Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkey Rhinopithecus avunculus Dollman, 1912 Vietnam (2000, 2002, 2004) Once thought extinct, the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey was rediscovered in 1989 — and now faces extinction from the construction of a massive hydroelectric dam.

The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is one of four unusual, large Asian colobine monkeys of the genus Rhinopithecus, all of which possess a characteristic turned-up nose. The three other species are endemic to China, while the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is found only in northern Vietnam. This species was discovered in 1910, collected on perhaps no more than two occasions over the course of the next 50 to 60 years, and subsequently presumed to be extinct by a number of primatologists until it was rediscovered in 1989. Currently, there are only three known locations with recent evidence where Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys occur. In 1992, a population was found in Na Hang District. As a result of the discovery, a nature reserve was established in 1994. Since the creation of the protected area at Na Hang, the existence of two additional Tonkin snub-nosed monkey populations has been confirmed, one in the forests of Cham Chu and another in Du Gia Nature Reserve. The total population is estimated not to exceed 300 individuals. For the largest subpopulation of Na Hang Nature Reserve, the most serious threat is posed by a hydropower and flood prevention dam project. Construction began in 2002. Some 10,000 workers will move into the area for dam construction. This will lead to increased demand for wildlife products, firewood and increased human activities due to improved accessibility by roads and the future lake. Conservation activities carried out by several organizations have been unsuccessful, and a dramatic reduction of this subpopulation is foreseeable. The forests of Cham Chu have no protected status and are under increasing pressure due to resettlement from the Na Hang area. The only population without immediate threat is in the Du Gia Nature Reserve. There, public awareness and community participatory activities are being linked to increased protection efforts under the supervision of Fauna and Flora International (FFI). William R. Konstant and Tilo Nadler

References Boonratana, R. and Le Xuan Canh. 1998. Conservation of Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus [Presbyticus] avunculus) in Vietnam. In: The Natural History of the Doucs and Snub-nosed Monkeys, N. G. Jablonsky (ed.), pp.207-215. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore. Le Khac Quyet. 2004. Distribution and Conservation of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) in Du Gia Nature Reserve, Ha Giang Province, northeast Vietnam. In: Conservation of Primates in Vietnam, T. Nadler, U. Streicher and Ha Thang Long (eds.), pp.58-62. Frankfurt Zoological Society, Hanoi. Le Khac Quyet and Simmons, S. P. 2002. Results of surveys on Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) in the Northeastern Vietnam. Report to Singapore Zoo and Fauna and Flora International, Hanoi. Nadler, T., Momberg, F., Nguyen Xuan Dang and Lormee, N. 2003. Vietnam Primate Conservation Status Review 2002. Part 2: Leaf Monkeys, pp. 145-164. Fauna and Flora International and Frankfurt Zoological Society, Hanoi. Suggested citation: Konstant, W. R. and Nadler, T. 2005. Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey, Rhinopithecus avunculus Dollman, 1912. In: Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates 2004-2006, R. A. Mittermeier, C. Valladares-Pádua, A. B. Rylands, A. A. Eudey, T. M. Butynski, J. U. Ganzhorn, R. Kormos, J. M. Aguiar and S. Walker (eds.), p.30. Report to IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG), International Primatological Society (IPS) and Conservation International (CI), Washington, DC.