Cao Vit gibbon - an extremely endangered primate in the world

Non Nuoc Cao Bang UGGp consists of a national park, five species-habitat conservation areas, five landscape protection areas, one inland wetland conservation area and two biodiversity corridors. Most of those above-mentioned areas are within Non Nuoc Cao Bang UGGp. Phja Oac - Phja Den National Park whose area is 11,960 hectares has nine ecosystems, of which the natural forest ecosystem has an area of 8,584.85 hectares, accounting for 71.78%. The National Park has five species and habitat conservation areas with 47 rare plant species and 66 rare animal species listed in the Vietnam Red Book.

In addition to the rich flora, the Geopark also has genetic resources of indigenous livestock and wild animals of special importance in terms of scientific and conservation value. That genetic resource is extremely valuable not only for Cao Bang province but also for Vietnam and the world.

In 2002, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) discovered 26 individuals of tailless, long-armed gibbons whose adults weigh 7 - 8 kg on a limestone bordering-China mountain that spreads across Phong Nam and Ngoc Khe communes of Trung Khanh district. After analyzing their DNA and songs, scientists confirmed that they are Cao Vit gibbons - one of the most threatened primates in the world and is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Cao Vit gibbon is on the list of the 25 most endangered primate species in the world, on the list of the 9 most endangered primate species in Asia, and one of the 5 most endangered primate species in Vietnam.

The Cao Vit gibbon was recorded in Viet Nam since 1884 till 1965 with three different varieties found in Trung Khanh district. From that time to 2000, this gibbon species was thought to be extinct because of no records of its existence. Adult male Cao Vit gibbons have an all-black body with a crest on the head while adult females vary in colour from yellow to beige with a black patch on the chest and on the top of the head and a large black triangle on her nape and back. Gibbons typically form small family groups, live on and swing tree to tree. Having the habit of singing "cao vit" and "ka whistle" every morning, they are called Cao Vit or Ka Huyt gibbons by the local people.

A project to preserve Cao Vit gibbons was set up and started in March, 2004. Its aim was to restore and expand the habitat for the primates in an area close to the Vietnam-China border. In 2007, FFI helped found the Cao Vit Gibbon Conservation Area, which covers 1,656,8 hectares in the communes of Ngoc Khe, Ngoc Con and Phong Nam in Trung Khanh district. In 2009, FFI worked with the Forestry Bureau of China’s Guangxi province to set up a protective area in a 6,530-hectare adjoining forest in its Jingxi district.

In the current situation of climate change, Non Nuoc Cao Bang UGGp, with diverse limestone terrain, many hidden caves, and many forest ecosystems, is a suitable shelter for animals. This is also great potential for Non Nuoc Cao Bang UGGp to develop models of eco-tourism, exploration, and biodiversity research, which attracts a large number of scientists as well as domestic and international visitors.

Virtual conference on Vietnam-China cross-border Cao Vit gibbon conservation

With the above-mentioned typical values, it can be said that Non Nuoc Cao Bang UGGp is an extremely valuable asset not only for the people of Cao Bang province in particular and Vietnam in general but also for all humanity. The recognition as a member of UNESCO global geoparks for Non Nuoc Cao Bang geopark is one of the noble and meaningful heritage titles. This title honors the values of geoscience according to strict criteria, the beauty of local landscapes, culture and biological diversity. On the other hand, this is also a model of sustainable socio-economic development that many countries around the world, especially developing countries, pursue.

In 2024, Cao Bang will host the 8th Asia-Pacific International Conference. This will be an opportunity for Cao Bang to introduce and promote the geological and geomorphological values, especially the value of local flora and fauna, to call for support from UNESCO and the Global Geopark Network. The construction and sustainable development of Geoparks according to UNESCO's orientation contributes not only to tourism development and conservation of local biological values but also to promoting economic development of districts/city in the area of the geopark.