Tonkin snub-nosed monkey

The unusual and mysterious Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is one of the 25 most endangered species of primate in the world. It is only found in Vietnam and was believed extinct until its rediscovery in the early 1990s.

In May 2002, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) discovered a vitally important population in a small patch of limestone forest known as Khau Ca, in Ha Giang Province.

Tonkin snub-nosed monkey facts:

• It is believed there are fewer than 200 Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys left in the world
• They are Vietnam’s largest primate species and have a very distinctive look that is almost comical due to the upturned nose, tufted ears, pale blue rimmed eyes and thick, pink lips
• They have different calls including a loud hiccough-like alarm call

The main long-term threat to the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey at Khau Ca is the limited area of the forest. Surveys have highlighted several potential threats to the species and its habitat locally, including illegal logging, hunting, exploitation of a range of non-timber forest products, shifting cultivation, fuelwood collection and grazing of livestock in the forest.

Fauna & Flora International’s (FFI’s) Vietnam Conservation Support Programme and Ha Giang Provincial Forest Protection Department are implementing a community-based primate conservation project with the aim of providing long-term conservation for the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey in Ha Giang Province.

Download the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey conservation project profile (PDF).