Delacour's langurs Archives - Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy

May 10 2023

Using thermal drone to survey Delacour’s langurs

By My Nguyen Delacour's langurs, HOME

Surveying the population of Delacour’s langurs in Van Long Nature Reserve using cutting-edge thermal drone

One of our organization’s most recent initiatives involves the utilization of a cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone, equipped with a state-of-the-art thermal camera, to conduct a population survey of Delacour’s langurs. This advanced technology relies on detecting temperature variations between the animals’ bodies and their surroundings. The implementation of drone surveys represents a significant advancement over the ground method survey. We invite you to watch the video below, which showcases footage captured during one of our drone flights aimed at assessing the critically endangered Delacour’s langur.

Mar 05 2023

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Ostrava Zoo’s representatives visited our project site

By My Nguyen Delacour's langurs, HOME, NEWS

One of our most recent projects is conducting the population survey of the critically endangered Delacour’s langur in Van Long Nature Reserve using the state-of-the-art thermal drone. During one of our trips to establish the drone survey, we were thrilled to welcome Zoo Ostrava – oficiální stránky representative František Příbrský – ochránce zvířat to our project site. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the amazing landscapes and, of course, the langurs.

At our meeting with the Van Long Management Board, Ostrava Zoo expressed interest in supporting some of our survey activities through collaboration between Three Monkeys and Van Long Management Board. We’re deeply grateful to Ostrava Zoo for their generous contribution toward the acquisition of our drone, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to them.

Group photo

Meeting with Van Long Management Board

Ostrava Zoo's representatives were seeking for Delacour's langurs in the wild

A group of Delacour's langurs

Another group was just next to a cave in Van Long Nature Reserve

One group was hanging on the cliff

The representatives were visiting a potential site for future project

Jan 13 2023

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Reintroduction of Delacour’s langur in Trang An

By My Nguyen Delacour's langurs, HOME, PROJECTS

DELACOUR’S LANGUR REINTRODUCTION PROJECT IN TRANG AN UNESCO HERITAGE SITE, NINH BINH PROVINCE, VIETNAM

Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) is a primate species that is found only in the northern region of Vietnam. The species is critically endangered, with only an estimated population of fewer than 275 individuals left in the wild. The largest population is located in Van Long Nature Reserve in Ninh Binh province and the second population is found in the adjacent area in Kim Bang District in Ha Nam province. The only viable population, however, is in Van Long Nature Reserve with less than 200 individuals. To conserve the species, a new population must be established in a highly protected area.

Where would be the perfect place to establish a thriving new population for the critically endangered Delacour’s Langur?

In order to determine the best place to establish a new population, criteria such as the availability of natural limestone habitats and high protection status must be considered. The Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex was determined to be the best location for Delacour’s langur. The complex has a vast system of limestone karst mountains and valleys, cliffs, and caves that provide ideal habitats for the langurs. The Delacour’s Langur has actually been spotted in Trang An until the late 1900s! The complex was recognized as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2014, leading to increased conservation efforts and wildlife protection by the government. This includes the training and assignment of rangers, ensuring that our langurs have the best possible chance at a bright future.

In August 2020, Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy in partnership with other entities such as Trang An Management Board, Cuc Phuong National Park, Four Paws and the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, reintroduced three captive-born langurs to Ngoc island in Trang An. A cage was built on the island for daily health checks and a group of rangers was assigned to protect the group.

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Weekly follow-up has indicated that the group is adapting well to their natural environment and has even shown good signs of population growth, now doubling the size to six individuals, including the parents as one male and two females transferred from the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, and three juveniles born on the island. The first baby langur is a charming female named “Hope”, who was born on the 24th of October in 2021, just one year after the reintroduction took place. On the 22nd of August of the next year, the other mom also gave birth to her first son called “Khoai Lang”, which means sweet potato in Vietnamese since it’s his favorite food. Merely three months ago, Hope’s mom just delivered a beautiful boy on the 26th of March and we call him “Cam” referring to his color in Vietnamese. It’s truly a joy to witness new langurs joining the family each year!

This incredible reintroduction project aims to establish a protected subpopulation of the critically endangered Delacour’s Langur, enhancing their conservation status and increasing the species’ long-term survival rate. The presence of the langurs has also been attracting tourists, providing an opportunity for educating the public on the importance of conserving the species. The project is supported by the government, sponsors, partner organizations, biologists, rangers, and other contributors. Our team is looking forward to further developing the project in the near future.

Oct 31 2021

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First Delacour langur baby born in Trang An – UNESCO World Heritage Site

By Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy Delacour's langurs, HOME, NEWS

In 2020, Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy was deeply involved in the reintroduction trial release of a three-member Delacour’s langur family on the semi-wild Ngoc island in Trang An – UNESCO World Heritage Site. One year later, there is exciting news!

On the 24th of October 2021, a new baby was born. The birth of this very first Delacour’s langur infant is a positive signal for biodiversity preservation in the Trang An area, where this endemic and critically endangered species had entirely disappeared. This first reintroduction step represents great hope by laying the foundation to establish a new reproductive Delacour’s langur population in this area.

This successful project is making headlines in the Vietnamese media (see link), which included a nice picture of our organization’s director of conservation strategies, Tilo Nadler.

[While our organization has been involved in this trial release of Delacour’s langurs into the Trang An World Heritage Site has involved numerous other institutions, organizations, Government authorities and funding, including: FOUR PAWS, the Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Committee, Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, Ninh Binh Forest Protection Department, Trang An Management Board, Vietnam Primate Conservation Program, Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC), Cuc Phuong National Park, the IUCN Primate Specialist Group, Van Long Nature Reserve Management Board, Four Paws Viet Wildlife Conservation Center, Xuan Truong Construction Enterprise, and members of the SUNDASIA research, the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council / Global Challenges Research Fund and the UK Innovation and Research-GCRF Global Impact Acceleration Award]