HÀ NỘI — The first photographic book covering all of Việt Nam’s primate species was launched last week, kicking off a project initiated by business leaders turned conservation pioneers. 

Entitled The Conservation of Vietnam’s Threatened Primates - Edge of Extinction, the book is divided into four chapters based on the endangered levels of the primate species: critically endangered species, endangered species, vulnerable species and near threatened and least concern species. 

The 150-page book not only shows the magnificence of Vietnamese primates and the natural ecosystem of Việt Nam’s primeval forests but also sets alarm bells ringing about the urgency of protecting Việt Nam’s unique and endangered primates. 

Many of Việt Nam’s natural reserves are face an uphill battle against the unsustainable illegal hunting of primate species for meat, imagined medicinal powers and the pet trade. As a consequence, these beautiful primates, and the rest of Việt Nam’s persecuted wildlife are literally running for their lives in a desperate struggle for survival. 

Việt Nam’s primates should be seen as a gift of nature, symbols of national pride and the responsibility of conserving them should be a top priority for the Vietnamese people. Many of the primate species found in Việt Nam, such as the langurs, are found nowhere else in the world. 

The launch of this book heralds a call for the conservation of the country’s nature and biodiversity by more than 50 of Việt Nam’s top business leaders. Việt Nam’s business magazine, Nhịp Cầu Đầu Tư, serves as a bridge among Việt Nam’s business leaders for conservation projects preserving the biodiversity of Việt Nam’s nature and environment. 

These leaders of the business community have joined hands to protect Việt Nam’s natural environment and encourage all Vietnamese to conserve the precious gift of nature. The new book has been made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of naturalists Jonathan Eames, Nguyễn Văn Trương, Lê Khắc Quyết and photographer Nicolas Cornet. — VNS