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Cao vit gibbon mother with young. © Nguyễn Văn Trường / Fauna & Flora

Cao vit gibbon mother with young. © Nguyễn Văn Trường / Fauna & Flora

Transboundary cao vit gibbon conservation

Project

Fauna & Flora works with local partners in northern Vietnam to protect the critically endangered cao vit gibbon.

Our work with cao vit gibbons

With an estimated 74 individuals remaining, the cao vit gibbon is one of the most threatened primates in the world. Fauna & Flora works with community-based patrol groups to monitor gibbon populations, plant trees and assist with law enforcement. We also work closely with the local community to reduce the threat of habitat loss in the surrounding buffer zone.

Fauna & Flora uses conservation technology to survey gibbon populations through acoustic monitoring and thermal drones – both these methods allow us to survey gibbon populations more accurately.

Our impact

Conservation efforts by Fauna & Flora and partners have helped the gibbon population to stabilise and increase, with no hunting or major habitat destruction occurring over the last 15 years. The population has doubled in 20 years and is currently over 70 individuals.

Project partners

This project is delivered in partnership with People Resource and Conservation Foundation, Cao Bang Forest Protection Department, Cao Bang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Trung Khanh Forest Protection Department and the Ranger Station of Trung Khanh SHCA.

Donors

We are grateful for financial support from the Arcus Foundation, the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, the Disney Conservation Fund, the IUCN’s Save Our Species Gibbons Initiative, Twycross Zoo, the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Gibbon Taxon Advisory Group and Nature Picture Library.

 

Project timeline

    2023

    Results from latest population survey published – numbers revised to 74 individuals

    2022

    Developed cooperatives and social enterprises for agriculture and community tourism

    Cao vit gibbon Action Plan cover

    2021

    Produced first international action plan for the species (‘Cao Vit Gibbon Conservation Action Plan from 2021-2030 vision to 2050’)

    2020

    Habituation of the first gibbon group in Vietnam began

    2020

    Gibbon conservation team carried out scientific research and threat monitoring

    2013

    SMART software introduced to the Conservation Area.

    2012

    Vietnam and China signed transboundary agreement.

    2007

    Transboundary population survey for the species completed.

    2007

    Bangliang Nature Reserve, in Guangxi Province, China, established.

    2006

    Cao Vit Gibbon Species and Habitat Conservation Area, Vietnam, established.

    2003

    Community-based patrol teams established to support government in law enforcement and outreach work.

    2002

    Project began.

Browse a ‘storymap’ about this project

Immerse yourself in a dynamic storymap, and learn more about our work with cao vit gibbon in Cao Bang.

View the storymap

A screenshot of the Cao vit gibbon storymap.

A screenshot of the Cao vit gibbon storymap.

A screenshot of the Cao vit gibbon storymap.