Ninh Binh opens world's largest sanctuary for endangered Delacour's langur

The Kim Bang conservation area represents a major conservation milestone for Delacour's langur, an endangered species found only in northern Vietnam. The establishment of the sanctuary provides a comprehensive legal and scientific framework for protecting both the animal and its natural habitat in the strategically important Ninh Binh region.

The protected area is designed to safeguard the species and its ecosystem while supporting broader environmental objectives in the province. Officials say the conservation initiative addresses long-standing concerns about habitat loss and declining populations of the langur, which faces mounting pressure from human encroachment and environmental degradation.

The sanctuary's designation is expected to bolster Vietnam's application to have the Van Long–Kim Bang–Tam Chuc Cultural and Ecological Landscape Complex recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The three-part landscape complex encompasses significant wetland areas and cultural heritage sites that are central to the region's ecological and historical importance.

Conservation experts have long emphasised the need for coordinated protection of Delacour's langur habitats across northern Vietnam. The Kim Bang facility represents a concrete response to those calls, combining habitat preservation with scientific research and monitoring capabilities.