DA NANG COMMUNITY ACTIONS FOR PROTECTING RED-SHANKED DOUC LANGUR
April 24, 2016, advertising panels at 5 bus stops start displaying the image of the Red-shanked douc langur, as considered the icon of biodiversity of Da Nang city, in order to call for protecting the species.
The Red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra has been considered and promoted as the icon of biodiversity by Da Nang people. Especially after the case that the douc’s home in Son Tra peninsula has signed of being destroyed after Tet Holiday, Da Nang citizens have paid more attention to this species and its role in the development of the city. Up till now, there have been more organizations, enterprises, and individuals raised their voice in protecting the Red-shanked douc langur in Da Nang city.
Aiming to celebrate the World Biodiversity Day on May 22nd, Thien Bach Minh JSC, which owned more than 70 bus stops in Da Nang city for lease, has been initiated in calling people to protect the Red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra peninsula. Today on April 24, 2016, they start displaying the Red-shanked douc’s images at firstly 5 bus stops at crowded places with an attractive message “Together we can save the Red-shanked douc”.
From now on, Da Nang people and visitors can enjoy beautiful pictures taken by famous photographers Nguyen Truong Sinh, the famous nature photographer, and Cyril Russo, a photographer from France, at following places: Bach Dang Street, Quang Trung Street, City Park 29/3, Le Duan Street and Nui Thanh Street. Thien Bach Minh Company offered a totally free cost for displaying these panels and will develop to other bus stops next week.
With the information in the panel, Da Nang people can reach interesting facts about the Red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra peninsula such as “The Red-shanked douc langur was recognized as the queen of primates with 5 colors on their body. In 2016, scientists agreed to raise up the conservation level of this species from Endangered (EN) to Critical endangered (CR) in IUCN Red List and need to be protected strictly. In Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang, there are about 300 individuals of this species left, with some interesting facts: Live in a family with a unit of 5-7 individuals and only one adult male in each family; They belong to the leaf-monkey group with main food ingredient is young leave (80-90%) and flower, young fruit, and bark.”
Le Thi Trang, Vice Director of GreenViet, said: “After 3 years implementing raising awareness programs of the local community about saving the Red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra Peninsula, GreenViet believed that it is the time for Da Nang people to take actions to protect their natural resources. Raising participation of local people, local authorities, and enterprises to save the Red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra is GreenViet’s first priority in order to raise all resources in the community to protect their natural resources“.
With the meaning of “Vietnamese save Vietnam natural resources” that GreenViet focuses on, in this April and May, a range of conservation activities to call for protecting the Red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra would be launched to celebrate important days. The most interesting event will be a Red-shanked douc’s exhibition during May 17-22 organized by Union of Literature and Arts Association and GreenViet, which end with a talk show to raise opinions of saving the Son Tra doucs. A campaign named “Clean for Son Tra” organized by Son Tra Management Board and a series of “I Love Son Tra Journey” has been conducting every Sunday afternoon organized by GreenViet.
Da Nang City is leading to the International Biodiversity Day with range of meaningful activities, which contribute to promote the Red-shanked douc langur soonly become the icon of biodiversity of Da Nang City.
