Conservation Efforts for the Grey-Shanked Douc at Song Thanh National Park, Quang Nam Province
Within the framework of the project “Conserving the Grey-Shanked Douc at Song Thanh National Park,” funded by WWF-Vietnam, GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Center (GreenViet) and the Song Thanh National Park Management Board held a workshop on October 10, 2024. This workshop, titled “Consultation on the Conservation of the Grey-Shanked Douc at Song Thanh National Park,” was attended by over 40 delegates, including representatives from governmental agencies, forest management units, conservation experts, and community members from buffer zones.
Mr. Dinh Van Hong, Director of Song Thanh National Park Management Board, highlighted, “Song Thanh National Park encompasses a core area of 76,593 hectares across 12 communes in Nam Giang and Phuoc Son districts of Quang Nam Province. The park, which borders multiple reserves and national parks along the Truong Son range and forms a boundary with Laos, offers a rich array of habitats across diverse ecosystems, supporting rare and valuable species of flora and fauna.”
Song Thanh National Park is recognized for its high biodiversity within the Truong Son range. Notably, it provides a habitat for rare species such as the Grey-Shanked Douc (Pygathryx cinerea), an endemic primate species with a limited distribution in Vietnam. Supported by the “Grey-Shanked Douc Conservation Project,” the Park Management Board and GreenViet have implemented crucial activities, including surveys on species distribution, community awareness interviews, development of educational materials, and creation of a long-term species conservation plan for Song Thanh.
From January to August 2024, GreenViet and the Park Management Board conducted six field surveys across eight areas in the communes of Ta Po, Cha Val, and Ta Bhing (Nam Giang district), and Phuoc Nang, Phuoc My, and Phuoc Cong (Phuoc Son district). The surveys covered 95 routes totaling 979.5 km and recorded 14 groups with 95 individual Grey-Shanked Doucs, through the collective effort of GreenViet and Song Thanh staff over 391 workdays.
Aggregated data from 2022 to 2024 have updated the Grey-Shanked Douc distribution map, identifying 36 recorded points across the park, with key areas including the forests of Ta Po, Ta Bhing, Dak Pring, Phuoc Nang, and Phuoc Cong.
Mr. Hoang Quoc Huy, head of the research team, emphasized, “These preliminary findings on the Grey-Shanked Douc’s distribution at Song Thanh National Park are vital data for the park’s management board to develop effective and sustainable conservation strategies.”
With project support, a draft Conservation Plan for the Grey-Shanked Douc (2025-2030) was formulated and discussed at the workshop. The plan’s main objectives focus on survey and monitoring activities, specifically: documenting the species’ distribution in under-studied areas, annual population monitoring, enhancing forest patrols and law enforcement in significant habitats, community awareness initiatives, and habitat restoration.
During the workshop, Mr. Hoang Van Mat, representing the Central VFBC Project, suggested, “With thorough research, Song Thanh National Park could host one of the largest populations of Grey-Shanked Doucs in Vietnam. Specific objectives and action plans are essential for studying and conserving this rare primate in the park.”
The draft plan also outlines practical measures for implementation, specifying resource allocation, monitoring methods, and evaluation criteria. Key indicators to assess annual progress include the stability of the Grey-Shanked Douc population, forest habitat quality, management efficacy, and community awareness improvements.
Mr. Tao Quy Tam, Deputy Director of the Song Thanh National Park Management Board, confirmed that the board would consider feedback from delegates and consult experts to refine the plan, with the goal of ensuring sustainable conservation of the Grey-Shanked Douc at Song Thanh National Park. Mr. Tam also expressed hope for additional technical and financial support from domestic and international conservation organizations to facilitate effective conservation efforts.
The “Conservation of the Grey-Shanked Douc at Song Thanh National Park” project is funded by the Species Conservation Fund (SCF) under the Biodiversity Conservation Component of the Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Project (VFBC), supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Approved by the People’s Committee of Quang Nam Province in Decision No. 2520/QĐ-UBND dated November 21, 2023, the project aims to contribute to sustainable conservation of the Grey-Shanked Douc population while supporting capacity building for forest management and protection at Song Thanh National Park. Key project activities include: (i) mapping distribution areas; (ii) developing a five-year conservation plan; (iii) enhancing the investigative and monitoring skills of Song Thanh staff; and (iv) raising awareness among buffer zone communities. GreenViet and Song Thanh National Park jointly implemented the project from November 2023 to October 2024.
