The project aims to determine the number, distribution, threat to, and food sources of the two species to provide a conservation plan, aiming to remove them from the endangered classification under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Director of Pu Luong Nature Reserve Management Board Le The Su said that during the three year implementation period of the project, the Board will invite experts to train 20 staff members in conducting surveys, monitoring the two species and learning about their protection skills.
In addition, two commune-level conferences (in five communes in Quan Hoa District and four communes in Ba Thuoc District), and ten meetings with villages that have administrative boundaries bordering the sanctuary where the two endangered animals are located will also be held.
The Board will also produce and distribute 5,000 leaflets on the two species to educate the public on the value and necessity to conserve them.
The numbers of these two species in Pu Luong has been greatly reduced by illegal hunting and deforestation. If there is no preventative solution, they will be in danger of becoming extinct locally at Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
According to results from the latest surveys conducted by the Management Board, the Asian black bear is only found in the area of primary forest with less human impact such as forest sub-areas No. 270, 265, 115, 252 and 84 of the Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
Currently, the Owston's palm civet has a broader range of areas to look for food sources, but the traces of this species in Pu Luong forests are scarce.
