Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Habitat Conservation Network Scientific Conservation Seminar

To strengthen communication and exchange among member units of the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Habitat Conservation Network, promote the standardization of monitoring for the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, and lay the foundation for its monitoring and conservation management, the "Scientific Conservation Seminar of the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Habitat Conservation Network" was held on June 7, 2024, in Conference Room 507 of the Eastern Himalaya Institute, Dali University. Initiated by the Secretariat of the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Habitat Conservation Network (comprising the Nature Conservancy, Eastern Himalaya Institute of Dali University, Shanshui Conservation Center, Yunnan Yunlong Tianchi National Nature Reserve Administration, Yunnan Green Environment Development Foundation, and SEE Foundation), the seminar was hosted by the Eastern Himalaya Institute of Dali University. A total of 33 grassroots conservation leaders and patrollers from 14 conservation member units of the network participated in the meeting.

The seminar was hosted by Teacher Jia Yuan from the Yunnan Green Environment Development Foundation, with an opening speech delivered by Director Xu Huiming from the Yunnan Yunlong Tianchi National Nature Reserve Administration. After self-introductions by the participating members, the seminar officially began. The first half of the seminar focused on sharing monitoring and patrol plans for Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys in each protected area, with group discussions and sharing sessions, as well as lectures on monitoring techniques for Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys. The second half centered on monitoring techniques, data sharing, and future monitoring plans, with sessions on infrared camera technology, discussions on monitoring techniques for Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, and lectures on the relationship between infrared camera technology and species networks.

First of all,the group discussion and sharing session saw each group sharing their experiences regarding monitoring and patrol plans, contents, personnel, challenges, and difficulties. Members from various protected areas introduced "tricks" used by their teams to improve work efficiency, such as increasing incentive mechanisms for forest rangers and sponsoring activities. During the discussion, team members actively communicated and exchanged ideas, gradually learning more methods to improve monitoring efficiency through question-and-answer sessions and deepening their understanding of patrols, monitoring, and conservation.

After the group discussions, Researcher Huang Zhipang from the Eastern Himalaya Institute shared the current status and issues of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey monitoring. Based on the Monitoring Technical Guidelines for Rare and Endangered Wild Animals issued by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, he sorted through the monitoring technical plan for Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys and suggested distinguishing between special monitoring and routine monitoring. He believed that most current monitoring of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys falls under routine monitoring, with protected areas lacking systematic planning and implementation for special monitoring tasks such as population dynamics, distribution range, habitat changes, and threatening factors. The current monitoring work cannot support assessments of conservation effectiveness for Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys. Reviewing the monitoring work of various protected areas, Researcher Huang pointed out the difficulties and problems faced in the current monitoring and conservation of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, recommending that protected areas prioritize special monitoring of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, supplemented by routine patrols and monitoring, to effectively assess conservation effectiveness.

The second half of the seminar focused on sharing and exchanging monitoring techniques, data ideas, and future monitoring plans. First, Li Junjie from the Eastern Himalaya Institute shared methods for infrared camera deployment, detailing deployment standards, precautions, and new photo sorting tools based on his years of experience. Participants showed great enthusiasm for this technical sharing. After a short break, the seminar resumed with intense discussions on monitoring techniques for Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, with each group comprehensively exchanging monitoring methods, existing problems, and best practices. Subsequently, Li Qian, a research assistant at the Eastern Himalaya Institute, presented a new idea on "Applying Infrared Camera Monitoring Data to Construct Habitat Species Network Relationships," providing participants with a new direction for conservation management based on species spatial relationships. Finally, the seminar collected and analyzed existing needs identified during the conservation efforts of member units, concluding that "improving the treatment and capabilities of forest rangers" and "increasing their external communication" are the most urgent issues to address.

As the ancients said, "Victory belongs to those who share the same desire." This Scientific Conservation Seminar of the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Habitat Conservation Network clarified the goals, basis, and standards for future monitoring of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, addressing prominent issues such as unclear monitoring objectives and contents, inconsistent monitoring techniques and methods, and irregular monitoring data management during conservation practices. It provided a clear understanding of the current status and issues of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey monitoring among units within the conservation network and outlined future monitoring plans. The seminar laid a solid foundation for the conservation strategy upgrade of the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey Habitat Conservation Network, the standardization of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey monitoring, and conservation management.