A northern white-cheeked gibbon

The population of 455 critically endangered northern white-cheeked gibbons was found living at high altitudes and far from human settlements near the border with Laos, Conservation International (CI) said.

Reportedly, this community of gibbons represents two thirds of the total gibbon population in the country and it is the only species still existing worldwide.

CI President, Dr Russell Mittermeier said: “This is an extraordinarily significant discovery and Pu Mat national park will be a safe habitat for this rare species.”

White-cheeked gibbon numbers are thought to have reduced more than 80 percent over the last 45 years and have been long-listed in the Red Book of Vietnam, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

Besides, CI said they plans to build a road through Pu Mat area to increase patrols on the Vietnam-Laos border in an effort to better protect the rare species.

Source: VnExpress

Translated by Nguyen Thao