hunted, making their habitat a high priority for consideration for protection. Protection of that region along with captive breeding may aid the grey shanked douc’s long term survival chances.
Survey work carried out once the animals were established as a new species revealed an estimated population of 600-700 grey-shanked doucs spread thinly through 2 primary areas in 5 central Vietnam provinces. Finding an estimated 180 more of these langurs is an exciting boost for those trying to save the species. And the newly discovered population is large enough to have some normal sized troops of 50 or so animals. Troops in other more fragmented rainforest habitats can be as small as 4-6 animals, numbers which are too low for long term survival.
The primary threats to grey-shanked douc langurs are hunting and deforestation, as is common for other Asian rainforest species. Logging, fruit tree plantation development and firewood gathering put pressure on their habitat. And given the restricted dietary requirements of these primates, they eat only very specific species and age leaves supplemented with some seeds and fruit, protecting areas with enough food and appropriate shelter will be critical.
Those first confiscated primates were taken to the Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC) in Cuc Phong National Park. EPRC was established with the support of the Frankfurt Zoological Society through their Vietnam Primate Conservation Programme which worked closely with the Ministry of Forestry and other international organizations during the development process. The confiscated langurs are now a part of a captive breeding program and the first ever captive born grey-shanked doucs are being reared at the EPRC. Eventually animals from EPRC will be reintroduced to the wild to enhance the existing population. Caring for these unusual primates in captivity has been difficult as their diet is so very specific.
Four sections of the forests where grey shanked douc are found are under consideration for special habitat and species protection. While it is unlikely that all four will be designated, protecting even some of the doucs forest home is necessary to ensure that hunting and deforestation pressure don’t result in the extinction of this newly found species.
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