Photo exhibition on langurs opens in Đà Nẵng

ĐÀ NẴNG —An exhibition featuring 150 photos on the ‘Life of the red-shanked douc langur (Pygathrix nemaeus) in Sơn Trà Peninsula’ opened yesterday at Đà Nẵng City’s Science Library on 46 Bạch Đằng Street.

The exhibition, which drew the participation of wildlife photographers from all over Việt Nam, including Đà Nẵng, aims to raise awareness for the protection of the endangered langur in the Sơn Trà Nature Reserve in this city.

Many photos of the primates, taken by French wildlife photographer Cyril Ruoso and Vietnamese Nguyễn Trường Sinh, and posters were put up at bus stops, hotels, living quarters and the airport, as well as the railway station and on the main streets of Đà Nẵng.

Scientists and biologists from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have agreed to list the red-shanked douc langur as critically endangered (CR) with unlimited protection status in the world. In 2013, IUCN had listed the animal as endangered (EN).

The Sơn Trà Nature Reserve, which is 10km from Đà Nẵng’s centre, is known for its rich biodiversity with 287 species of animals and 985 species of plants. The 2500ha reserve, which is 600m above sea level, is home to 300 red-shanked douc langurs, only found in east-central Laos and Việt Nam.

The exhibition will continue until Sunday (May 22). — VNS