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The Center for Conservation of Nature and Development (CCD) is implementing a program to monitor and conserve endangered primate species in Vietnam. As an important part of the program, the research and the monitoring activities of Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) in Kim Bang forest, Ha Nam province is one of the key operations. The limestone forest ecosystem of Kim Bang district, Ha Nam province is home to the world’s second most important Delacour’s langur population. In which, the studies of CCD and other organizations had confirmed a population 100 individuals. As the typical characteristic limestone terrain, surface water is extremely rare which significantly limits study and monitoring effort for the langur in Kim Bang forest. To improve the effective of monitoring effort, CCD and the Kim Bang Protected Department brought and installed water tanks in Kim Bang forest then community monitoring group could stay in the forest longer, especially in the dry season. The water tanks with capacity of 500L to 2,500L were installed in several locations in the forest to store rainwater then monitoring group could set their camp nearby to conduct longer monitoring and more effectively protection to secure the langur and their habitat. The Center for Nature Conservation and Development is working closely with Ha Nam Forest Protection Department (FPD) and local communities in Kim Bang and Kim Boi (Hoa Binh), and other conservation partners to strengthen the protection and raising public’s awareness of the Delacour’s langur. The activities help to remove threats and help the recovery of the langur populations in Kim Bang and the langur’s greater landscape.

On 2020 September 25, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) in collaboration with Center for Community and Environment Initiative Development (C&E) successfully organized a field trip to Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve. The activity is part of the training on “Community-based natural resource conservation and benefit-sharing in protected areas and national parks in Vietnam”. There were 40 young lecturers from development organizations and universities such as Hanoi National University, Hue University, Nha Trang University, Yersin University and Hoa Sen University joined the training. At the reserve, CCD shared lesson learnt between development and conservation in some specific protected areas include the specific case in Van Long. CCD also shared some success stories on balancing local livelihood and forest protection and natural resource management case study with a reference to community engagement. Representative from Van Long Nature Reserve share their conservation story and the success and disadvantages of the community-based tourism from different angles. Participant also had chance to witness the unique wetland and limestone landscape of Van Long, include observing migratory and waterbirds and the critically endangered Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) that is one of 25 world’s most endangered primate in their natural forest on limestone. The Center for Nature Conservation and Development is maintaining a robust program to protect the critically endangered langur and other threatened species of Vietnam’s flora and fauna through community-based conservation and improving local stakeholders capacity. In addition to capacity building, CCD also implement a strong conservation communication programs to raise public’s understand and perception on wildlife and nature conservation.

Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is implementing a program to support protection and restoration efforts of wild endangered species. CCD priorities the strengthening of research, monitoring and law enforcement to effectively prevent illegal hunting, exploitation and trade of wild plants and animals of Vietnam and other countries being illegally transported and traded in Vietnam. Following the research on distribution and natural regeneration assessment of Dalbergia cochinchinensis and Dalbergia oliveri in Kon Tum and Binh Phuoc provinces which were conducted during March and April, the similar research was implemented in Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai province) and Yok Don National Park (Dak Lak province) in May and early Jun of 2020. The survey results in the Southern of Cat Tien National Park reveal that there is only Vietnamese rosewood (Dalbergia oliveri) distributed naturally with an average density of trees whose diameter at breast height (DBH) from 6cm and above is approximately 6,8 trees/ha, average density of seedlings is 12,3 individuals/ha. Among 1,544 seedlings were recorded in all survey transects, the potential seedlings accounting for 39.31% while regeneration rate from seeds is 88.34%. The high regeneration rate from seeds indicates the potential for genetic diversity in the population and becomes an advantage for long-term conservation and restoration. D. oliveri was recorded in three types of forest in Cat Tien National Park consists of evergreen broad-leaf forest; semi-deciduous forest dominated by Lagerstroemia; bamboo-tree mixed forest. This species is one of the dominant species that plays an important role in the canopy structure of habitats in study areas. In Yok Don National Park, Dalbergia cochinchinensis and D. oliveri were recorded in the same habitat. D. cochinchinensis currently distributes in some specific small areas in the park, trees’ density with DBH from 6cm and above is 0,7 tree/ha, density of seedlings is 4,3 individuals/ha. Of which shoot regeneration rate is 88.98%, regeneration rate from seeds is 11.02% and the potential seedlings accounting for 47.45%. Regarding to D. oliveri, the average density of trees (DBH>6cm) is 2,9 trees/ha, the average density of regenerated tree is 21,6 individuals/ha. Regenerated trees are mainly shoot regeneration growing after forest fire at the rate of 91.44% whereas regeneration rate from seed is only 8.56%. The non-potential seedlings were majority, accounting for 87.28%. However, Yok Don National Park is characterized by dry dipterocarp forest along with the intensive damages of forest fires in dry season that drives regenerated trees of Dalbergia difficult to grow into mature trees.

In the framework of the project “Restoration and conservation for degraded mangroves in Xuan Thuy National Park, Nam Dinh province”, in November 2019, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) with support from mangrove experts and Xuan Thuy NP implemented a study on mangrove degradation to select species to restore degraded areas Xuan Thuy National Park. The study implemented by establishing transects and sampling plots in the study areas. At least 3 transects were established, and 3 sampling plots (400m2 each) were setup in each transect. According to survey results, the key mangrove species communities, including: Aegiceras corniculata ( L.) Blanco – Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl.; Kandelia obovata Sheue, H.Y. Liu & J. Yong – Aegiceras corniculata (L.) Blanco; S. caseolaris (L.) Engl.; A. corniculata (L.) Blanco – K. obovata Sheue, HY Liu & J. Yong – Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh – S. caseolaris (L. ) Engl.; K. obovata Sheue, HY Liu & J. Yong – Rhizophora stylosa Griff. The results also indicated that approximately 7.5km of mangroves in Con Lu island were eroded by waves and 78.37 ha K. obovata Sheue, HY Liu & J. Yong – A. corniculata (L.) Blanco in the same island were degraded by pests and diseases on K. obovata trees. According to the study, two species of S. caseolaris (L.) Engl. and R. stylosa Griff also were recommended as key species to recover the degraded areas. The mangrove forest in Xuan Thuy National Park is the first Ramsar site in Vietnam and serves as key area for migratory birds and important prawning ground for fisheries. The mangrove is also a strategic coastal protection belt for Red River estuary that prevent intrusion of the seawater and protecting the sea dyke. More importantly, the mangrove is providing livelihoods for thousands of people in the buffer zone and it is an important ecotourism site in Nam Dinh province and the Red River Delta. However, due to the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, especially the impacts made by human such as over fishing and exploitation of aquatic resources made huge impact on mangroves. Also the changes in salinity and tidal are also seriously impact the mangrove as many area were degraded, many tidal areas where shorebird and migratory species are feeding now are converted into shrimp ponds, and intensive mussel farming areas. The conversion causing loss of habitats and feeding grounds of many endangered species such as the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus, the black-faced spoon-billed Platalea minor, Nordmann’s greenshank Tringa guttifer, Chinese egretEgretta eulophotes and many other threatened birds. CCD will continue to work with mangrove experts and Xuan Thuy National Park to pilot mangrove nursery and pilot the restoration planting for degraded area. In addition, CCD will continue its communication activities for local community to raise awareness and provide technical support on mangrove nursery and planting techniques, so that local community could engage and participating in mangrove forest conservation and restoration effort in Xuan Thuy National Park.

In August, 2020, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) in collaboration with Xuan Thuy National Park (NP) conducted community based training on mangrove management and protection. These activities were part of the project “Restoration and conservation for degraded mangroves in Xuan Thuy National Park, Nam Dinh province”. 30 participants from the Women’s Union, Red Cross of Giao An commune and staffs of Xuan Thuy National Park participated in the training. Trainer and forestry specialist from CCD and Xuan Thuy National Park delivered information on the role of mangroves in protecting coastal area and generating livelihood for local community. At the same time, participants were also trained on community-based mangrove nursery and planting techniques specifically for the Rhizophora stylosa and Sonneratiacaseolaris and other species that will be used for restore degraded mangroves in Xuan Thuy National Park in a piloting area of 1,000m2. In addition, the sapling trees of Rhizophora stylosa and Sonneratia caseolaris have been nursed since September 2019, and carefully selected before planting to ensure that the seedlings will survive at the pilot site. Next steps, CCD in collaboration with Xuan Thuy and local community will closely work monitor and protect the growth of the mangrove in the pilot site quarterly then propose follow-up step on scaling up the recovery effort.

Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is a national conservation Non-Government Organization (NGO). CCD specifically works on nature conservation, endangered biodiversity protection to support sustainable development in Vietnam. CCD’s priorities are biodiversity inventory and monitoring; protected area management improvement, wildlife trafficking combat, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, sustainable forest management, and local community empowerment for biodiversity conservation and forest management. CCD is currently recruiting a communication officer to deliver a multi-faceted communication plan of the Center.TERMS OF REFERENCE Communication Officer Title: Communication officer (National position) Type of contract: Full-time Duration: One year with possible extension Location: Based in Hanoi with frequent travel to project locations Report to: Director Salary: Negotiation DUTIES:1. Program and CCD communications – Prepare and distribute press releases and social media outputs of CCD and its projects. – Search, gather and edit online and paper communication information for posting and distribution on CCD’s Fanpage for educational purposes. – Provide communication initiatives (messages, ideas, plan, actions, etc.) of the projects and the center to Director and coordinators – Design CCD’s profile, newsletter and annual reports to promote CCD’s works. 2. Community awareness-raising and school education – Work with Conservation Coordinator, Community Development & Tourism Coordinator and other technical staff to develop and design environmental education and biodiversity conservation materials and publications such as video clips, short stories, fact sheets, posters, leaflets for flagship species and key tourism sites. – Implement community outreach and school education activities at the project sites. 3. Events and campaigns – Assist in organizing and generating public support for special events and campaigns to promote the reputation of CCD and its projects. – Support to organize workshops, seminars, campaigns, events and project review meetings including agendas and meeting minutes. 4. Website and social media management – Develop and post news and communication messages, publications, articles, press releases on the CCD’s website and social media sites (Facebook, Fanpage and Twitter). – Administer CCD’s website and Fanpage, liaise with the hosting service and website design provider to maintain the operation of the website, and keep them regularly updated (to be trained). 5. Other tasks – Participate in groups/CCD meetings, workshops and training as required. – Perform other communication tasks as required. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS – University degree in one of the following fields: communication, media, journalism, tourism, social forestry or other related fields. – Fluency in Vietnamese. – Good communication skills including social media and multi-media. – Good computer skills including MS Office and one of the following design software: Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Indesign, CorelDraw, etc. – Knowledge of multimedia tools such as photography, video and social media. – Good writing skills. – Ability to handle multiple priorities and tight deadlines. – Good English skills are an advantage. – Experience in website administration is an advantage. APPLICATION SHOULD INCLUDE: – A resume/curriculum vitae summarizing qualifications, skills and experience. – A one-page cover letter. Application should be sent to: info@ccd.org.vn before September 7th, 2020. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified for an interview.

Continuing the long-term research program for Lorises, July 2020, the research team of the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) collaborated with Xuan Lien Nature Reserve (NR) to conduct the third research field trip in the North-West area of the Xuan Lien. Total 13 transects with total 48km through various habitats to night-spot the lorises. However, only one pygmy loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) and some others small nocturnal animal such as small flying-squirrel, mice, barn-owl were spotted. In combination with the result from the first field trip in July 2019 and the second one in December 2019, then there were 07 loris individuals were recorded including 02 slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) and 05 pygmy loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) at the reserve. All of lorises were spotted in mixed-bamboo forest and the secondary forest recovered in abandoned shifting-cultivation fields (about 20 years). We have not recorded any loris in primary forest as shared by local community (through interview survey).Lorises are fully protected by Vietnamese laws, specifically at the Decree no. 06/2019/NĐ-CP and 160/2013/NĐ-CP (updated in the Decree no. 64/2019/NĐ-CP). Preliminary assessment at Xuan Lien, population of both species have been significantly declined due to poaching (main cause), trafficking (not so popular), and habitat loss (important cause). Although the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007) ranks loris as Vulnerable (VU), recent studies on loris in Vietnam showed that their populations had declined in all known ranges, therefore their threat level should be up listed to Endangered or Critically Endangered. Furthermore, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has also listed them under EN level, so it is necessary to increase the level of protection for lorises in Vietnam to urge for more active conservation measures for these species. Next steps, CCD will continue to coordinate with Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to conduct more study and identify relevant conservation approach to ensure better protection for the lorises populations in this important area. In addition, more outreach activities should be implemented to raise local people’s awareness of loris and others endangered wildlife in Xuan Lien. CCD is working closely with protected areas and national parks across the country to maintain long-term and active conservation programs for endangered flora and fauna in Vietnam. CCD also works with different partners to implement relevant capacity building activities for young scientists and staffs of protected areas and national parks to improve their research, monitor and conservation efforts for endangered species in Vietnam and in the Indochina region. We are also providing technical support and assistance to relevant government partners to improve the effectiveness of conservation activities, improve enforcement effort for national laws such as the Law on Forestry, and the Law on Biodiversity to to improve protected areas management and biodiversity conservation in Vietnam more effectively.

On August 12, 2020, the Center for Nature conservation and Development (CCD) organized a training course on “Research and conservation of tortoises and freshwater turtles in Vietnam”. This training course aims at providing knowledge on biology, ecology, distribution, conservation, threats and trade of turtles in Vietnam to young and middle-career researchers. During the training, turtle conservation status, and study method and field research skills of turtle and tortoise were shared with participants. Pham Van Thong, a turtle conservation expert, who has 11 years of experience and other CCD’s experts shared their research skills and wildlife conservation best practices with participants. This is one of the training series that CCD is implementing to build capacity for young field biologists and conservationists to improve their research capacity on species conservation, especially the threatened species. After the training course, trainees will have opportunity to join CCD conservation efforts for tortoises and freshwater turtles in the CCD’s prioritized landscapes.

The northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) is classified under the IB group of the List of endangered, rare and precious flora and fauna of the Vietnam Decree 06/2019/ND-CP dated on January 22, 2019, the Endangered (EN) in the 2007 Vietnam’s Red Data Book, and the Critically Endangered (CR) in the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. The population of this species in the world is declining sharply due to human impacts and habitat loss. The northern white-cheeked gibbon previously existed in China, Laos and Vietnam; however, in recent years, this species was declared to be extinct in China. Thus, the northern white-cheeked gibbon is now distributed only in Vietnam and Laos. In Vietnam, Xuan Lien and Pu Hoat Nature Reserves (NR) have been identified as the most important habitats for this extremely endangered primate. Being a part of programs on improving the capacity of relevant stakeholders in nature conservation and protection of endangered species in Vietnam, and followed the successfully completed village meetings on the conservation of the northern white- cheeked gibbon in Xuan Lien NR, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with Pu Hoat NR management board, organized village meetings in 05 villages of Muong Phu, Muong Hinh, Na Luom, Pu Duoc and Long Thang, with the aim at raising awareness of villagers in natural conservation in general and in conservation of the northern white-cheeked gibbon in particular. The meetings were taken place from 28 to 30 July 2020 and attracted more than 500 people in 05 villages with the enthusiastic support from officers of Pu Hoat NR. Below is some photos of the awareness raising event: Photo 1: Women at various ages and children of Long Thang village, Hanh Dich commune, Que Phong district, Nghe An province participated in the village meeting to understand the role of forest and conservation of the northern white-cheek gibbon Photo 2: Villagers of Pu Duoc village, Dong Van commune, Que Phong district, Nghe An province joined the gibbon games Photo 3: Forest ranger of Pu Hoat Nature Reserve talking to people in Muong Phu village, Thong Thu commune, Que Phong district, Nghe An province about the protection of white cheeked gibbons Photo 4: Group photo with villagers of Na Luom village, Thong Thu commune, Que Phong district, Nghe An province.

Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is a national conservation Non-Government Organization (NGO). CCD specifically works on nature conservation, endangered biodiversity protection to support sustainable development in Vietnam. CCD’s priorities are biodiversity inventory and monitoring; protected area management improvement, wildlife trafficking combat, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, sustainable forest management, and local community empowerment for biodiversity conservation and forest management. CCD is currently recruiting a communication officer to deliver a multi-faceted communication plan of the Center.TERMS OF REFERENCE Communication Officer Title: Communication officer (National position) Type of contract: Full-time Duration: One year with possible extension Location: Based in Hanoi with frequent travel to project locations Report to: Director Salary: Negotiation DUTIES: 1. Program and CCD communications – Prepare and distribute press releases and social media outputs of CCD and its projects. – Search, gather and edit online and paper communication information for posting and distribution on CCD’s Fanpage for educational purposes. – Provide communication initiatives (messages, ideas, plan, actions, etc.) of the projects and the center to Director and coordinators – Design CCD’s profile, newsletter and annual reports to promote CCD’s works. 2. Community awareness-raising and school education – Work with Conservation Coordinator, Community Development & Tourism Coordinator and other technical staff to develop and design environmental education and biodiversity conservation materials and publications such as video clips, short stories, fact sheets, posters, leaflets for flagship species and key tourism sites. – Implement community outreach and school education activities at the project sites. 3. Events and campaigns – Assist in organizing and generating public support for special events and campaigns to promote the reputation of CCD and its projects. – Support to organize workshops, seminars, campaigns, events and project review meetings including agendas and meeting minutes. 4. Website and social media management – Develop and post news and communication messages, publications, articles, press releases on the CCD’s website and social media sites (Facebook, Fanpage and Twitter). – Administer CCD’s website and Fanpage, liaise with the hosting service and website design provider to maintain the operation of the website, and keep them regularly updated (to be trained). 5. Other tasks – Participate in groups/CCD meetings, workshops and training as required. – Perform other communication tasks as required. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS – University degree in one of the following fields: communication, media, journalism, tourism, social forestry or other related fields. – Fluency in Vietnamese. – Good communication skills including social media and multi-media. – Good computer skills including MS Office and one of the following design software: Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Indesign, CorelDraw, etc. – Knowledge of multimedia tools such as photography, video and social media. – Good writing skills. – Ability to handle multiple priorities and tight deadlines. – Good English skills are an advantage. – Experience in website administration is an advantage. APPLICATION SHOULD INCLUDE: – A resume/curriculum vitae summarizing qualifications, skills and experience. – A one-page cover letter. Application should be sent to: info@ccd.org.vn before September 7th, 2020. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified for an interview!

The monitoring and conservation program of northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) in Vietnam is carried out by the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) with the focus on Xuan Lien Nature Reserve (NR) in Thanh Hoa Province and Pu Hoat NR (including Protection Forest) in Nghe An Province. This is a long-term program to protect, monitor and recover this Critically Endangered (CR) gibbon population in its historical distribution areas. In May and June 2020, CCD field biologists conducted a field survey in the joint area between Xuan Lien NR and Pu Hoat Protection Forest. As a result, 62 groups with 142 individuals were recorded as below: – Pu Hoat protection forest area (under management of Pu Hoat NR management board) possesses 40 groups and 85 individuals. These are the most detailed and largest records of northern white-cheeked gibbon population in this area. – Xuan Lien NR (fixed listening posts (LP) of LP5, LP13 and part of LP15 were monitored this time) has at least 22 groups and 57 individuals. Compared to the 2011-2012 baseline data in the same area, which previously recorded 15 groups and 47 individuals (Nguyen et al. 2012), the number of gibbon groups and individuals has increased by 07 groups and 10 individuals after nearly 10 years. During this survey, the team also took photos and videos of two northern white-cheeked gibbon groups foraging. They include a group of 03 individuals (01 male, 01 female and 01 infant) in Pu Hoat side and a group of 04 individuals (01 male, 01 female, 02 sub-adults) in Xuan Lien side. So far, these are among the first images and videos of the northern white-cheeked gibbon taken in the wild in Vietnam. Once again, the survey results confirm that Xuan Lien and Pu Hoat NRs are the most important distribution and conservation areas of the northern white-cheeked gibbon in Vietnam. Therefore, conservation efforts should be continuously undertaken in these areas to protect and restore this Critically Endangered gibbon population. CCD has committed to maintain long-term conservation efforts for crested gibbons (Nomascus), especially the northern white-cheeked gibbon and Cao Vit gibbon in Vietnam, by strengthening the population surveys and monitoring, studying species ecology and behaviors and building capacity for stakeholders.

The white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) is a primate that is classified as IB in the list of endangered forest animals, the Endangered group (EN) in the Vietnam Red Book and the Critically Endangered Group (CR) in the IUCN’s Red List because its population is declining sharply globally due to human impacts and habitat loss. White-cheeked gibbons previously existed in China, Laos and Vietnam. However, in recent years, this species has been declared extinct in China, they are currently distributed only in Vietnam and Laos. In Vietnam, Xuan Lien Nature Reserve and the adjacent Pu Hoat protection forest have been identified as important habitat for this extremely endangered primate. As part of programs to improve the capacity of nature conservation, protection of endangered species in Vietnam in combination with the research and conservation efforts made for this species at Xuan Lien, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) has cooperated with Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to hold village meetings “Conservation of white-cheeked gibbons and loris” in Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to enhance awareness of the village community, towards improving the effectiveness of nature conservation in general and wildlife conservation in particular. The program is implemented from June 9 to 11, 2020 in five villages including Vin, Phong, Chieng, Khong and Lua in the buffer zone of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve. The village meetings program took place successfully with the active and enthusiastic participation of local people. Besides, listening, exchanging ideas and suggestions between program implementers and local people are encouraged. At each meeting, local people not only understood the importance of protecting local white-cheeked gibbons but also were informed about the penalties prescribed by law for poaching and trading wildlife. Through the program, the message of standing together to protect endangered species of plants/animals in Vietnam has been spread to all local people.