DPZ collaborates with Vietnam
A high-level Vietnamese delegation will pay the German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Göttingen a visit from 10 to 14 August 2015. The purpose of the visit is to discuss research and the protection of the highly endangered primates in Vietnam. Today Cao Chi Cong, the representative of forestry administration in the Vietnamese Ministry of agriculture and development, and Michael Lankeit, Managing Director of the German Primate Center signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Through the reduction of bureaucratic hurdles, the agreement will support joint projects. In the first five-year period, nature conservation organizations will train pupils, students and employees.
Not only the elegant gibbons but also many other primates indigenous to Vietnam are highly endangered. Currently, there are only approximately 65 Cat Ba Langurs and concerning the Delacour’s Langur and the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey, the situation is not much different. For the past 20 years, Christian Roos from the German Primate Center has been involved in research projects in Vietnam. By using of novel genetic methods, he examines the evolutionary relationships between the monkeys and every now and then, he would discover new species. Not only was he involved in a sensational discovery – in 2010, an unknown ape was discovered – but he intends to increase public awareness. "If politicians, scientists and conservation organizations do not cooperate to develop and implement protective measures, many of the new species will be extinct in the near future," says Christian Roos.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed at the German Primate Center, will enhance the protection of primates in Vietnam where research on the most endangered species is expedited and scientific and environmental protection concepts are developed. In addition, workshops will be conducted for researchers and students and training will be provided for the staff of national parks. Websites and events to raise public awareness of the issue will be established. The project will be funded through joint project proposals.
„With the agreement that was signed today, we have provided a reliable basis for our collaboration in research and conservation with Vietnam," says Michael Lankeit, administrative director at the DPZ. "It is essential to have the support and cooperation of the local authorities, especially when it concerns research permits in national parks or for the export of sample material," Lankeit explained. Cao Chi Cong stresses that the genetic analyzes of hair and fecal samples conducted by DPZ from confiscated monkeys is an important contribution to curb poaching.
Members of the Vietnamese delegation are Cao Chi Cong, Deputy Director General of Vietnamese Administration, Tran The Lien, Director of Nature Conservation Department, Doan Minh Tuan, Director of Legislation and Inspection Department and Nguyen Manh Hiep, Executive Conservation Officer.