World natural heritage Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Archipelago - home of endangered animal species Cat Ba lizard

09/11/2023

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently recognized the World Natural Heritage site of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago, with an expanded area including the Cat Ba Archipelago, known as the largest limestone archipelago in Vietnam. Here, scientists from Cologne Zoo (Germany) and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology - VAST) discovered a new species for science in 2008. Cat Ba Gecko species, scientific name is Goniurosaurus catbaensis Ziegler, Nguyen, Schmitz, Stenke, Rösler, 2008 with standard samples collected at Cat Ba National Park.

Based on the research results of Dr. Ngo Ngoc Hai (Genome Research Institute, VAST) on the current population status, ecological characteristics and factors affecting the population of this endemic animal in the wild, German and Vietnamese scientists have built a dossier to put this reptile on the IUCN Red List, Vietnam Red Book, as well as the list of protected wildlife species such as CITES Convention and Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP of Vietnam Government.

Cat Ba gecko

Cat Ba geckos have been successfully bred and reproduced

In the Cat Ba Archipelago, there have been a number of research and population monitoring programs implemented by scientists and staff of Cat Ba National Park over the past 10 years. A number of species conservation activities have also been carried out such as protecting natural forest habitats, propagandizing to raise awareness of the community and tourists, to minimize impacts on species populations such as building signboards. and distribute leaflets. In addition, Me Linh Biodiversity Station (Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources) and Cologne Zoo have implemented a breeding program to preserve this rare and endemic species and have more than 20 individuals of the species. This has been successfully bred.

Propaganda sign to protect the Cat Ba Gecko species

Prof. Dr. Thomas Ziegler, coordinator of the Cologne Zoo's Biodiversity Conservation and Research Program, author of the description of the Cat Ba Gecko species, is also an IUCN expert in the process of evaluating the Natural Heritage nomination dossier for . Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Islands. The recognition of the World Natural Heritage of Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago, the natural habitat of the Cat Ba Gecko, will hopefully promote further interest in reptile conservation programs and this endemic and rare species, as well as protecting the habitats of all other wildlife species on the archipelago.