Four rare animal species have been spotted in the Than Sa – Phuong Hoang Nature Reserve through biodiversity surveys and monitoring conducted over the past two years, reported the Special-Use and Protection Forest Management Board of northern Thai Nguyen province.

Pygmy slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus).

The newly recorded species comprise the pygmy slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus), the northern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca leonina), the forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii), and the spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor).

All the four species are classified under Group IB – Vietnam’s highest level of protection for endangered, rare, and precious wildlife, and listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

With these additions, the reserve is now home to 350 animal species, of which 63 are considered rare and threatened, including those at both national and global levels, as well as species protected under Government regulations.

The results reaffirm the outstanding biodiversity value of the limestone forest ecosystem and its importance to conservation at both provincial and national levels.

Nguyen Van Tuyen, Director of the provincial Special-Use and Protection Forest Management Board, said that the discovery of additional endangered and rare species reflects the effectiveness of forest management, protection, and ecosystem restoration efforts in recent years.

He noted that authorities have implemented a range of coordinated measures, including increasing patrols in key areas, strengthening coordination with forest rangers and local administrations, and carrying out community-based forest protection initiatives in buffer zones, which have helped curb the illegal exploitation of forest resources.

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