Source : Vietnam News Service, 30 Nov '05
By : VNS
  

	Out on a limb: Rare Hatinh langur have been found in the central province of Quang Tri. — Photo Tilo Nadler

The unique find was made by BirdLife International and Quang Tri Provincial Department of Forest Protection during a recent biodiversity survey of the area.

Both parties were surveying the area while preparing to transform Quang Tri Province’s Bac Huong Hoa into a nature reserve when they came across the species of monkey.

Wildlife experts believe the number of Hatinh langurs in the area is actually greater than the colony of 12 recently discovered, however, bad weather cut short their previous expedition into the region.

The recent find is an exciting discovery for wildlife experts as it is the first time the species has been detected in Quang Tri Province.

Previously, the Hatinh langur (Trachypithescus laotum hatinhensis) was only known to exist in Phong Nha-Ke Bang and Kim Lu limestone forests, both located in Quang Binh Province.

Dubbed con cung by the local ethnic minority people Van Kieu, the small monkey which resides in the limestone cliffs is distinguished by its black coat and long tail.

The Hatinh langur is a rare species unique to Viet Nam, qualifying as endangered under the IUCN Red List.

The proposed Bac Huong Hoa nature reserve will cover an estimated 35,000ha, with the limestone forest occupying 1,500ha of the designated sanctuary

Numerous other species from the region will undoubtedly also benefit from the nature reserve, including the Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), the wild gaur (Bos gaurus), red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus), white-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys), Annamite striped rabbit (Nesolagus temminsi), Edwards’ pheasant (Lophura edwardsi), the great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) and the brown hornbill (Anorrhinus tickelli).

It is anticipated that the animal sanctuary will soon be made official and assist in the preservation of wildlife in Quang Tri Province.

Recent efforts to establish the region as a nature reserve have been attributed to the hard work of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, the provincial department of forest protection and BirdLife International, said Le Trong Trai, project co-ordinator for BirdLife International Vietnam Programme.

"During the coming years there will be a lot of work to do if we are to preserve the biodiversity granted by nature, while also contributing to the development of the local economy" said Trai. — VNS