Recording many endangered and rare species in the protection forest in Binh Thuan

Recently, the Southern Institute of Ecology (SIE) under the Institute of Applied Materials Science reported to the Binh Thuan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development the results of research on silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor) at the forest division of the Long Song-Da Bac Protection Forest Management Board.

Accordingly, scientists have not recorded the endemic, endangered, precious, and rare species of silver-backed chevrotain in this protection forest. However, 24 other species of birds and animals have been recorded, including endangered, precious, and rare species such as black-shanked douc (Pygathrix nigripes), Javan pangolin (Manis javanica), green peafowl (Pavo muticus), Capricornis sumatraensis serow, pig-tailed macaque (Macaca leonina), etc.

Previously, from March to May 2022, the Southern Institute of Ecology coordinated with the Long Song-Da Bac Protection Forest Management Board to deploy field activities to install camera traps that are automatic photography equipment based on thermal and infrared sensors to record images of animals foraging on the ground in the Long Song-Da Bac protection forest.

To ensure representativeness, camera trap points were set up according to grid cells in the field in deciduous dipterocarp forest habitat. Camera trap points are about 500 m apart. Each trap site has a camera trap installed. Camera traps were secured to tree trunks at a height of 20 to 40 cm above the ground to maximize the ability to record the research's target species. A total of 36 camera traps were installed. Data extracted from camera traps after being recovered were inventoried, identified, and analyzed by modern statistical methods.

From the results recorded above, the Southern Institute of Ecology found that Long Song-Da Bac protection forest in particular and Binh Thuan province in general possess rich and unique biodiversity resources with ecotourism potential. Therefore, functional agencies need to strengthen patrolling and forest protection activities and develop periodic biodiversity monitoring plans to promptly assess and update the current status and developments of biodiversity and provide information for conservation and sustainable development.