LookAtVietnam – More than 30 groups of Siki gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys siki) have been discovered in U Bo in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, said the park’s Scientific and Rescue Centre on March 3.

A Siki gibbon (photo: wildlifeatrisk.org).

The discovery is the result of surveys taken by Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Fauna and Flora International (FFI) in the U Bo area. According to experts, there are over 100 individual gibbons living within an area of 30sq.km in U Bo, the highest density in Vietnam.

Experts have also found a community of Red-shanked Douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) totalling over 60 heads in the U Bo area.

Siki gibbons and red-shanked doucs are two rare species of primate ranked E level (endangered) in Vietnam’s and the world’s red books.

The discovery is the result of an FFI-funded project to raise the scientific research ability of staff at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and to survey the community of Siki gibbons.

V.Giang