Saving the Critically Endangered Vietnam Pheasant

On the search for the Vietnam Pheasant

The Viet Nature Conservation Centre has been championing tirelessly for the conservation of this elusive bird, and together with its partners, developed the first Vietnam Pheasant Action Plan 2015 – 2020 which aims to protect remaining suitable habitats and ensure best genetic resources for the long-term persistence of Vietnam Pheasants by 2030.

Since 2019, Mandai Nature has supported Viet Nature and its partners in continuing this Action Plan through to 2025, as well as in field efforts such as the setting up of camera traps to search for remaining wild populations of Vietnam Pheasants and learn more about their ecology.  Viet Nature also continues to set groundwork operations for the first conservation breeding centre for the species in its historical range.  

Over 18,000 camera trap days were conducted in three key sites between 2019 and 2020. While no sightings of the Vietnam Pheasant were captured, three other globally threatened species – the Sambar, Sunda Pangolin and Annamite-striped Rabbit – were observed at one of the key sites, an encouraging indication of the recovery of fauna and habitat in the area. 

A long way home

Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park also houses three Vietnam Pheasants as part of the international studbook for the species, so that experts can scientifically manage animals under human care. This forms part of a longer-term Vietnam Pheasant Action Plan including the construction of an ex situ facility in Vietnam for conservation breeding and subsequent release of the birds to their native habitats. Together, these efforts aim to promote the Vietnam Pheasant as a flagship species for the conservation of the lowland forest ecosystems in Central Vietnam and for its biodiversity.