CONSERVING DOUC LANGURS IN CHU MOM RAY NATIONAL PARK: FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION

The red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) and the grey-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix cinerea) are among Southeast Asia’s most threatened primate species, found primarily in forest ecosystems along the Annamite Range and extending into Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Chu Mom Ray National Park (Quang Ngai Province) is one of the rare protected areas where both species have been recorded. Despite this significance, conservation efforts focusing specifically on these douc langurs have, for many years, remained limited.

from left to right

Picture 1: Installation of communication signboards at the Rong house in Sa Thay commune.

Picture 2: Installation of communication signboards at the Rong house in Ro Koi commune.

Picture 3: Installation of communication signboards at the Rong house in Mo Rai commune.

©CCD/2026

As populations of both red-shanked and grey-shanked douc langurs continue to decline, with hunting, snaring, and wildlife exploitation posing persistent threats, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in partnership with Chu Mom Ray National Park, has stepped up conservation action since late 2025. Key activities include the installation of educational information boards and the distribution of T-shirts bearing douc conservation messages in residential communities located within the Park’s core zone. By integrating conservation messages into everyday communal spaces, the initiative seeks to raise awareness of the ecological importance of these species, strengthen understanding of relevant wildlife protection laws, and encourage local communities to take pride in the rich biodiversity of Chu Mom Ray National Park. These efforts strongly reflect the core values supported by the The Rufford Foundation, the project’s donor and long-standing partner.

from left to right

Picture 4: Gifting T-shirts with douc langurs conservation message to the villagers.

Picture 5: For ethnic groups in the Central Highlands, the rong house lies at the heart of community gatherings, cultural traditions, and spiritual life.

©CCD/2026

Alongside awareness-raising activities, CCD has conducted—and continues to undertake—systematic field surveys and monitoring to improve knowledge of population status, ecological traits, and habitat changes affecting the two douc species. The data collected will be shared with Chu Mom Ray National Park to inform adaptive management and support the development of effective, long-term conservation strategies.

Further conservation activities for douc langurs at Chu Mom Ray National Park will be implemented in the coming period—stay tuned for updates from CCD.