CAT TIEN NATIONAL PARK


( Projects VN0016 and VN0022 )


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at Tien National Park in southern Vietnam's Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces is considered one of the world's "biodiversity hotspots". The 80,000ha park supports a rich array of animal and plant life, some species of which are endemic to southern Vietnam. It has some 400 plant species including 170 medicinal herbs and 59 orchids. It also houses some 120 species of birds including two endemic and eight globally­threatened ones, 22 reptile species, 14 amphibians, and at least 62 species of mammals.

Cat Tien's best­known resident mammal is probably the Javan rhino. The park is one of two places in the world where Javan rhino populations still survive. The other is Ujung Kulon National Park in West Java, Indonesia. Together they hold a total Javan rhino population of less than 100, making the species the world's most endangered large mammal.

The survival of the species in southern Vietnam despite the ravages of war is proof of its resilience. In 1991 and 1993, WWF supported field surveys in Cat Loc, a reserve within Cat Tien, and found evidence of a small population of 8­12 Javan rhinos. Most encouraging were signs indicating the presence of at least two young rhino calves, suggesting that the small population was still breeding. Following these findings, the team of scientists from WWF, the Ministry of Forestry, and Ujung Kulon National Park prepared plans for the immediate protection of the species, poaching being the most serious threat to its continued survival. These plans included setting up guard posts, doubling the number of protection staff, and initiating public awareness campaigns.


Besides rhino surveys, WWF also supported a survey in 1993 to assess the elephant population in Cat Tien. The park is probably one of the few places in Vietnam where a viable elephant population is likely to survive. The survey recommended several steps for protecting the park.


Data collected from these surveys has been useful in preparing a management plan for Cat Tien. The plan, approved in 1994, includes an integrated conservation and development programme aimed at reducing the adverse human impact on Cat Tien's forests. A year later the Dutch government approved funding of US$6.3 million for the five­year programme which will introduce non­destructive livelihood schemes for the 30,000 people living in the park and surrounding buffer zones.




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Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature