We are delighted to announce that we have a new staff on board, Giang, who will work as field biologist for our organization. We want to convey our profound gratitude to our donors for fueling the growth of our organization with your consistent contributions.
Giang proudly earned his Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Maejo University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2020. However, it was in 2021 that his journey took a significant turn. For almost two years, he courageously counteracted the perilous world of wildlife trafficking networks across five central provinces in Vietnam, a known hotspot for such illicit activities. Giang now aspires to further contribute to wildlife conservation in his native area, Ninh Binh province, where Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy is at the forefront of protecting the area’s unique biodiversity.
Your support plays a vital role in empowering individuals like Giang, and his presence in our team will undoubtedly enhance our conservation efforts in Vietnam.
Scientific Officer
Position: Scientific Officer
Office Locations: Hanoi and Cuc Phuong, Vietnam
Deadline: 31st of August 2023
ABOUT THREE MONKEYS WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY:
Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy is an NGO headquartered in Belgium, holding an operational permit to carry out conservation projects in Vietnam. Through dedicated on-the-ground efforts, we collaborate closely with local communities, government bodies, and stakeholders to safeguard endangered species and their natural habitats. Our commitment to conservation is upheld through rigorous in-situ conservation, scientific research, environmental education, and empowering stakeholders. We strive to create a sustainable future that places value on and safeguards Vietnam’s natural heritage, recognizing that our efforts extend to the preservation of our shared planet as a whole.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
We are currently seeking a dedicated and passionate Scientific Officer to join our team at Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy. In this role, you will be responsible for implementing biodiversity and threat monitoring using innovative survey technologies. Your primary focus will be on establishing community-based patrolling units through the integration of SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool). Your responsibilities will involve conducting surveys, collecting, analyzing data and reporting on wildlife populations, training community members in patrolling and surveying techniques, and coordinating patrolling activities. While the primary focus of these surveys will be on key priority fauna such as primates, it may include survey of other vertebrate taxa. Your contributions will extend to grant writing, fundraising efforts, collaborations, workshops and project administration. This presents an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact on wildlife conservation, empower local communities, and actively contribute to the preservation of Vietnam’s exceptional biodiversity. As a Scientific Officer, your role will also be pivotal in supporting our mission and driving meaningful conservation efforts.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Vietnamese national
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in zoology, conservation biology, environmental science, wildlife management, forestry, or a related field
- Recent graduates or early career professionals are encouraged to apply
- Ability and willingness to conduct intensive fieldwork in remote and challenging environments
- Proven interest and/or experience in wildlife conservation
- Understanding of research methodologies for biodiversity surveys, basic statistical concepts, and database management skills
- Technical familiarity with relevant software for data gathering, analysis, and reporting, with an openness to learn
- Experience with SMART technology is an advantage for this application.
- Strong English communication skills (written and verbal) are highly desirable
- Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills, coupled with strong critical thinking abilities
CONTRACT DURATION:
The position provides a 12-month full-time contract, which includes a probationary period. There is a possibility of extension, based on performance and the availability of funding
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, CV, and relevant supporting documents to [email protected] by the deadline of August 31st, 2023. In the cover letter, please express your interest in the position and outline how your qualifications align with the responsibilities and requirements stated in this job description.
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.
We recently had the pleasure of attending the quarterly Wildlife Support Network (WSN) meeting, where we were excited to learn about the latest conservation efforts of other environmental organizations in Vietnam. We felt privileged to have the opportunity to present our own work in Van Long Nature Reserve during two presentations. The WSN provides a crucial platform for NGOs to collaborate and make a real difference in wildlife conservation. We’re eager to keep working together to address the urgent need for wildlife conservation in Vietnam.
On behalf of our NGO, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to USAID, WWF, Re:wild, and all the other organizations involved in organizing the engaging and enjoyable ‘Species Conservation’ conference this whole week. The conference consists of three main seminars including the establishment of a species action plan; an overview of species reintroduction, translocation, and rewilding; and building species reintroduction plan. The opportunity to reconnect with so many remarkable conservationists in Vietnam and around the globe who share our commitment to rewilding our planet was truly inspiring. Thank you for the enriching experience!
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.
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.
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.
LOST AND FOUND
– A book that records the history of the extermination, discovery, and rediscovery of Vietnam’s mammals by Tilo Nadler –
Tilo Nadler – a renowned primatologist that has spent nearly half of his life devoted to Vietnam’s conservation work. He first came to Vietnam in 1991, and two years afterward, he founded the very first primate rescue center in Vietnam. Today, he continues to play a vital role in conservation efforts in Vietnam as the Director of Conservation Strategies for our organization Three Monkeys Wildlife Conservancy. During his 30 years of extensive conservation work in the country, he has witnessed all the changes in Vietnam itself and the conservation work here. Accordingly, this inspired him to write a book that tells the 30-year journey of conservation in Vietnam and how the mammals were discovered, rediscovered, and became extinct. He himself did discover new species, rediscovered some, and also experienced the time that some species went extinct.
The process of accomplishing the book took him two years including searching and gathering information from all sources, adding to writing. The book tells stories of 150 mammal species of Vietnam along with 180 individuals related to the extinction, discovery, and rediscovery of all these species including scientists, discoverers, hunters, etc. Vietnam is a special country with favorable geographical conditions that created a great number of endemic species in the country. The country is also unique in the way that it had been suffered from several wars for decades, which also strongly affects its biodiversity. Besides, it had a long period of time being inaccessible which led to no research from foreign individuals to assess the biological situation there. After its renovation and integration into the world, a booming number of scientific research about new species were undertaken. According to the book, it is estimated that 1800 species of animals and plants were recorded as new discoveries in Vietnam for the last 30 years, which equals at least one new species found in a week on average. This rate of new species discovery establishes an expectation for a future of many more species would be discovered within and even outside Vietnam’s boundary. As a history recorder, the book is one of a kind in collecting all scientific information about the 150 mammals of Vietnam. It can be considered as a heritage for the scientific community in Vietnam as many people can learn profoundly from the book, especially the next generations. Through the book, especially the stories behind the extinction of some species, Tilo wants to convey a message to conservationists and citizens in Vietnam about the importance of maintaining and protecting our wildlife. Nature protection cannot be done solely by funding and sponsorship from foreign countries, but it requires awareness and actions of each and every Vietnamese person.
In order to introduce the book to the public, Tilo Nadler and his family held a cozy book launch in Hanoi on January 4th. More than 60 participants including scientists, experts, NGO representatives, journalists, family, and friends came to join, celebrate, and express their gratitude towards him and the book. Guest speakers, including Professor Nguyen Xuan Dang, Dr. Van Ngoc Thinh – Director of WWF Vietnam, and journalist Do Doan Hoang, gave speeches to express their sentiments about Tilo’s contribution to conservation. They all shared stories about how they met Tilo and their admiration as well as gratitude towards a foreigner that not only contributed to conservation in Vietnam even more greatly than many Vietnamese people but also inspired and guided a lot of people in different generations of Vietnam. Both Dr. Van Ngoc Thinh and journalist Do Doan Hoang stated that they, Vietnamese citizens, were inspired by Tilo, a foreigner, to have higher awareness and responsibility to protect their country’s wildlife after witnessing how Tilo dedicated to Vietnam’s conservation work. Journalist Do Doan Hoang could not help his crying when talking with Tilo as the guy made a strong impact that changed Hoang’s life, and he promised that he and his generation are ready and willing to continue Tilo’s conservation legacy in Vietnam. The event also featured an attendance of a special guest, the son of a former tiger hunter that eliminated 50 tigers during his whole life, but then changed to a natural protector. Their family, who found inspiration from Tilo, now even rehabilitates the surrounding areas so that animals can come back and live harmoniously with humans.
All tremendous contributions that Tilo has made to science, conservation, and biodiversity are irreplaceable and priceless. Sincerest and biggest thanks must be sent to him for leaving to the world a book that records all of his conservation life in Vietnam for the last 30 years. Wish him the greatest health to be able to keep following his passion!
