Gorillas are not native to Vietnam. Their natural habitats are found exclusively in the tropical and subtropical forests of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Where Gorillas Live
Gorillas inhabit various forest environments across central and western Africa. There are two main species: the Eastern Gorilla and the Western Gorilla, each with distinct subspecies. Western Gorillas, including the Western Lowland Gorilla and Cross River Gorilla, live in countries such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, and Nigeria. They primarily occupy lowland swamp forests and montane forests.
Eastern Gorillas comprise the Mountain Gorilla and the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, also known as Grauer’s Gorilla. These species are found in east-central Africa, specifically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Their habitats vary from montane cloud forests for Mountain Gorillas, to submontane and lowland forests for Eastern Lowland Gorillas. The Congo River and its tributaries geographically separate the ranges of the Eastern and Western gorilla species.
Vietnam’s Diverse Primates
While gorillas are absent, Vietnam is home to a rich diversity of 25 primate species. Many of these primates, including langurs, macaques, and gibbons, are found throughout the country’s forests. The long-tailed macaque is a common species in Vietnam, with a subspecies endemic to the Con Dao islands.
Langurs are diverse in Vietnam, with species such as the critically endangered Delacour’s langur, endemic to northern Vietnam. The Cat Ba langur, another critically endangered species, is found only on Cat Ba Island. Vietnam also hosts gibbon species, including crested gibbons like the Southern White-cheeked Gibbon, native to Vietnam and Laos, and the critically endangered Eastern Black Crested Gibbon.
Protecting Vietnam’s Primates
Many of Vietnam’s primate species face significant threats, with 23 of the 25 taxa listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. Eleven species are classified as critically endangered, including five endemic to Vietnam. Poaching for traditional medicine, food, and the pet trade are major threats. Habitat destruction and fragmentation due to logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development also contribute to population declines.
Conservation initiatives are underway to protect these vulnerable populations. National parks and nature reserves, such as Van Long Nature Reserve, safeguard habitats and primate species like the Delacour’s langur. Organizations like the Endangered Primate Rescue Center play a role in rescue, rehabilitation, breeding, and research. International collaborations and community involvement are important in protection, enforcing laws, and promoting conservation education.