According to domestic ecologists, Da Nang’s Son Tra Peninsula is now home to 408 species of birds and animals.  Of these, 15 are endangered species, including the red-shanked douc langur.

Red-shanked douc langurs

Thanks to its unique beauty with 5 impressive colours, the red-shanked douc langur has been recognised by the Wildlife at Risk international organisation as the ‘Queen’ of the primate species.  It belongs to Group IIB which is rare animals restricted from being held in captivity, hunted, traded or killed.

Mr Tran Huu Vy, Director of the Nuoc Viet Xanh (Green Viet Nam) non-governmental organisation, said that the Son Tra Peninsula is home to around 530 red-shanked douc langurs, which accounts for 83% of the world total of this primate species.  He highlighted, however, that the peninsula has seen a significant decrease in the number of these animals due to recent illegal hunting and forest destruction activities.

In an effort to protect the ‘Queen’ of the primate species, numerous meaningful activities have been carried out in the city over recent years to raise public awareness about preserving and promoting the sustainable development of the Son Tra Natural Conservation Area. 

In addition, the city has cooperated with domestic and foreign organisations to conduct scientific research on the red-shanked douc langurs.  The local authorities have made plans for developing ecotourism on the peninsula to ensure both sustainable tourism development and protection of the langurs.

Early in 2016, the city’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment asked for the municipal government’s approval to make a master plan for biodiversity conservation over the 2016 - 2025 period with a vision to 2040. 

Ms Le Thi Trang, Deputy Director of the Nuoc Viet Xanh, remarked that her organisation would make every effort to appeal for even more local government departments, agencies, businesses and citizens to protect the red-shanked douc langurs in the coming time. 

In addition, an interdisciplinary inspection team was established in early 2016.  The team members are forest rangers, the management board of the Son Tra Peninsula, and the Tho Quang Ward authorities in Son Tra District.  They take responsibility for conducting day and night patrols in order to stop illegal forest destruction and hunting activities.