Celebrating 30 years of the Endangered Primate Rescue Center

On December 19, Cuc Phuong National Park coordinated with Leipzig Zoo (Federal Republic of Germany) to organize a conference to evaluate the results of "30 years of rescuing rare primates in Vietnam, results, lessons learned and orientation to 2050" and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Endangered Primate Rescue Center.

Attending the event were Mr. Bui Chinh Nghia, Director of the Vietnam Forestry Department; leaders of the Vietnam Zoological Society; leaders of Cuc Phuong National Park; representatives of Leipzig Zoo; leaders of the Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa Forestry Sub-Departments; leaders of the Forestry Sub-Departments bordering Cuc Phuong; domestic conservation units and organizations...

In 1993, with the consent of the Minister of Forestry, the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) - Federal Republic of Germany cooperated with Cuc Phuong National Park to implement the project "Cuc Phuong National Park Conservation Program". The project focused on researching and investigating the status of the Delacour's Langur and building the Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC). EPRC is the first center established in Indochina and is a prestigious address in the rescue, conservation and rehabilitation of rare primates of Vietnam to the wild.

Over 30 years of cooperation with the Frankfurt Zoological Society (1993-2013) and Leipzig Zoo (2013-2023), the Project has achieved remarkable results.

At Cuc Phuong National Park, over 180 individuals of 14 rare primate species of Vietnam are being rescued and preserved. All primates at the Center are being well cared for. There are 12 species that have successfully reproduced with over 200 individuals, including 3 species that are being bred in captivity for the first time in the world. They are: Delacour's langur, White-headed langur and Grey-shanked douc langur. There are 6 species that are being rescued and cared for only at Cuc Phuong, and no other place in the world cares for these species. In particular, through investigation and research, a new species, the Grey-shanked douc langur, has been discovered.

The project is considered a typical endangered species rescue model in the region and the world, helping to successfully preserve and develop rare and highly endangered species in the wild.

At the same time, it is also a model for environmental research and education, creating a change from awareness to action for the social community, especially generations of students, researchers, and young volunteers; this is also a symbol of effective cooperation in the field of species conservation science between Cuc Phuong National Park and foreign partners in general and Leipzig Zoo in particular.

Discussing at the conference, delegates highly appreciated the results achieved during 30 years of efforts to rescue and preserve rare primates in Vietnam at the Endangered Primate Rescue Center. Thereby, this model has spread and expanded nationwide in terms of conservation, nurturing, reproduction and reproduction in the wild, contributing to the protection of biodiversity and the protection of endangered wildlife. This place has truly become a trusted address, a peaceful home for rare and endangered animals in Vietnam.

At the conference, a signing ceremony of a cooperation support agreement for the period 2024-2028 between Leipzig Zoo and Cuc Phuong National Park took place.