Cao Vit Gibbon or Eastern Black Crested Gibbon (Nomascus nasutus)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 12255396

FFI works by invitation around the world to save species from extinction, habitats from destruction and to encourage sustainable development. Formed in 1903 in the United Kingdom, FFI acts to conserve threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, are based on sound science and take account of human needs.

We work through partnerships that ensure local ownership and lasting results and believe success lies in devising strategies that both conserve biodiversity and contribute to human development. Our guiding principles are to: respond to local needs, respect national priorities, develop strategic partnerships and strengthen our partners' capacity.

Our program of activities in Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Eurasia is delivered principally through: building capacity to equip local people and agencies to manage their natural heritage; monitoring causes of biodiversity loss and its impact on local people, identifying and implementing solutions that benefit people and wildlife; and securing threatened areas of high biodiversity importance.

In Vietnam, FFI works with national and local authorities to conserve the Critically Endangered Cao Vit gibbon (Nomascus nasutus), which currently numbers only 100-110 individuals. FFI and its national partners led efforts to establish the Cao Vit Gibbon Conservation Area in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province in 2007 to protect the remaining gibbons' last forest habitat. The area comprises over 1,600 ha of primary and secondary forests and is directly adjacent to the Chinese border and the Bangliang Nature Reserve. Central to FFI's efforts to date has been the establishment and training of Community-based Conservation Teams (CCT), which assist government rangers in forest protection and in monitoring and deterring illegal activities. The CCT in effect has created more eyes on the ground to support gibbon conservation.

In this project, FFI and its national and community partners will work to:

• to enhance the capacity of conservation authorities and community teams to perform effective monitoring by introducing a MIST-based patrol system and upgrading a remote ranger station; and 
• increase public awareness of the plight of the Cao Vit gibbon species and its habitat through a documentary and a conservation awareness campaign. Each activity is designed to help FFI and its partners reach the long-term goals of stabilizing the last viable population of the Cao Vit gibbon, and protecting one of the last intact limestone forest blocks in north-eastern Vietnam and its resident biodiversity.