Dong Nai(VNA) – The Forest Ranger Sub-department of southern Dong Nai province hascompleted a project to protect the black-shanked douc langurs found recently onChua Chan mountain, in Xuan Loc district.

The project, which will be submitted to the People’s Committee for approval,aims to create a favourable habitat and feeding area for the langurs,scientifically known as Pygathrix nigripes, an endangered species to help them growin number.

Functional agencieswill minimize human presence in the langur-inhabited area of around 24 hectaresand take measures to prevent illegal hunting as well as communicate to help thecommunity understanding the mission of protecting wild animals.

In June, tens of black-shanked douc langurs have been spotted in Chua Chan mountainin Suoi Cat commune of Xuan Loc district, by the forest protection division ofXuan Loc district and Long Khanh township.

Ton Ha Quoc Dung,deputy head of the division, said there are two herds with nearly 20 langursliving at about 300 metres up Chua Chan mountain. Another herd of langurs wasspotted at about 600 metres up the mountain.

Notably, there arepregnant and baby langurs in all the three herds, he said, adding that this isthe first time his forest protection division has discovered such a largenumber of langurs in Chua Chan mountain.

Black-shanked douclangurs are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation ofNature and Natural Resources (IUCN). They are found to be indigenous to northeastern Cambodia and southern Vietnam.

 The Prime Minister has recently issuedDecision 628 requesting localities and sectors to urgently deploy plans topreserve primate species in the country.-VNA