Rangers in Thừa Thiên-Huế Province’s preventive forest have discovered a population of some 78 red-shanked doucs (Pygathrix nemaeus), listed as endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Red-shanked doucs found in Huế forest. — Photo nongnghiep.vn
According to Trần Văn Lộc, director of the North Hải Vân preventive forest unit, his rangers, at first, discovered a group of eight mammals and later found 70 other creatures following their investigation trips into the forest.
The unit is preparing a plan for protecting the animal in the 3,258ha forest. The forest is part of the Hải Vân Mountain, which serves as a landmark, separating the province and neighbouring Đà Nẵng City.
The forest is highly vulnerable due to traffic, including the Hải Vân Tunnel roadway and several smaller tunnels used by the railways. Industrial development by Đà Nẵng on the mountain’s southern side has also threatened the habitat of the animals.
During the summer, the forest is prone to fires, which are hard to extinguish due to the mountainous topography.