The population of cao vit gibbons in Vietnam, one of the world’s rarest and most endangered primates, has increased by 17 percent from 2007 and by five times compared to 2002, the Fauna & Flora International reported. FFI yesterday confirmed that the population of the gibbon that is called “cao vit” in Vietnamese (scientific name Nomascus nasutus) has increased in the Cao vit Gibbon Conservation Zone in northern Cao Bang Province. The confirmation was made after FFI scientists found a total of 129 cao vit gibbons at the zone during their 2-week survey there. The survey was conducted by a group of 31 scientists led by Nguyen The Cuong, a Vietnamese census coordinator of the cao vit gibbon, and Brian Crudge, technical advisor of the FFI Vietnam’s Primate Program. In 2007, the gibbon population there was 110, which means the current population of the gibbon has increased by 17 percent, FFI reported. In 2002, FFI scientists found only 26 cao vit gibbons in a forest on a limestone mountain in Cao Bang’ Trung Khanh District. Since that time, FFI’s team in Vietnam has been leading conservation efforts in the area, implementing a wide range of activities to reduce threats to the gibbons and their habitat. These include improved forest protection, community outreach, livelihood development, environmental education, habitat restoration and ecological research, FFI said.

Scientists working at the Cao vit Gibbon Conservation Zone in Cao Bang Province (Photo: FFI)

Dr Ulrike Streicher, FFI Vietnam’s Primate Program Manager, said of the results: “They are fantastic. Everybody involved in activities to protect the cao vit gibbons should be complimented on their great efforts. Nothing reflects successful conservation activities better than increasing populations of the species you strive to protect.” Meanwhile, Nong Van Tao, director of the zone, said he was very happy with the good performance jointly gained by FFI and the zone. Tao said he hoped that the zone would have a long-term cooperation with FFI. Cao vit gibbon is now one of the most endangered primates in the world. The species is classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, and is listed among the world’s 25 most endangered primates.