Latest news with #Fauna&FloraVietnam
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Experts thrilled as cameras capture newborn creatures high in jungle treetops: 'Seeing it reminded me of my own children'
The critically endangered Cao-vit gibbon is making progress toward recovery, according to Mongabay. A recent report by conservation group Fauna & Flora celebrated two newborns in northern Vietnam in 2024. "It is very rare that we observe baby gibbons," said Tho Duc Nguyen, Fauna & Flora Vietnam program project manager, per Mongabay. "This is a sign that the number of gibbons can increase in the troop and expand the living area, bringing a better future for the Cao-vit gibbon." Cao-vit gibbons produce offspring relatively slowly, with females giving birth every four years. Even then, Fauna & Flora spotted only one to three per year across four different troops in the region from 2020-25. With a population of fewer than 50 mature adults and 74 individuals, this rate of growth is highly precarious. Cao-vit gibbons were thought to have gone extinct because of overhunting until they were rediscovered in 2002. Conservation officers have since monitored the groups they could find, but challenging terrain has been an obstacle. New technology such as drones and thermal cameras has been helpful in producing more accurate data. Hunting remains a threat to such small populations, with demand driven by the fur trade and traditional medicine. The live trade of gibbons is a factor as well. Combined with habitat loss from logging and agriculture, wild species across the board are in trouble. Certain protections are proving useful, however. Cao-vit gibbon hunters face up to 15 years in jail and $78,000 in fines. The folks at Fauna & Flora are hopeful that the return of the Cao-vit gibbon can reinvigorate local ecosystems. "This was the smallest baby gibbon I had ever seen and seeing it reminded me of my own children as babies being cared for by my wife," Nguyen said. "This is amazing and an encouraging sign of hope for the species' population, which is currently very low, and highlights the critical importance of long-term ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts in Cao Bằng." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts sound alarm after returning to search for one of the world's most threatened primates: '...the world around us unravels a bit'
Scientists have reported that a rare monkey species — once known to exist in two regions — is now only found in Vietnam's Khau Ca protected reserve. Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys are native to Vietnam. They're an endangered species that only inhabited two locations on Earth — the country's Quan Ba Forest and Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area. According to a Mongabay News article, they have vanished from Quan Ba Forest. The species' only home is now Khau Ca, raising alarms for conservationists and researchers. The monkeys were last seen in Quan Ba Forest in June 2020. In April 2024, the Fauna & Flora Vietnam Programme supported a 32-person, five-day search of 454 miles of jungle. According to the Cambridge University Press's report, they saw no signs of Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys. "We did not see the monkeys this year," says Lam Van Hoang, director of Fauna & Flora Vietnam. Conservationists from Fauna & Flora say this is cause for great concern. Some locals shared anecdotes of seeing the monkeys in the Quan Ba Forest. But there is no solid evidence the species survived here. The population's disappearance is detrimental to the local ecosystem. It's also a troubling indicator of environmental issues. This species is critically endangered. The monkeys may not seem integral, but every species plays a vital role. These monkeys are herbivores who help with seed dispersal, which supports forest growth. When any species goes extinct, it disrupts the ecosystem's balance. This creates a ripple effect that can harm the food chain. One species disappearing can lead to others going extinct. Ecosystem disruption can also harm the human food and clean water supply. As the Center for Biological Diversity explains, "Each time a species goes extinct, the world around us unravels a bit." This species' endangered status is due to several human factors. Deforestation, hunting, and agricultural expansion are the likeliest causes of the population decline. Specifically, cardamom farming is destroying their habitat. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Hoang told Mongabay News, "Without strong conservation attempts, especially from the local authorities, the population in Khau Ca will face high risks from illegal activities and pressure from local communities." The efforts to support the species are helpful. But more must be done about deforestation and agricultural expansion. Hoang also explained the importance of reintroducing monkeys to Quan Ba. He said it's a crucial next step and should act as a "backup population for the species." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
