FRANKFURT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY: ZVIETNAM PRIMATE CONSERVATION PROGRAM (AND ENDANGERED PRIMATE RESCUE CENTER, VIETNAM – REPORT 2007

The “Vietnam Primate Conservation Program” of Frankfurt Zoological Society continued with all approved project parts: the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, the “Delacour’s langur Conservation Project” in Van Long Nature Reserve, the “Red-shanked douc langur Research and Conservation Project” in Son Tra Nature Reserve, Danang, the “Hatinh langur Reintroduction Project” at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and the “Grey-shanked douc langur Conservation Project” in Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Gia Lai Province. At the end of 2011 the EPRC housed 150 primates. During the year 21 individuals were born at the center, and 21 died. Four individuals were confiscated and brought to the EPRC. Two Hatinh langurs were transferred to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park for reintroduction and 3 Delacour’s langurs were released into Van Long Nature Reserve. In 2011 the center received about 19,000 visitors; 13,000 foreigners and 6,000 Vietnamese. As part of the “Delacour’s langur Conservation Project” a Delacour’s family including a male, female and a male offspring was health checked and prepared for release at the EPRC, and in August introduced into Van Long Nature Reserve. The three released animals were equipped with GPS-radio collars and monitored for about one year. The “Red-shanked douc langur Research and Conservation Project” in Son Tra Nature Reserve continues during the year. High impacts to the area through road construction activities, tourism, poaching, trapping and collection of non-timber forest products were recorded with negative impacts to the habitat. The joint project of Frankfurt Zoological Society and Cologne Zoo to release captive bred individuals from the Endangered Primate Rescue Center into Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has been a failure. The omission to continue habituation initially resulted in the inability to recapture the animals for the final release. . The “Grey-shanked douc langur Conservation Project” in Kon Ka Kinh National Park carried out several activities to strengthen protection and continued studies on biology and ecology of greyshanked douc langurs. The “Vietnam Primate Conservation Program” received basic financial support from Frankfurt Zoological Society and Leipzig Zoo. Several other sources including conservation organizations, zoos and private donors contributed also to the continuation of the projects. We are grateful for all of the support which makes the work for conservation of highly endangered primate species on the brink of extinction possible.