VIAt Chư Yang Sin National Park, conservation efforts for the southern yellow-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae) are being intensified through a combination of scientific research, community outreach, and professional training. Notably, this project is led by a group of young female conservationists, who are pioneering efforts to raise awareness and encourage local community participation in wildlife protection.
In late 2024 and early 2025, significant progress has been made in the conservation of the Southern Yellow-Cheeked Gibbon population at Chu Yang Sin National Park. Alongside research activities, awareness campaigns were conducted in four buffer zone villages, engaging 120 local residents. These sessions provided a platform for discussions on wildlife protection laws, helping to reduce poaching and illegal trade.
The awareness programs were supported by representatives from the park’s tourism service board and forest rangers. The enthusiastic participation of local residents, particularly through legal knowledge quizzes, highlighted a positive shift in awareness toward protecting the Southern Yellow-Cheeked Gibbon and other wildlife species.
Additionally, from January 2 to 4, 2025, a capacity-building workshop was held for 20 forest rangers and park staff. The training introduced the Distance Sampling method, enhancing their ability to estimate population sizes and monitor the species more effectively.
Notably, this project is driven by a team of young female conservationists who are championing community involvement, especially among women and ethnic minorities, in wildlife conservation. Their efforts not only contribute to protecting the Southern Yellow-Cheeked Gibbon but also promote a sustainable ecosystem at Chu Yang Sin. For the next steps, the project team will continue to implement awareness-raising activities, including distributing newsletters about wildlife-related legal violations and organizing a wildlife knowledge competition for students to increase information accessibility and the project’s effectiveness.
To expand the positive impact of women-led conservation initiatives, WildAct calls for collaboration and investment from organizations, businesses, and individuals committed to empowering women in conservation. Supporting these initiatives not only helps safeguard biodiversity but also fosters deeper local community participation in conservation efforts.
This is a crucial opportunity to create lasting change for both nature and people. Get in touch with us to explore collaboration opportunities.