People give the gibbon to the Centre for Rescue, Conservation, and Development of Creatures at Cúc Phương National Park. — Photo courtesy of Cúc Phương National Park

NINH BÌNH — Cúc Phương National Park has successfully rescued an extremely rare gibbon from people in Hải Phòng.

According to Lương Văn Thế, a resident of the Ngự Hàm dike area in Hải An District, Hải Phòng City, he discovered a gibbon that was lost in the lagoon near his home. His family captured the gibbon and contacted the Centre for Rescue, Conservation, and Development of Creatures at Cúc Phương National Park to hand it over.

On May 7th, the Centre for Rescue, Conservation, and Development of Creatures, in coordination with the Hải Phòng Forest Protection Department, verified and safely rescued the gibbon. Upon initial inspection, it was identified as a reddish-cheeked black gibbon (Nomascus - sp), an animal listed under Group IB of the endangered and rare forest animals in accordance with Decree 84/2021/NĐ-CP of the government.

After undergoing thorough medical examination and necessary procedures, the gibbon was transported to Cúc Phương National Park, where it will receive proper care and conservation efforts.

Reddish-cheeked black gibbon (Nomascus - sp), an animal listed under Group IB of the endangered and rare forest animals in accordance with Decree 84/2021/NĐ-CP of the government. — Photo courtesy of Cúc Phương National Park

Previously, on April 2, 2024, Cúc Phương National Park had also rescued a gibbon from Hải Phòng. Therefore, within a short period, two extremely rare gibbon individuals were rescued and brought to Cúc Phương for care and nurturing, bringing the total number of gibbons being raised, cared for, and preserved at the park to 29 individuals.

The Nomascus – sp is a forest animal strictly protected from any form of exploitation, hunting, and trade. In the wild, the gibbon population is seriously declining due to hunting activities and habitat loss. Currently, many organisations and individuals have become aware of wildlife conservation programmes such as the rescue and conservation programmes at Cúc Phương National Park. They have proactively contacted the park to hand over animals, which is a positive sign that brings joy to many wild animals. It helps ensure better care for the animals in accordance with procedures and offers them the opportunity to return to the wild.

The "Conservation Programme for Việt Nam's Rare Primates at Cúc Phương National Park" was established in 1993 as a cooperative project between Cúc Phương National Park, the Frankfurt Zoological Society, and Leipzig Zoo of Germany.

Currently, the programme is focused on conserving over 180 individuals of 14 rare species and subspecies of primates in Việt Nam. It has successfully bred 12 species, resulting in a total of 382 individuals, including three species that were bred in captivity for the first time in the world. Furthermore, 154 individuals have been released back into the wild, where they have integrated well into their natural environment.

Experts consider the primate rescue unit in Cúc Phương National Park as the most successful in Southeast Asia. VNS