International Workshop “Promoting the Conservation of Silver-backed Cheetah and the Coastal Dry Forest Ecosystem of Vietnam”

On October 18, at Nui Chua National Park, an international workshop was held on “Promoting the conservation of Silver-backed Cheo Cheo and the dry coastal forest ecosystem of Vietnam”. The workshop was attended by research organizations, conservation of nature and wild animals and plants in Vietnam and internationally; domestic and international scientists. Comrade Le Huyen, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee attended the workshop.

At the workshop, researchers said that the Silver-backed Cheo-deo (also known as the Vietnamese Cheo-deo, scientific name Tragulus versicolor) is an animal on the list of 25 rare and endangered species of the Global Wildlife Conservation Organization (GWC). However, in 2018, a research team recorded the Silver-backed Cheo-deo appearing in the Nui Chua National Park forest. This is an important biodiversity discovery for Vietnam and the world, because some international experts have suspected that this animal may still exist in the wild after nearly 30 years of "disappearance". The Silver-backed Cheo-deo looks like a deer but is smaller (about the size of a rabbit). This is a symbolic ungulate of the dry coastal forests endemic to Vietnam. No other place in the world has recorded the presence of this species in the wild.

Panorama of the international workshop “Promoting the conservation of Silver-backed Cheetah and the dry coastal forest ecosystems of Vietnam”. Photo: Van Ny

Currently, two populations of Silver-backed Cheo have been discovered in Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa. In particular, Nui Chua National Park in Ninh Thuan is home to the only population in the reserve and is likely to be the largest and most stable population known worldwide. At the workshop, experts pointed out a number of threats to Silver-backed Cheo and proposed measures to protect this species. In addition, researchers also discussed updating the conservation status of Silver-backed Cheo in the IUCN Red Book (a list of the conservation status and diversity of flora and fauna in the world). From there, there will be a basis for adding the species name and classification in the Vietnam Red Book.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Le Huyen, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, said: In order to protect biodiversity in the dry forest of Nui Chua, the Provincial People's Committee has promoted coordination with relevant parties to establish the Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve and directed the Management Board of Nui Chua National Park and relevant local departments to enhance their responsibility in the conservation and development of the values that the World Biosphere Reserve brings. The discovery of the Silver-backed Cheetah in Nui Chua National Park is a welcome signal not only for scientists, but also for state management units and people in the region. This discovery also confirms the importance of the dry coastal forest habitat in Nui Chua in nurturing unique biodiversity.

Comrade Le Huyen, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, spoke at the workshop. Photo: Van Ny

Thereby, it will contribute to ensuring important ecosystem service values for humans. In the coming time, the Provincial People's Committee will continue to direct the Nui Chua National Park Management Board to strengthen close coordination with sectors at all levels to protect natural resources in the park. Strengthen the prevention of illegal hunting to protect the diverse animal ecosystem, including this rare species of Cheo cheo. At the same time, Nui Chua National Park will strengthen communication activities to raise awareness among local people and tourists about the benefits of protecting forests, the environment, and biodiversity, especially the value of Nui Chua dry forests.

This workshop is also a communication activity to call on domestic and international organizations to join hands to protect the biodiversity of Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve, especially the dry coastal forest ecosystem and endemic animal species in Nui Chua.

Spring Binh

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