James Hardcastle with local people in the Vietnamese jungle.

The situation of primates in Vietnam is critical. There are at least six primate species that are likely to go extinct within a few years unless urgent action is taken. Among these is the Black Crested Gibbon, one of the most threatened and poorly understood species in the world. Che Tao and Nam Xe forests harbour the last viable populations of Black Crested Gibbons and are both important watershed forests, protecting downstream areas from erosion and flooding.

The overall aim of the project is to secure the long term prospects for the survival of these populations. Specifically the project seeks to achieve protected area status for Che Tao and Nam Xe, which would harness and protect local community land rights, sustainable management of local resources and local participation in primate protection. Concentrating on a programme of conservation education and awareness, the team will build local knowledge of the species, working closely with local institutions such as schools, the Women's Union, Commune People's Committee and Village elders. The Protected Area gazettement process will then be carried out with full representation of the local community, to result in community decisions and priorities being incorporated into the Protected Area boundaries and management plan.