Wildlife Conservation Programs at Cuc Phuong National Park
About Cuc Phuong: Vietnam's Premier Nature Reserve
Cuc Phuong National Park is Vietnam's first and most renowned nature reserve. Known as a "living museum," the park plays a vital role in ecotourism and environmental education. Each year, thousands of students and young travelers visit Cuc Phuong to learn about nature and biodiversity conservation through immersive tours and inspirational storytelling by experienced guides.
Through real-life visits and engaging narratives, visitors are educated about wildlife protection, endangered species rescue, and environmental stewardship—fostering a deeper love and respect for nature.
Currently, Cuc Phuong is home to over 2,700 individuals from 64 rare and endangered wildlife species, protected and rehabilitated under its signature conservation programs:
- Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC)
- Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP)
- Turtle Conservation Center (TCC)
- Additional programs for deer, pheasants, monkeys, and other native wildlife
Note: Visitors wishing to tour these conservation centers must be accompanied by a park guide.
Delacour's Langur – an endangered primate species endemic to Vietnam, first discovered in Cuc Phuong.
Endangered Primate Rescue Center (EPRC)
EPRC is the first center of its kind in Indochina and the largest primate rescue center in Vietnam. Its mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and conserve rare and endangered primates native to Vietnam, while conducting ecological research for future rewilding.
At the center, visitors can meet the critically endangered Delacour's langur, endemic to Vietnam, and the stunning Red-shanked Douc langur, dubbed the "Queen of Primates." Visitors are not only captivated by the beauty and playful behavior of the primates but also by the moving stories behind their rescue from illegal trafficking and the determined efforts by the Cuc Phuong staff to bring them back to health.
Fun fact: Each rescued primate has a unique name and story—meet "Ham," "Beo," "Mafia," or even "Ronaldo"—names affectionately given by the caretakers.
The endangered Sunda Pangolin is being protected at Cuc Phuong.
Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Program (CPCP)
This is Vietnam's first Carnivore and Pangolin Education Center, operated by Save Vietnam's Wildlife in collaboration with Cuc Phuong National Park. The program rescues, studies, and breeds small carnivores and pangolins in captivity to preserve their populations.
Don't miss the Pangolin Education House, which recreates the illegal hunting and trade of pangolins and narrates their inspiring rescue and recovery journey. Visitors can also meet the "education ambassadors"—animals that can no longer be released into the wild due to health or behavioral challenges. Their stories promote compassion and awareness about the threats facing wildlife in Vietnam.
Endangered turtles in their natural habitat
Turtle Conservation Center (TCC)
Founded in 1988 with support from Fauna & Flora International (FFI), the TCC is the only program in Vietnam dedicated to freshwater and terrestrial turtle conservation. Since 2001, the center has been operated by Cuc Phuong in collaboration with the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) and the Indo-Myanmar Conservation (IMC).
Its mission is to rescue and conserve Vietnam and Asia's most threatened turtle species, combating poaching, trafficking, and habitat loss. Currently, the center houses nearly 2,000 individuals from 35 species, including the Annam leaf turtle, Bourret's box turtle, yellow-headed temple turtle, and four-eyed turtle.
Visitors can observe rare turtle species up close and learn about their biology, conservation challenges, and habitats. Guided tours help raise awareness and spread the message: protect Vietnam's turtles before it's too late.
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Rare plant species in Cuc Phuong Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden – Discovering Vietnam's Plant Biodiversity
Beyond animal conservation, Cuc Phuong is also home to thousands of plant species, making it a vital part of Vietnam's ecological heritage. The botanical garden showcases tropical ecosystems on limestone mountains, valleys, and forested hills.
Walking through the garden, visitors will uncover the hidden world of plant life—where competition for sunlight and survival is as fierce as in the animal kingdom. With every leaf and branch, nature tells a story of adaptation and resilience.
Exhibition area at Cuc Phuong Museum
Cuc Phuong Museum
After nearly 50 years of establishment and development, the Cuc Phuong Museum currently houses around 13,000 specimens of plants and fungi; 450 specimens of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians; 4,000 insect specimens; and 300 samples of minerals, fossils, and archaeological artifacts. This collection is among the most prominent within the system of national parks and nature reserves in Vietnam.
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