On May 20, 2026, coinciding with International Biodiversity Week, Tuyen Phu commune held an inauguration ceremony for two canopy bridges dedicated to Hatinh langurs in Thiet Son and Thuan Hoan villages. Just a few days after installation, images of langurs safely crossing the bridges were captured, proving that the collaborative efforts of local authorities, forest rangers, businesses, and the community are yielding positive results.
A Meaningful Gift during International Biodiversity Week
On May 20, 2026, in Tuyen Phu commune, Quang Tri province, the inauguration ceremony for two canopy bridges for Hatinh langurs took place in a solemn yet warm atmosphere. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the local government, forest ranger forces, the White-Shanked Douc Langur Conservation Team, HiVOOC Co., Ltd., and numerous local residents.
Choosing to hold the inauguration during International Biodiversity Week carries special significance, sending a powerful message about the locality’s commitment to protecting rare primates and preserving the biodiversity of their native forests.
Safe Bridges Amidst the Forest Canopies
The two canopy bridges were installed in Thiet Son and Thuan Hoan villages, which are vital habitats for the langur troops. Previously, due to habitat fragmentation caused by roads, the langurs were forced to come down to the ground to move between foraging areas, exposing them to risks such as traffic accidents and poaching.
The canopy bridges were created to solve this exact problem: providing safe aerial pathways that connect fragmented forest patches, thereby helping the langur troops expand their living territory and safely access food and water sources.
What brought the most joy to the conservationists was that shortly after installation, they recorded images of individual langurs safely crossing the bridges. This is vivid proof that the bridge design matches the species’ natural behavior and that the project is truly integrating into the daily life of the langur troops.
Power from Collaboration
The success of the project is the result of a multi-stakeholder partnership: the Tuyen Phu commune government facilitated policies and land clearance; the forest ranger force provided technical expertise, surveyed locations, and conducted monitoring; the Hatinh Langur Conservation Team directly monitored, protected, and installed the bridges; and HiVOOC Co., Ltd. partnered to offer professional, technical support and promote ecotourism closely linked to the conservation of this rare primate.
Towards a Sustainable Future
The Hatinh langur is a primate species endemic to Vietnam and Laos, listed among the endangered, precious, and rare species prioritized for protection. The story of a langur population living close to residential areas and being protected by the community itself is a rare conservation success story, highly praised by many experts.
The two canopy bridges in Thiet Son and Thuan Hoan are not just engineering structures for conservation, but also a symbol of the harmonious relationship between humans and nature, where community development goes hand in hand with the survival of precious wildlife. From these small bridges amidst the forest canopy today, hope for a sustainable future for the Hatinh langurs is being extended.
LE QUANG