Through biodiversity surveys and monitoring activities over the past two years, the Management Board of Special-Use and Protection Forests of Thai Nguyen province has recorded four new animal species in the Than Sa - Phuong Hoang Nature Reserve: the pygmy slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus), the pig-tailed macaque (Macaca leonina), the forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii), and the clouded civet (Prionodon pardicolor).
These species belong to group IB according to the law on the management of endangered, rare, and precious forest animals, and are also classified as endangered (EN) in the IUCN Red List.
Thus, to date, the Than Sa - Phuong Hoang Nature Reserve is home to 350 animal species, including 85 mammal species, 175 bird species, 61 reptile species, and 29 amphibian species, belonging to 89 families and 25 orders. Among these, 63 species are classified as endangered, rare, or precious, including 37 nationally threatened species (21 mammal species, 2 bird species, 12 reptile species, and 2 amphibian species), 20 globally threatened species (13 mammal species, 1 bird species, 5 reptile species, and 1 amphibian species), and 48 species listed in Government Decree No. 06/2019/ND-CP (21 mammal species, 21 bird species, and 6 reptile species). This result further affirms the outstanding biodiversity value of this special-use forest on limestone mountains, which is of significant importance to conservation efforts at the provincial and national levels.
According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tuyen, Director of the Management Board of Protective and Special-Use Forests in Thai Nguyen province, the recognition of additional endangered, rare, and precious animal species in the Than Sa - Phuong Hoang Nature Reserve is proof of the effectiveness of forest ecosystem management, protection, and restoration efforts in recent years. To effectively manage and protect forests and biodiversity in the Than Sa - Phuong Hoang Nature Reserve, the Board has implemented comprehensive solutions such as: strengthening patrols and control in key areas, closely coordinating with forest rangers and local authorities, contracting forest protection to buffer zone communities, and gradually reducing acts of forest resource exploitation…
The discovery of additional rare animal species in the Than Sa - Phuong Hoang Nature Reserve has significant scientific value. However, information on species such as the slow loris, pig-tailed macaque, musk deer, and civet is still limited. Detailed information on the status of each species is still incomplete. Therefore, more research is needed on mammals and primates in the Than Sa - Phuong Hoang Nature Reserve, especially monitoring programs lasting 3 to 5 years to provide a scientific and practical basis for confirming the existence of these mammals and primates in the special-use forest...