Endangered fish species discovered in Lao Cai

A fish assumed to be a rare Vietnamese salamander has been discovered in Hoang Lien - Van Ban Nature Reserve, as informed by Lao Cai Forest Protection Department on March 25.

During their regular patrol in the forest of Hoang Lien Van Ban Nature Reserve, the working group of Lao Cai Forest Protection Department encountered a strange fish in a stream of about 100m long located on an altitude of over 1,650m above sea level at the junction of streams in Sub-Area 518, bordering Than Uyen District (Lai Chau Province).

Some experts from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources under Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology reckon that this fish may be a Vietnamese salamander, also known as Tam Dao salamander (Paramesotriton deloustali),  a species of salamander in the family Salamandridae found only in Việt Nam. 

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss and poaching.

According to Nguyen Quang Vinh, Director of the Lao Cai Provincial Forest Protection Department, Hoang Lien - Van Ban Nature Reserve will coordinate with experts on wildlife, especially the frog class experts of the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources for confirmation, develop a plan for thematic investigation, collect specimens and have specific research results in the near future.

Hoang Lien Van Ban Nature Reserve will continue to strengthen patrolling and protection of forests in the area where this fish is found in order to effectively protect forests and biodiversity.

Hoang Lien Van Ban Nature Reserve is adjacent to Hoang Lien Sa Pa National Park in the Hoang Lien mountain range, covering a total natural area of more than 24,900 hectares in Nam Xe and Nam Xay Communes and a part of Liem Phu Commune (Van Ban District) and bordering with Mu Cang Chai District (Yen Bai) and Than Uyen District (Lai Chau).

This is a primeval forest area located at an altitude of 800-1,900m on the mountain. Some areas within the nature reserve have not yet been explored by humans. The fauna in Hoang Lien Van Ban Nature Reserve is very diverse in species composition that is typical for the forest fauna of the Northwest region of Vietnam.

There are 486 animal species of 89 families and 27 orders discovered here, of which the mammal class has 60 species, the bird class has 310 species, the reptile class has 64 species and the amphibian class has 52 species.