BirdLife International Vietnam Programme recently caught seven species on camera traps in Chu Yang Sin National Park (CYSNP), Dak Lak Province. The survey technique is a first for CYSNP. The traps are being used to improve biodiversity information of the national park as part of the 'Integrating Watershed and Biodiversity Management in Chu Yang Sin National Park' project.

During the first week of February eight camera traps were installed in the park, and after only one month upon first assessment, seven species were caught from 40 photos. These species include Sambar Cervus unicolor, Large-antlered Muntjac Muntiacus vuquangensis, Red Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak, Wild pig Sus scrofa, Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides, Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca nemestrina and Malayan Porcupine Hystrix brachyura.

Le Trong Trai, Senior Programme Officer, said that the camera traps produced a remarkable result, especially with the globally Endangered Giant Muntjac being caught by camera trap for the first time in Vietnam.

The overall goal of the project is to conserve the biodiversity attributes of Chu Yang Sin in the long term and develop integrated watershed and biodiversity management at a broader scale. The camera trapping hopes to detect animal species whose behaviour is enigmatic, and use the photos for biodiversity publications.