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Babies in the treetops - Newborn cao vit gibbons spotted in Vietnam
Celebrating an upswing in the fortunes of the cao vit gibbon after a tiny infant was spotted in the forests of Cao Bang,...
Fauna & Flora conservationists in Vietnam have captured camera-trap imagery of the endangered forest musk deer in Cao Bang province, the first time the species has been officially recorded in the wild in this area for decades.
Tusks instead of antlers
Also known as the dwarf musk deer, it is one of eight species of musk deer, mostly found across Asia. Musk deer have no antlers, but the males have enlarged upper canines which form sabre-like tusks that are used to compete for females during the mating season. The males also have scent glands, which produce pheromones to attract a mate.
A musk deer caught on camera trap in Cao Bang, Vietnam.
Demand for musk proving deadly for deer
The musk from these glands is highly sought after for use in perfumes, and the insatiable demand has led to unsustainable levels of commercial exploitation. As a result, the forest musk deer is now endangered throughout its limited range in northernmost Vietnam and southern China. The remaining population in Vietnam, which was last estimated at under 50 individuals in 2023, continues to face severe pressure from trapping and snaring, and from habitat fragmentation.
Cao Bang – a refuge for rare species
Recorded during a camera-trap survey funded by Twycross Zoo, the musk deer images were captured within the same forest landscape that harbours the cao vit gibbon, one of the world’s rarest primates. Following the recent sighting, Fauna & Flora’s team will now use the data to secure a better estimate of the forest musk deer’s population size in Cao Bang, and will work with local communities to conduct a more systematic camera-trapping effort in order to document other threatened species such as the Asiatic black bear. With greater evidence of musk deer and other species in the area, a stronger case can be built for extending the existing Cao Vit Gibbon Species & Habitat Conservation Area, which would bring benefits for a wide range of species.
Aishwarya Maheshwari, Senior Technical Specialist, Fauna & Flora comments: “Fauna & Flora’s work in Cao Bang focuses on conserving the critically endangered cao vit gibbon, but there are many more wonderful and rare species living in and around this area, like the forest musk deer. It’s critical therefore that we emphasise the importance of protecting not just the official conservation area, but the surrounding habitats too. By driving landscape level efforts, we can deliver more effective conservation that benefits people and the climate too.”
Forest musk deer were first recorded on camera trap in a different area of northern Vietnam in 2021 by a team of scientists from local NGO Southeast Asia – Forestry Biodiversity Conservation, Viet Nam National University of Forestry, Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and Re:wild – the first confirmation in more than two decades that the species persists in Vietnam. This latest record offers renewed hope for the forest musk deer in the country.
Setting up a camera trap to document musk deer in Vietnam. © Local Forestry Protection Department / Fauna & Flora
Fauna & Flora's Chuyen Van Luong scaling a steep rock face to set up camera traps in the musk deer's remote and rugged refuge.
Scientists have been searching for the musk deer in this area for years without success. Now we’ve found it. This discovery would not have been possible without the help of local community members and the local Forestry Protection Departments, who provided critical intelligence on where the musk deer may be found, and guided us to extremely difficult locations so that we could set up camera traps. Their local knowledge of the area – and how to navigate it – has been vital to our conservation efforts.
Tho Duc Nguyen
Project Manager, Fauna & Flora Vietnam Programme
Scientists have been searching for the musk deer in this area for years without success. Now we’ve found it. This discovery would not have been possible without the help of local community members and the local Forestry Protection Departments, who provided critical intelligence on where the musk deer may be found, and guided us to extremely difficult locations so that we could set up camera traps. Their local knowledge of the area – and how to navigate it – has been vital to our conservation efforts.
Tho Duc Nguyen
Project Manager, Fauna & Flora Vietnam Programme
Every species matters
Conserving the musk deer is important because it plays a key role in forest ecology and is an indicator species for the health of such ecosystems. For example, musk deer consume a variety of plants, berries and leaves, contributing to seed dispersal across their habitat, and their browsing habits help to maintain forest diversity.
Save the extraordinary
Every species has a unique role to play. Every second counts. Every donation makes a difference.
Help save natureMusk deer captured on camera trap in Cao Bang province, Vietnam. © Local Forestry Protection Department / Fauna & Flora
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