The Babbler 26 - Birdlife International in Indochina

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BirdLife International in Indochina A new species of Stachyris from the Sino-Vietnamese border Zhou Fang and Jiang Aiwu of the College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China have recently described a new species of babbler they have named Stachyris nonggangensis, the Nonggang Babbler 1 . Nonggang Natural Reserve is located in the Sino‐Vietnamese border region at 22°13′–22°34′N, 106°42′– 107°05′E, 18 km south‐east of the Vietnamese border. On 21 January 2006, they trapped two individuals. Subsequent investigation showed that the specimens belonged to a previously undescribed species, closely related to the Sooty Babbler Stachyris herberti. Top: A lateral comparison of the Nonggnang Babbler Stachyris nonggangensis (above) and the Sooty Babbler Stachyris herberti (below). The white chevron‐shaped throat markings of Stachyris nonggangensis can be seen in the photograph below. Photos: Zhou Fang and Jiang Aiwu 1 Zhou Fang and Jiang Aiwu 2008 A New Species of Babbler (Timaliidae: Stachyris) from the Sino‐Vietnamese Border Region of China. The Auk 125(2):420–424, 2008 It is inconceivable that this species does not occur in either Lang Son or Cao Bang provinces in Vietnam, since the type locality lies only 18 km from the Sino-Vietnamese border. The Babbler June 2008 – 24 – Ed.
BirdLife International in Indochina Conservation needs of the dugong Dugong dugon in Cambodia and Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam Research was recently conducted to assess the location of population groups and conservation issues affecting dugongs Dugong dugon along the eastern Gulf of Thailand off Cambodia and Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. Interviews in fishing communities in 2002 and 2004 along the Cambodian coast revealed that dugongs are sporadically found in fishing nets and their body parts are sold for a relatively large profit. During 4 days of aerial surveys in Cambodia in 2004 the authors saw no dugongs. They interviewed villagers in Phu Quoc Island, in 2002 and learnt that dugongs are regularly found and hunted. In both countries the authors recommend that legislation addressing threatened species be strengthened and enforced. In collaboration with the Cambodian and Vietnamese governments and NGOs, they propose the exploration of alternative nondestructive fishing methods and the initiation of an education campaign based on conservation of marine wildlife and the nearshore environment. National and transboundary management and community‐based conservation are required in conjunction with strategies to address overfishing and poverty. Hines, H., Kanjana Adulyanukosol, Phay Somany, Leng Sam Ath, Cox, N., Potchana Boonyanate and Nguyen Xuan Hoa 2008 Oryx Vol. 42. (1): 113‐121. Seventy Irrawaddy Dolphins remain on Mekong River in Cambodia Cambodia’s only freshwater dolphin is the Irrawaddy river dolphin Orcaella brevirostris found in the Mekong River. To clarify the abundance status of this critically endangered subpopulation, mark and recapture photo‐ identification surveys were conducted in the low water months of April and May 2007, from the 17th to the 25th of April and the 21st to the 29th of May. These surveys were conducted by boat on the Mekong River, along the 190 km stretch of river extending from Kratie to the southern boarder of Laos. A total search effort of 139 hours and 32 minutes was conducted. Dolphins were observed and photographed for a total of 41 hrs and 01 minute. A total of 61 dolphins were identified. The MARK statistical programme, using a closed population model, produced a total abundance estimate of 71 (95% CI = 66‐86) dolphins as at end May 2007. Dove, V., Dove, D., Trujillo, F. and Zanre, R. 2008. Abundance estimation of the Mekong Irrawaddy dolphin Orcaella brevirostris based on mark and recapture analysis of photoidentified individuals. WWF Cambodia Technical Report. Three of the remaining 70 Irrawaddy Dolphins Orcaella brevirostris in the Cambodian Mekong River. Photo: J C Eames The Babbler June 2008 – 25 –
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The Babbler 26 - Birdlife International in Indochina

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