Conservation of the Red-Shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus) in Bach Ma National Park, Vietnam

Final Report Prepared for Peoples Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)

By Le Thi Dien April, 2009

Executive Summary: The red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus), is an endangered monkey distributing in Vietnam, Lao, and Cambodia. Through this study, we reported the total number of animals observed during the study is 22 animals (estimate 26 animals). The survey area is 130 km2. Therefore, current population density estimated was 0.17 individuals per km2. P. nemaeus were mainly found at elevation between 500 and 1.300m above sea level in Bach Ma National Park. Groups of P. nemaues often distribute in restoration forest habitat or tropical broadleaf evergreen rain forest habitat. A total of 41 belonging to 25 families were observed eaten by P. nemaeus at Bach Ma National Park. One of the most important finding is we add fifteen new tree species used by P. nemaeus to the existing food list. P. nemaeus were observed feeding on variety of food items including leaves, buds, flower buds, flowers, fruits, and bamboo shoots. We also recognised that three main threats to P. nemaeus were identified during the study, including hunting, habitat destruction and tourism. Two senior students were
instructed to do research and three training courses were be organized to improve conservation awareness of the BNP staffs, students of Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, and local people in endangered primate species survey and monitoring.

INTRODUCTION The colobine monkeys of the genus Pygathrix are native to Indochina. Until only ten years ago, just two distinct taxa were recognized: the red-shanked douc, Pygathrix nemaeus, named by Linnaeus in 1771, in the northern part of Central Vietnam and Central Laos; and the black-shanked douc, P. nigripes, from South Vietnam and east Cambodia, described exactly a century later by Milne-Edwards. In Vietnam the douc langur is found from Tay Ninh province to Nghe An province (Pham, 1993). Red-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus) are found in Bach Ma National Park, and black-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix nemaeus nigripes) are found in Nam Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam (Eames and Robson, 1993). Both the red and black-shanked douc langurs are found in Kong Cha Rang, Kon Khi Kinh, and Mom Ray Nature Reserves (Lippold, 1995)1.
1 http://www.theprimata.com/pygathrix_nemaeus.html

The beautiful red-shanked douc langur is only found in north and central Vietnam and Laos. Its habitat is in the lowland to montane primary and secondary rainforest where it lives in the mid to upper levels of the canopy2. They live in moist tropical rain forest but have also adapted to dry (monsoon) forest (Camille Dorian, 2002). The red-shanked douc langur has been listed as EN A1cd (IUCN Red List ver 2.3 (1994)), Appendix I (CITES), Endangered (Red Book on Fauna of Vietnam, 2004), and category IB (Decree 32/2006/ND-CP of Vietnam). However, their population sizes in the wild appear to decline because of several conservation problems. Firstly, habitat loss and forest fragmentation is one of the most important factors threatening this species. The loss of natural forest by war, logging and the replacement of secondary natural forests by commercial plantation forests in the area has reduced the quality and quantity of natural habitat drastically. Secondly, it is currently known as one of the most popular primates in the food and pet trade. They are considered a delicacy all over Southeast Asia. In addition, it is also in danger of becoming medicinal products because some traditional oriental medicines use douc langur body parts (Camille Dorian, 2002). Under pressure from hunting and habitat loss, the number of this species is dwindling fast. Lastly, limiting on skills of species monitoring and conserving of conservationists due to lacking the specific information of species as well as non-participating of local communities on wildlife conservation is another cause of the decline of this species in nature. Without immediate and decisive conservation action, these species are likely to become extinct very soon3. There have been conservationists doing researches into distribution, population size and diet of the species. Pham Nhat (1993) investigated into 49 floras of 22 fammilies used as food by P. nemaeus. Some authors have identified the occurrence of the species in Bach Ma Natonal Park such as Eames & Robson, 1993; Lippold, 1995; Matsumarra, 1997; Huynh Van Keo and Van Ngoc Thinh, 1998. However, due to the high hunting pressure in Bach Ma National Park, douc langur populations have considerably reduced (Vu Ngoc Thanh, pers. comm.). Therefore, data on biology, ecology, distribution, population abundance, and threats of the species is vital for long-term conservation and management recommendations. Training courses and participating on project activities will provide local people, conservationists,

2 http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/redshanked_douc_langur.htm 3 WWF

young researchers, students, and others with the necessary skills for conserving this species.

AIMS OF PROJECT The overall aim of our project is to obtain information useful for the better monitoring and conservation of the Red-Shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus) in particular and primate species in general in the central region of Vietnam. Hiring local people and Bach Ma National Park staffs as field assistants within this project and training courses will allow for the capacity development and conservation awareness of stakeholder members. Through the study, we intend: (1) To identify the distribution and abundance of P. nemaeus; (2) To study the ecology and behavior of P. nemaeus; (3) To assess current and potential threats to P. nemaeus and its natural habitats and propose possible solutions to the species conservation; (4) To promote conservation awareness through employment and capacity development of Bach Ma National Park staffs, students of Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, and local people in endangered primate species survey and monitoring; (5) To make appropriate conservation and management recommendations for the species and its habitats. METHODS 1. Research site Bach Ma National Park is located in the Central Truong Son, is a strip of forest connecting the border between Lao and Vietnam with the East Sea. This National Park with high biodiversity is the habitat of many rare plants and animals. Among those is P. nemaues. According to rangers experience, We have determined distribution sites of P.nemaeus in sub-areas 207, 209, 210, 211, 214, 227, 229, 230, 231, 375, 384, 385, and 386 of the National Park, the total scale of these areas is estimated to be 130km2. Thus, the research areas are determined in the scale of 130km2 in these sub-areas.

Study site was selected based on local informants and previous reports. Five transects were established within the langurs known habitats: (i) Transect 1: Bach Ma summit - Coldebay: two expeditions; (ii) Transect 2: Km 14 Bach Ma - Tri Sao waterfall: one expedition; (iii) Transect 3: Km 14 Bach Ma - Truoi lake: one expedition; (iv) Transect 4: Bach Ma summit - Lien Chi slope: one expedition. 2. Research Time The study was carried out from November, 2008 to May, 2009 in Bach Ma National Park. In the first month we interwiewed rangers of Bach Ma National Park to collect data of the times they encountered P. nemaues, the plants used as food by P. nemaues and threats to the species, and identified line-transects. In the rest months, we implemented field investigations in line-transects to collect data of distribution, population size, food plants of the species and threats to it. Each expedition was investigated in one day per month. The total number of days spent on field investigation is 30. 3. Methodology 3.1. Interview We carried out interviews with villagers, hunters, and experienced staffs of Bach Ma National Park to determine the most likely places for encountering the species. These interviews also provided information on the current and past distribution and population size of the species, the list of food eaten by this species, as well as the threats to this species in the study area.

Figure 01. The Map of observed transects

3.2. Forest survey (+) Investigation into the species distribution status and population size Investigation in each line-transect was carried out to observe the occurrence of P. nemaeus. The time for observation was from 6: am to 6: pm. In addition, all signs such as tracks, faeces, feeding signs, vocalizations, etc. was noticed to determine distribution of this species. (+) Food All samples of food plants and potential food were collected from areas known to be in the range of the monkeys. Representative samples of food eaten were selected from trees in which monkeys would be observed feeding. Additional samples were chosen from trees judged to be common in the habitat.

(+) Threats Threats to the species are identified through interviewing rangers, field observation, and the levels of threats are arranged according to the criteria: (+) range of impacts (total impacts in the park or partly impact), (+) intensity of impacts (strongly impact or slightly impact).

Surveying in the field 3.3. Training and workshop: - Three field training courses will be organized to improve conservation awareness of the BNP staffs, students of Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, and local people in endangered primate species survey and monitoring. - A workshop among the related stakeholders (Conservationists of Bach Ma National Park, local authorities, local people, research team members, staffs of the Green Corridor Project, Staffs of NGOs related to conservation in Thua Thien Hue Province, students of Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry) by the end of the project will be organized to present the research findings; have discussions; receive comments from participants to finalize the research report; and create a network for research and primate conservation among stakeholders.

RESULTS
1. Population status Three groups and one solitary juvenile female of P. nemaeus were recorded based on direct observations and informants during the study. The number of animals and age/sex composition of 3 groups observed are presented in table 01.

The highest count for a single group was 10 animals (estimated 12 animals) and the lowest count for a single group was 5 animals (estimated 7 animals). Average group size is 7 animals. The estimates were based on evidences such as branch movements and vocalizations. Juveniles were seen in all three groups. An Infant clinging an adult female was observed in group 3 in July 2008. The infants/adults ratio is 1: 2.75. It was difficult to identify sexes of adults in the field since the groups observed traveled fast and observations were made at distance. Further, animals appeared to be wary of observers and they often fled away when detected observers. Table 01. Population sizes of Red-shanked douc langur in BMNP No. Solitary Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 TOTAL Count 1 5 6 10 22 Estimate 1 7 6 12 26 ? ?2 ? ? ?2 ? Adult Male Adult female Juveniles 1 (female) 2 2 2 7 1 1 Infants

The solitary juvenile was rescued and released to the forest by forest rangers in July, 2007 when it was confined in a cage. Local people said that they had caught this Langur in April, 2006. Meanwhile, the Langur was about 4-5 months old, it was in burned status because it had been carried by his mother to near the field which was being burned for afforestation. At the time being rescued, this Langur was about 20 months old and in good health condition. When it is released, at first it only fed around the burnt-over land. Later, it moved gradually to the top, it is currently seen at an altitude of 600-700m. Although living close to the group of 5-7 langurs (2 km far from this group), the animal appeared not to integrate with neighboring groups since she always traveled, fed and rested alone and kept distance with neighboring groups. The total number of animals observed during the study is 22 animals (estimate 26 animals). The survey area is 130 km2. Therefore, current population density estimated was 0.17 individuals per km2.

2. Distribution The locations and elevations of 3 groups and a solitary female juvenile of Pygathrix nemaeus are shown in table 2.1. P. nemaeus were mainly found at elevation between 500 and 1.300m above sea level in Bach Ma National Park. According to local reports, Pygathryx nemaeus were often seen in CHO DEN (Prashorea stellata) forest and surrouding areas. These groups sometimes shift from Truoi Pond to Morin for feeding.

Table 02. Distribution of 3 groups and a solitary juvenile female of P. nemaeus at BMNP No. Solitary Elevation (m) 18-678 Locations N:16017,185 E:107010,126 N: 16013,125 E:107096,337 Group 1 491-953 N:16016,231 E:107013,577 to N: 16012,156 E:107 92,720 Group 3 1,375 N:16011,763 E:107051,755 Group 4 1,150-1,336 From N: 16011,833 E:107050,729 to N: 16011,856 E:107050,739 The distribution of the P. nemaeus are shown by Figure 02. In Bach Ma National park, groups of P. nemaues often distribute in restoration forest habitat or tropical broadleaf evergreen rain forest habitat. However, the species has a
0

Habitats Burnt-over land, tropical

broadleaf evergreen rain forest (poor forests)

Tropical

broadleaf

evergreen

rain forest (secondary forest after logging-young forests) and sub-tropical broadleaf evergreen rain forest (rich forests) Sub-tropical broadleaf evergreen rain forest (poor and rich forests) Sub-tropical broadleaf evergreen rain forest (medium and rich forests)

wide range for feeding, from field habitat in the Park foot (in altitude of 18m) to subtropical broadleaf evergreen rain forest (in altitude over 900m). The Investigation and interviews show that the P. nemaues lives and feeds on many different types of forests. However, it only occasionally feeds on poor forest habitat with forest structure is broken down completely, the cover is <0.3 with some poor quanlity plants, and many vines and bushes. Most of the time, the species lives and feeds in restoration forest habitat with tree species compositions formed, medium forests, and rich forests. Especially, area of CHO DEN (Prashorea stellata) forests which has a very steep terrain with many rock walls, and CHO DEN (Prashorea stellata) population distributing almost homogeneously with dense branches and not many interlacing vines is the most favourite areas of P. nemaues.

Figure 02. Distribution map of P. nemaeus at BMNP

3. Organization and Behaviour of the P. nemaeus in research sites 3.1. Social system The social system of P. nemaeus varies between a unimale and a multimale-multifemale system. The social system of the P. nemaeus depends on the roles played by each individual in the group. In each group, there will be one adult male P. nemaeus by whom the power of the group is held and most of the important activities of the group are organized. In addition, male and female individuals of this species are also found living alone in forests. A ratio of one male and one female is often found in each group of the P. nemaeus. Females have a higher tendency to groom males in multimale groups than in unimale groups. In research sites, most of the time P. nemaeus is found living in groups with an adult male P. nemaeus leading. When discovering strange sounds, they often inform others of dangers by growling. Then, they begin their movements through the forest canopy to other areas in the forests while carefully turning back to observe and growling. In each group, mature individuals often get food for others, especially for younger individuals in the group. Infants are often carried ventrally when they are foraging for food or making their movement through forest canopy. Basing on the times of their occurrences that were observed, this species can be said to live and move among branches of trees usually. Sometimes, they also feed on the ground. Thus, the social organization system of the P. nemaeus has common features with those of other kinds of Primate living in groups on trees. 3.2. Behaviour The P. nemaeus is one of the species of langurs lives on trees and carries out their activities at day-time. They live in the mid to upper levels of the canopy. * Daily activities: Daily activities of this species consist of playing, climbing, jumping up and down in one place, stooping, hanging, and swinging from overhead supports. Contact between individuals during play consists of touching, pulling, mouthing, wrestling, and chasing. in social play, immature group members tend to play more than adults. The most popular times for play are just after eating time and before resting at night.

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* Vocal communication of the P. nemaeus: Based on secondary researches and field researches, vocal communication of the P. nemaeus is realized to consist of: twitter: This call consists of a range of faint, slightly squeaky, bird-like twittering sounds. (Kavanagh, 1978). This call sounds like the "maiow" of a cat and is often produced at high intensities. This call is often accompanied by grimace. This call occurs in a response to stare of others or as a submissive signal. It can also be a signal allowing an individual to approach another without getting a hostile response. growl: This call occurs during feeding or during the stare display. When emitted during stare, this call serves to communicate threat. This call was found to be only emitted by adults as to inform of dangers or express angers. This call may be uttered singly or in series of two or three followed by a pause, then a repeat of the series. squeal: This call is a short and harsh sound of high frequencies. This call is emitted during agonistic disturbances between combative individuals. This call serves to signal distress or frustration . * Time period of daily activities and resting of the P. nemaeus: This is a primate species living on trees and carrying out their activities at day-time. According to previous studies, the most popular times of the P. nemaeus for play are late mornings, early afternoons, and just before resting at night (Lippold, 1977). Thus, based on these pieces of information as well as field researches, interviews with staff members, tourists and local people living in buffer zone of Bach Ma National Park, the time period of daily activities and resting of the P. nemaeus has been preliminarily identified and indicated as in the statistic table below: Table 03. Time period of daily activities of the P. nemaeus Activities Feeding Time period Around 6:am to 10:30am, 13:30 to 17:30 Near noon time, around 10:30 to 11:30, in early afternoon Play from 13:00-13:30, and before resting time at night from 17:30 to 18:30 Resting At night from 18:30-6:00am, at noon time from 11:30-13:00

Time period of daily activities of this species is indicated clearer in the graph below:

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n Chi Ngh

35%

55%

10%

Figure 03. Percentage of time for daily activities of the P. nemaeus Thus, most of the time in a day is used for feeding and resting. Resting time takes the highest percentage with 13 hours and 55% of a day time. Feeding time is about 8.5 hours, take 35% of a day time, and 2.5 hours left is play time, take 10% of a day time. * Parental care and protection: Movement of the group is led by the adult males with females and infants in the center and juvenile males bringing up the rear (Lippold, 1998). Infants are often carried ventrally by their mothers or adult members when the group is moving or feeding. Sometimes, group members break off part of a branch with leaves and give it to another group member (Kavanagh,1978). * Hiding behaviour: When hearing strange sounds, they often hide themselves behind canopies and huge branches, adult or mature individuals growl to inform others of dangers and move to another place (according to people who have encoutered the P. nemaeus in Bach MA national Park). 4. Diet 4.1. Food composition A total of 41 belonging to 25 families were observed eaten by P. nemaeus at Bach Ma National Park (Table 04; figure 04). Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, and Poaceae families have largest number of tree species used by P. nemaeus (4 species). This was followed

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by Sapindaceae (3 species). Anacardiaceae, Clusiaceae, Dilleniaceae, Fagaceae, and Meliaceae families contributed two species to the food list. The rest was eaten only one species by P. nemaeus. Table 04. List of food plant and plant part eaten by P. nemaeus at BMNP TT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Latin name Saurauia tristyla Allospondias lakonensis Dracontomelum duperreanum Schefflera octophylla Canarium album Peltophorum tonkinense Garcilinia mangostana Garcilinia oblongfolia Ipomoea batatas Trichosanthes kirilowii Dillenia heterocephala Dillenia indica Prashorea stellata Baccaurea ramiflora Bischofia javanica Endospermum chinense Macaranga denticulata Castanea mollisima Castanop sisbosii Gnetum montarum Engelhardtia spicata Aglaia korthalsii Chisocheton paniculatus Adenanthera microperma Artocarpus rigidus Ficus glomerata Ficus hispida Ficus vasculosa Family Actinidiaceae Anacardiaceae Anacardiaceae Araliaceae Burseraceae Caesalpiniaceae Clusiaceae Clusiaceae Convolvulaceae Cucurbitaceae Dilleniaceae Dilleniaceae Dipterocapaceae Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae Fagaceae Fagaceae Gnetaceae Juglandaceae Meliaceae Meliaeae Mimosaceae Moraceae Moraceae Moraceae Moraceae Part eaten Leaves, fruits Leaves, fruits Leaves, fruits Leaves Leaves, fruits Fruits, flowers Leaves Leaves, buds Leaves Leaves, buds, fruits Fruits Leaves, fruits Leaves, buds Leaves, fruits Leaves, fruits Fruits Leaves Fruits Fruits Fruits Leaves Leaves Leaves, fruits Leaves, flowers Leaves, buds, fruits Leaves, fruits Fruits, buds Leaves, fruits

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TT 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

Latin name Musa cocinea Eugenia brachiata Averrhoa carambola Bambusa spinosa Dendrocalmus pattelaris Neohouzean dullosa Thysanoloena maxima Euphoria longana Mischocarpus sundaicus Nephelium chryseum Madhuca pasquieri Scaphium macropodum Grewia paniculata
Tiliaceae Sterculiaceae Sapotaceae Oxalidaceae Myrtaceae Musaceae Mimosaceae Juglandaceae Gnetaceae Dipterocapaceae Cucurbitaceae

Family Musaceae Myrtaceae Oxalidaceae Poaceae Poaceae Poaceae Poaceae Sapindaceae Sapindaceae Sapindaceae Sapotaceae Sterculiaceae Tiliaceae

Part eaten Leaves, fruits Fruits Fruits, Flowers Bamboo shoot Bamboo shoot Bamboo shoot Flower buds Fruits Leaves Fruits Fruits Leaves Fruits

Family name

Convolvulaceae Caesalpiniaceae Burseraceae Araliaceae Actinidiaceae Meliaceae Fagaceae Dilleniaceae Clusiaceae Anacardiaceae Sapindaceae Poaceae Moraceae Euphorbiaceae

0.5

1.5

2 2.5 Species numbers

3.5

4.5

Figure 04. Tree families eaten by P. nemaeus in Bach Ma National Park

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4.2. Food items P. nemaeus were observed feeding on variety of food items including leaves, buds,

flower buds, flowers, fruits, and bamboo shoots (Table 04). The proportion of tree species used by P. nemaecus according to food items is shown in figure 05. Fruiting trees appeared to be preferred food trees of the langurs, contributing the largest proportion to the total food list (26 species, 63.41%). This was followed by trees producing leaves (24 species, 58.54%); buds (5 species, 12.20%). Trees producing flowers and bamboo shoots were made up an equal proportion of food trees in the food list (3 species, 7.32%). Only one tree species producing flower buds used by the langurs (2.44%).
Species eaten
32 28 24 20 16 12 8 4 0 Leaves Series1 24 Buds 5 Flower buds 1 Flowers 3 Fruits 26 Bamboo shoots 3

Items

Figure 05. Percent of tree species eaten by P. nemaeus according to plant parts

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Faeces, feeding signs of P. nemaeus in research sites 4. Some charecteristics of forests where the P. nemaeus distributes: At each site where Red-shanked douc langur distributes, we made investigation in 2 sample plots with the same forest status, each sample plot covers an area of 1,000m2, the total area investigated is 0.8ha. In each sample plot, trees with diameter 6cm were measured and counted. The results are indicated in the table below: Table 05. Charecteristic of forest status where Red-shanked douc langur distributes Forest status Sample plot 1 IIIA1 2 TB 3 IIIA2 4 TB 5 IIIA3 6 TB 7 IIIB 8 TB N/a sample plot (tree) 27 28 27.5 20 32 26 30 28 29 34 32 33 N/ha (tree) 270 280 275 200 320 260 300 280 290 340 320 330 D1.3 (cm) 15.77 15.00 15.39 17.77 18.58 18.18 21.19 20.75 20.97 31.79 32.00 31.90 Hvn (m) 18.70 17.75 18.23 19.65 19.75 19.70 20.60 20.15 20.38 22.13 24.10 23.12

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The data above indicate that sample plots in forest status IIIB have the highest value of number D1.3 and Hvn, sample plot 1 and 2 have the lowest average value of diameter and hight of trees. The density of trees with high canopy aslo varies according to forest status, the highest density is in forest status IIIB and lowest density is in forest status IIIA2. The result of investigations and interviews show that the P.nemaues lives and feeds on many different forest statuses. However, it only occasionally feeds on forest status IIIA1 because of the poor forest habitat with forest structure broken down completely, the cover level is <0.3 with some poor quanlity plants, and many vines and bushes. Most of the time, the species lives and feeds in forest status IIIA2 (restoration forest habitat with immature trees being able to become mature trees and form capony in the future), IIIA3 (forest with rather high timber reserve, usable, qu n th tng i khp kn) IIIB (forests with relatively high timber reserve,many trees with diameter > 40cm) Especially, areas of CHO DEN (Prashorea stellata) forests which have a very steep terrain with many rock walls, and CHO DEN (Prashorea stellata) population distributing almost homogeneously with dense branches and not many interlacing vines are the most favourite areas of P. nemaues. Although sleeping sites of these P. nemaeus groups have not been found, CHO DEN (Prashorea stellata) forests are supposed to be the sleeping sites chosen by these groups. Thus, a plan to monitor this area closely needs to be made urgently. 5. Plant species composition in areas where the P. nemaeus distributes Based on study results of plant species composition in areas where the P. nemaeus distributes in Bach Ma National Park, plant divisions are surveyed in the table below: Table 06: The distribution of taxon in plant divisions Division Lycopodiophyta Polypodiophyta Pinophyta Magnoliophyta Total number of familia 1 4 3 17 25 number of genuses 1 3 5 30 39 number of species 1 6 5 39 51 percentage of species 2 12 10 76 100

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Percentage of plant species in divisions is indicated clearer in figure 06:

2%

12% 10%

Thng t (Lycopodiophyta)

76%

Dng X (Polypodiophyta) Thng (Pinophyta) Ng c lan (Magnoliophyta)

Figure 06: percentage of plant divisions It can be realized that plant species composition in areas where the P. nemaeus distributes mainly belongs to Ngoc lan division (39 species, 76% of the total species of divisions). Magnoliophyta takes the highest percentage in number of familia and species in these areas since this is a division with huge range of favorite trees used for food by the P. nemaeus. 6. Threats Three main threats to P. nemaeus were identified during the study. They are hunting, habitat destruction and tourism. Hunting: Traps are considered the most currently serious threat to the primates and other wildlife in the areas surveyed. A variety of traps were widely seen during the surveys, especially in CHO DEN (Prashorea stellata) forests. The most common traps used by local people are string traps that are able to capture birds, small and large mammals, especially primate species. Guns and hunting dogs did not be seen during the surveys. Habitat destruction: - Non-Timber Forest Products collection (NTFPs): Local people living in buffer zone often go to the forests to collect NTFPs such as woodfire, (Livistona bracteata) for roof, weaving, or sale, Rattan (Calamus spp.) for household use, making handcraft items, or

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sale, Wild broom (Thysanoloena maxima) for household use and sale . These activities directly affect P. nemaeus behavior. For example, the langurs often seen feeding on flower buds of Thysanoloena maxima, but this species was widely exploited by local people for household use and sale. - Illegal logging: In general, illegal logging has been successfully controlled by forest rangers and is not considered as a major threat to the langurs in the areas surveyed. However, there are still some local people living in buffer zone are seen exploiting a certain kind of tree species for selling such as Hopea siamensis, Prashorea stellata, Afzelia xylocarpa during non-crop season. This may partly influence on the langurs habitat integrity. Tourism: Tourist activities have recently been paid attention and developed in Bach Ma National Park. Infrustructures such as roads, hotels, guest houses are often contructed within the langurs known habitats. These activities may influence on normal behavior of populations of P. nemaecus such as noises from tourists. However, based on recent observations, the langurs appeared to be familiar with the presence of tourists and the noises. For example, the groups of P. nemaeus were seen at close distance to the hotels and tourist roads.

DISCUSSION 1. Population status Arcording to Nadler (2003), in the observations in areas previous to the spraying of Agent Orange, Osgood (1932) reported groups of 30 to 50 individuals of Red-shanked douc langur in Bach Ma National Park. In contrast, Lippold (1995b) found group-sizes of no more than 20 at Bach Ma. One group of 3 to 4 Red-shanked douc langurs was seen by Eames & Robson (1993) in January 1990 in secondary forest during a primate survey in southern Vietnam. The same team observed one single male in February 1990 in primary forest at an altitude of 700 m. Lippold (1995a) reported sightings of three groups of 5, 15 and 20 individuals in primary and secondary forest during surveys conducted in 1994 and 1995. In "Preliminaly study on ecology and behaviour of the Red shanked douc langur in Bach Ma National Park", Huynh Van Keo and Van Ngoc Thinh (1998) reported two sightings by park forest guards before September 1994 and in August 1996 of groups with

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about 5 and 10-15 animals. In May 1997, Matsumura discovered a group of about 5 to 7 individuals (Huynh Van Keo & Van Ngoc Thinh, 1998). The current population is not comparable to previous reports (table 07). In comparison with the population of the species before the war, the population of P. nemaues in Bach Ma National Park decreased remarkable (estimated to decline a half compared to the report of Osgood (1932). However, in comparison with investigation of Lippold and (1995a) and Huynh Van Keo and Van Ngoc Thinh (1998), the population of the P. nenameus does not have much change along with the time. In this research, we found out an animal which was rescued and released to the forest by rangers in 2007. Nevertheless, if comparing in population sizes, we could recognize that from 1995 till now, the population sizes has declined from 40 animals (1995) to 30 animals (1998) and only 26 animals now. Moreover, we also realized that in the group of 10-12 animals, there was a mother Langur carried an infant. This showed that, the number of individuals decreasing is more than that because there had been adults replaced by infants. Table 07. Comparision of current population size of P. nemaeus with previous reports No Sites Population size Number of groups observed ? 1 1 3 ? 1 3 Lippold, 1995a Lippold, 1995b Matsumura, 1997 Huynh Van Keo and Van Ngoc Thinh, 1998 7 Bach Ma 22-26 4 This study References

1 2

Bach Ma Bach Ma

30-50 3-4 1

Osgood, 1932 Eames & Robson, 1993

3 4 5 6

Bach Ma Bach Ma Bach Ma Bach Ma

40 20 5-7 30

2. Distribution

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The beautiful red-shanked douc langur is only found in north and central Vietnam and Laos. Its habitat is in the lowland to montane primary and secondary rainforest where it lives in the mid to upper levels of the canopy (Camille Dorian, 2002). In Vietnam the douc langur occurs primarily below 1500 meters (Eames and Robson, 1993). In Bach Ma National Park, P. nemaeus is often found in primary and secondary tropical broadleaf evergreen rain forest habitats below 1.500 m above sea level. This supports Eames and Robson (1993)s findings. A possible explanation for these similarities is that most langurs feeding trees are widely distributed below 1.500 m above sea level. They include Parasorea stellata, Garcilinia oblongfolia, Bischofia javanica, Endospermum chinense, Peltophorum tonkinense, Canarium album, Nephelium chryseum, Schefflera octophylla, Dendrocalmus patellaris, Neohouzean dullosa, Ficus hispida. Further, populations of P. nemaeus are frequently seen in Prashorea stellata forests that have been reported by Huynh Van Keo and Van Ngoc Thinh (1998). 3. Diet Table 08. Comparision of tree species and families eaten by P. nemaeus between current study and previous reports Refferences Pham (1993) This study No. of family 22 25 (%) 100 95.45 No. Of species 49 41 (%) 100 65.31

The current food list recorded is less than Pham (1993)s finding in terms of number of tree species and families eaten by P. nemaeus (table 07). The possibility for this difference is Pham (1993) appeared to report food list for the whole Vietnam populations of P. nemaeus whereas this study just focuses on Bach Ma National Park site. One of the most important finding is we add fifteen new tree species used by P. nemaeus to the existing food list. They are Saurauia tristyla, Schefflera octophylla, Ipomoea batatas, Trichosanthes kirilowii, Dillenia indica, Prashorea stellata, Baccaurea ramiflora, Bischofia javanica, Macaranga denticulate, Engelhardtia spicata, Aglaia korthalsii, Artocarpus rigidus, Thysanoloena maxima, Mischocarpus sundaicus, and Scaphium macropodum. Thysanoloena maxima appeared to be heavily exploited by the langurs in April coincide with when this tree flowering.

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P. nemaeus in Bach Ma appeared to exploit the same food items as in other areas. They ate leaves, buds, flowers and flower buds, fruits, young stems, and bamboo shoots (Pham, 1993; Wisconsin, 2002). However, the proportion of food items in the diet of P. nemaeus in Bach Ma is different from that in previous reports. Wisconsin (2002) reported that Douc langurs diet comprises mainly leaves (82%) while populations of P. nemaeus at Bach Ma consumed more fruits than any other types of food. The difference may be a result of differences in methodology and study season. Long-term phenological monitoring in the study area may be an answer for the difference. 4. Threats Hunting and habitat destruction have been recognized as the major threats to the wild populations of P. nemaeus (Nadler et al., 2004; Timmins and Duckworth, 1999). In Bach Ma, although illegal logging and NTFPs collection are going on (Gilmour and Nguyen Van San, 1999), these activities just operate at small scales and are widely controlled by National Park staffs, indicating that habitat destruction may have little impact on the populations of P. nemaeus at Bach Ma. Currently, traps and tourist activities are identified as the major threat to the langurs in Bach Ma. The degree of impact of these activities on the populations of P. nemaeus has not been assessed yet, future research should look at how impact of tourist activities on the langurs are and what types of traps do the local people use to capture primates as well as wildlife in general.

TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS We instructed a senior student to do research with the topic "Distribution, population status and ecology of P. nemaeus in Bach Ma national Park" and he greatly got the best mark (10/10). Three field training courses were be organized to improve conservation awareness of the BNP staffs, students of Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, and local people in endangered primate species survey and monitoring. Currently,we are guiding a senior student to do research on "Distribution, population status, ecology and conservation of P. nemaeus in Bach Ma national Park" with the research area expanded wider in comparison to previous research areas.

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Training for students in the field

Training for local people RECOMMENDATIONS 1) Strengthening protection of the species and habitat - Plan for tightly monitoring of the areas where the P. nemaeus distributes, especially the areas inside and around CHO DEN (Prashorea stellata) forest. - Strengthen investigation, preventing local people in the buffer zone from trapping in the forest. Penalize local people who break the law. Remove traps set in the forest. - Monitor tightly activities of local people to exploit NTFPs; limit local people exploit NTFPs for food in the distribution sites of the P. nemaeus. - Manage tightly eco-tourism activities; forbid tourists make noises that impact on the species.

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2) Doing more researches in the species - Extend the research scale to supplement data of distribution and population sizes of the species in different points of time in a year. - Carry out more researches in food plants in different seasons of a year. 3) Improve communities' awareness - Propagandize law of forest protection and wildlife protection for local people. - Organize courses about the important role of the species as well as the need to protect the species for local people.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT I would like to thank to Bach Ma National Park for the support and permission. Special thanks to forest rangers for their dedicated participation and assistance. Thanks to Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry for giving time and supporting field equipment to conduct this study. We also thank to Vietnam Forestry University for sending experts to conduct this study. Thanks to People's Trust for Endangered Species for financial support.

REFERENCES Camille Dorian, 2002. Mokeys of Asia: The Endangered Douc Langur. Mokey Matters Website. Eames, J. C., and Robson, C. R., 1993. Threatened primates in southern Vietnam. Oryx 27: 146-154. Gilmour, D. A. and Nguyen Van San, 1999. Buffer zone management in Vietnam. Hanoi: IUCN Vietnam. Ha Thang Long and Le Thien Duc, 2001. Primate Survey Report with special emphasis of the Blackshanked Douc langurs (Pygathrix nigripes) in Binh Phuoc and Dak Lak Provinces, South Vietnam. Unpublished report Frankfurt Zoological Society. Huynh Van Keo and Van Ngoc Thinh, 1998. The Status of Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) and some Preliminary Results of Wildlife Conservation in Bach Ma

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National Park. Proceedings Workshop on a Conservation Action Plan for the Primates of Vietnam. Hanoi. Huynh Van Keo and Van Ngoc Thinh, 2002. Preliminaly study on ecology and behaviour of the Red shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus) in Bach Ma National Park and suggestions for possible ways of protection. Bach Ma National Park and Nagao Natural Environment Foundation. Lippold, L. K., 1995. Distribution and conservation of the Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) in Vietnam. In: Xia Wuping and Zhang Yongsu (eds.) Primate Research and Conservation. China Forestry, Beijing. Lippold, L. K., and Vu Ngoc Thanh. 1995. Douc langur variety in the central highlands of Vietnam. Asian Primates 5(1-2): 6-8. Mittermeier, R.A. & D.L. Cheney. 1987. Conservation of primates and their habitats, pages 477-490 in B.B. Smuts, D.L. Cheney, R.M. Seyfarth, R.W. Wrangham, & T.T. Struhsaker (eds). Primate Societies, University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Pham, N. 1993. First results on the diet of the red-shanked douc langur, Pygathrix nemaeus. Australian Primatology. Vol. 8, 5-6. Tilo Nadler, Frank Momberg, Nguyen Xuan Dang, Nicolas Lormee, 2003. Vietnam Primate conservation status review 2002 - Part 2: Leaf Monkeys. Frankfurt Zoological Society, Cuc Phuong National Park Conservation Program, Fauna & Flora International, Vietnam Program. Hanoi. Wisconsin Primate Research Center, 30 October, 2002. Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) (On-line). Accessed June 4, 2003 at

http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/factsheets/pygathrix_nemaeus.htm

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