species
our work
our work
Species We Protect
A key focus of our work is the conservation of globally threatened species and the habitats they depend upon.
PRCF’s conservation projects start with research into the conservation status of a species, in liaison with stakeholder local communities and relevant government officials. Our projects then involve local communities in activities for the conservation of those target species in their natural habitats. Our vision is supporting those communities to develop sustainable livelihoods and become champions for conservation of the globally threatened species in their landscape.
Although some of these species are Critically Endangered and charismatic, like the Cao Vit Gibbon, our species conservation objective takes us into studying and protecting species that are poorly understood, less glamorous, but still gradually moving closer to extinction.
Trachypithecus francoisi
Francois' Langur
The Francois’ Langur is distributed through southwest China (Guangxi and Guizhou Provinces) into northeast Vietnam and is dependent upon karst limestone mountains. The steep rocky cliff faces of these mountains don’t provide an obstacle to these agile climbers and do provide a safe haven from predators. Furthermore the scattered caves provide shelter, for family groups especially during the cold nights of the winter. However human hunting has driven the species to extinction in many areas and forest lost in low lying areas has left the Francois’ Langur population fragmented in islands of forest limestone mountains surrounded by anthropogenic landscapes.
The global population of the species has dropped to less than 2,000 individuals across this region. Now considered Endangered by the IUCN, this species risks joining its closest relatives also found in the region, which are listed as Critically Endangered and among the most endangered primates in the world; the Cat Ba Langur, White-headed Langur, and Delancour’ Langur.
In Vietnam, the remaining Francois Langur populations is fragmented into small sub-populations. By far the largest known population in Vietnam is found in the Lam Binh/Sinh Long landscape of Tuyen Quang Province, where PRCF has recently recorded 13 groups and over 100 individuals, showing that conservation measures are working and the population is increasing.
You may learn more about our efforts to save the Francois’ Langur, and our projects in the Northern Limestone Mountains here:
Trachypithecus francoisi
Francois' Langur
The Francois’ Langur is distributed through southwest China (Guangxi and Guizhou Provinces) into northeast Vietnam and is dependent upon karst limestone mountains. The steep rocky cliff faces of these mountains don’t provide an obstacle to these agile climbers and do provide a safe haven from predators. Furthermore the scattered caves provide shelter, for family groups especially during the cold nights of the winter. However human hunting has driven the species to extinction in many areas and forest lost in low lying areas has left the Francois’ Langur population fragmented in islands of forest limestone mountains surrounded by anthropogenic landscapes.
The global population of the species has dropped to less than 2,000 individuals across this region. Now considered Endangered by the IUCN, this species risks joining its closest relatives also found in the region, which are listed as Critically Endangered and among the most endangered primates in the world; the Cat Ba Langur, White-headed Langur, and Delancour’ Langur.
In Vietnam, the remaining Francois Langur populations is fragmented into small sub-populations. By far the largest known population in Vietnam is found in the Lam Binh/Sinh Long landscape of Tuyen Quang Province, where PRCF has recently recorded 13 groups and over 100 individuals, showing that conservation measures are working and the population is increasing.
You may learn more about our efforts to save the Francois’ Langur, and our projects in the Northern Limestone Mountains here:
Pongo tapanuliensis
Tapanuli Orangutan
The PRCF is on the front lines of conserving the world’s most threatened great ape, the Tapanuli Orangutan, which was only discovered and described as a distinct species in 2017.
The Tapanuli Orangutan is a Critically Endangered species, only found in the wild within the 142,000 ha Batang Toru Ecosystem. There are fewer than 800 individuals remaining, split into two main sub-populations. The area that has been confirmed to be occupied by orangutans is around 100,000 hectares. Only the population in the West Block is considered viable in the long term. There are around 550 individuals in the West Block. The East Block has less than 200 individuals and it is separated from the West Block by a provincial road.
The Tapanuli Orangutan’s current range is only 2.5% of its historical range and if the population is not stabilized, it faces the very real risk of extinction. Together with our partners, we are working towards stabilizing the population through the engagement of local stakeholders in actionable efforts, such as sustainable forest management practices and the establishing of forest corridors.
You may learn more about our efforts to save the Tapanuli Orangutan, and our projects in Batang Toru and the Hadabuan Hills Landscape here:
Pongo tapanuliensis
Tapanuli Orangutan
The PRCF is on the front lines of conserving the world’s most threatened great ape, the Tapanuli Orangutan, which was only discovered and described as a distinct species in 2017.
The Tapanuli Orangutan is a Critically Endangered species, only found in the wild within the 142,000 ha Batang Toru Ecosystem. There are fewer than 800 individuals remaining, split into two main sub-populations. The area that has been confirmed to be occupied by orangutans is around 100,000 hectares. Only the population in the West Block is considered viable in the long term. There are around 550 individuals in the West Block. The East Block has less than 200 individuals and it is separated from the West Block by a provincial road.
The Tapanuli Orangutan’s current range is only 2.5% of its historical range and if the population is not stabilized, it faces the very real risk of extinction. Together with our partners, we are working towards stabilizing the population through the engagement of local stakeholders in actionable efforts, such as sustainable forest management practices and the establishing of forest corridors.
You may learn more about our efforts to save the Tapanuli Orangutan, and our projects in Batang Toru and the Hadabuan Hills Landscape here:
Tomistoma schlegelii
Tomistoma Crocodile
The Tomistoma Crocodile (aka False Gharial) is a unique species, the only one of its genus, restricted to Sumatra, Borneo and peninsular Malaysia. It is listed by the IUCN as globally Vulnerable to extinction and is considered one of the top five priority crocodile species for conservation and research action.
Very little was known about the Tomistoma, until the first major field assessment of the species’ biology and status was carried out in 1995 and 1996 by Wildlife Management International and the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry in Sumatra. This led to the species being listed as Endangered by the IUCN in 1998.
In 2004 PRCF joined international efforts to better understand the status of the species by conducting surveys in West Kalimantan and later on in 2014 and 2015. There are no accurate population estimates of Tomistoma remaining in the wild, and the downlisting to Vulnerable was due to a better understanding of the species’s distribution being wider than previously understood. Nevertheless, the global population is still believed to be declining due to pressures on its habitat throughout its range.
Kalimantan is understood to hold the largest Tomistoma population. PRCF surveys have concentrated in the Danau Sentarum landscape in West Kalimantan, where adults, juveniles, and nests have been found, together with skins and captive crocodiles. Through our research, we have identified local threats, and areas critical for conservation in the Danau Sentarum lakes and are acting to take actions with local communities.
You may learn more about our efforts to save the Tomistoma Crocodile, and our projects in West Kalimantan here:
Tomistoma schlegelii
Tomistoma Crocodile
The Tomistoma Crocodile (aka False Gharial) is a unique species, the only one of its genus, restricted to Sumatra, Borneo and peninsular Malaysia. It is listed by the IUCN as globally Vulnerable to extinction and is considered one of the top five priority crocodile species for conservation and research action.
Very little was known about the Tomistoma, until the first major field assessment of the species’ biology and status was carried out in 1995 and 1996 by Wildlife Management International and the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry in Sumatra. This led to the species being listed as Endangered by the IUCN in 1998.
In 2004 PRCF joined international efforts to better understand the status of the species by conducting surveys in West Kalimantan and later on in 2014 and 2015. There are no accurate population estimates of Tomistoma remaining in the wild, and the downlisting to Vulnerable was due to a better understanding of the species’s distribution being wider than previously understood. Nevertheless, the global population is still believed to be declining due to pressures on its habitat throughout its range.
Kalimantan is understood to hold the largest Tomistoma population. PRCF surveys have concentrated in the Danau Sentarum landscape in West Kalimantan, where adults, juveniles, and nests have been found, together with skins and captive crocodiles. Through our research, we have identified local threats, and areas critical for conservation in the Danau Sentarum lakes and are acting to take actions with local communities.
You may learn more about our efforts to save the Tomistoma Crocodile, and our projects in West Kalimantan here:
Species We Protect
Species conservation lies at the core of PRCF’s work. The three species described above are examples of priorities for PRCF; other examples are shown here below.
Sunda Pangolin
The Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica) is distributed throughout much of the forest of Southeast Asia. The fur of the mammal is adapted to form a hard scaly protection, but it is these scales which make it one of the most sought-after animals in illegal wildlife trade causing it to be listed as Critically Endangered. The Sunda Pangolin is a target species for protection in the forests where PRCF is working in Indonesia.
Cao Vit Gibbon
The Cao Vit Gibbon (Nomascus nasutus) was previously thought to be extinct, until in 2002 a small population was discovered in an isolated karst forest in northeastern Vietnam on the border with China. This transboundary population is the only one known globally and with less than 150 individuals the species is listed as Critically Endangered and considered one of the world's rarest primates.
Image credit: Zhao Chao
White-eared Night Heron
White-eared Night Heron (Oroanassa magnifica ) is understood to be distributed across southeastern China and northern Vietnam. Its ecology is poorly understood, although it is known to be occur in forests close to water sources. It is threatened by habitat loss and listed as globally Endangered.
Image credit: Le Manh Hung
Sea Turtles
Most species of sea turtles are globally threatened, usually due to disturbance and egg-collection on the beaches where they breed. PRCF has supported conservation initiatives focused on community-led protection of sea-turtles and their nesting at Paloh Beach in West Kalimantan, Indonesia and at the Akassa coastline in southeastern Nigeria. Conservation activities include protection of breeding populations, nest and hatchling protection programs, and educational awareness programs.
Grey-shanked Douc Langur
One of several Critically Endangered primates understood to be endemic to Vietnam is the beautiful The Grey-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix cinerea). An important sub-population is found in Kon Ha Nung Biosphere Reserve in Gia Lai Province.
Image Credit: James Eaton