Vietnamese gibbons on the brink of extinction

International animal conservation organizations warn, three of Vietnam's six rare ape species are on the brink of extinction, when the number of species decline rapidly.

According to the " Status of Vietnamese gibbon conservation " reported by the International Wildlife Conservation Organization (FFI) and the International Conservation Organization (CI) yesterday, near-extinct gibbons include gibbons. Northeast black, northwest black gibbon and white cheeked gibbon.

The first comprehensive report on gibbon in Vietnam reported that the population of gibbon species in the past 10 years has been severely reduced, with only a few in conservation areas. Causes due to the living environment and the hunting situation of humans.

Experts said that even in protected areas, gibbon habitat has narrowed down because of illegal logging activities, encroachment on agricultural land and development of infrastructure for water works. electricity. On the other hand, new roads are built to make it easier for hunters to go to the forest.

White cheeked gibbon. (Photo: AFP).

" Vietnam is an important living area of ​​six gibbon species of the world. All of them are threatened with extinction, " said Ben Rawson, regional primate expert under CI's Greater Mekong Program. .

Ben Rawson said that local people and authorities need to be aware of and protect the endangered gibbon populations.

" According to Vietnamese law, gibbons are protected at the highest level. However, it is not where any law enforcement and people are seriously obeying. Gibbon species mainly live within the protected area. But some populations are so weak that in the near future they will be hard to survive and develop, "said Ben Rawson.

Dr. Ulrike Streicher, veterinarian, FFI Vietnam's Primate Program Manager said that the threats to gibbons are all human . In order to develop, gibbon populations need a large enough forest area, but there are very few remaining Vietnam.

" The gibbon protection needs to be a top priority in Vietnam. The small success we have achieved in gibbon conservation as in the Cao Vit conservation area, Cao Bang has proved we can hope. There is still a lot to do, "said Ulrike Streicher.

" We must act now, otherwise our descendants will no longer have the chance to see gibbons in nature. Gibbons are gentle animals, do not harm anyone, they also bring people beauty and singing. fun and compared to other species that are also closest to humans , "said Nguyen Manh Ha, Researcher of the Center for Natural Resources and Environment Research, Hanoi National University.

According to Mr. Ha, in most areas of Vietnam gibbon distribution, gibbon populations are in danger of extinction. Some places scientists no longer recognize their presence.

" If the future of gibbon species in Vietnam is no longer guaranteed, the level of biodiversity and habitat of Vietnamese people is also threatened ," said Ha.

Last year, the last single horned rhino of Vietnam died, meaning that a rhino subspecies of Southeast Asia is extinct. The fate of Vietnamese gibbon species is also facing this risk.

In order to save wild apes, conservation experts call on people and authorities to stop hunting and illegally trading wildlife, protecting Vietnam's rare and precious apes.