In the previous trips to Cuc Phuong National Park, our tour group had a great opportunity to observe a gorgeous silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) passing the road and a Tonkin bug-eyed (Theloderma corticale) clinging to a rock.
They are all classified as “Least concern” by the IUCN. However, these creatures are not easy to discover in the wild. There are several reasons for this, including:
Wide distribution but low numbers: the animal may be found in different locations, but the total population is just a few tens of thousands.
Elusive lifestyles—“They just don’t like attention”: the animals choose to stick to remote areas and only appear when no one is around bothering them.
They live where humans hesitate to go: some animals inhabit secluded regions that are not highly frequented by human activities.
Just because a species isn’t endangered yet doesn’t mean it doesn’t need protection. Many species suffer from a plethora of threats such as habitat loss, gradual population decline, illegal hunting, pet trade, etc. By the time they reach the “Vulnerable” list, it may be too late! Silver pheasant and tonkin bug-eyed frog are not exceptions as their populations are showing declining trends [1][2].
Thus, it is essential that we should not just focus solely on the famous endangered species but also look at the bigger picture and protect the environment for all living creatures—no matter their conservation status!
REFERENCES
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- BirdLife International. 2016. Lophura nycthemera. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679220A92808107. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679220A92808107.en. Accessed on 28 March 2025.
- IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2022. Theloderma corticale. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T219709082A219667057. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T219709082A219667057.en. Accessed on 28 March 2025.
LE QUANG